Biocide, Diesel Storage

1TDI4Me · **Posted:** Sun Mar 25, 2007 11:53 pm

I live in a place blessed with room and people who mind their own and stay out of mine. As such, nobody cares that I store a couple thousand gallons of diesel
fuel. Nice to buy in bulk when you see prices fluctuate.
Anyways, I've never been able to get an intelligent answer to the problem of algae growth in storage tanks. One of my tanks is below ground, therefore
cooler and a stable temp, so less of a concern. I just found a new above ground tank that was very inexpensive so I bought it and filled it up. This one will get direct sun til noon and will be a bigger concern for algae growth as summer wears on.
Anyone know how to treat this with biocide? What to use and how much per 100? All my savings would surely be a costly mistake if I can't control this.
Thanks.

retmil46 · **Posted:** Mon Mar 26, 2007 12:15 am

Doseage is usually listed on the bottle, X amount per 100 or 1000 gallons, and listed for an initial treatment doseage and then a maintenance doseage (usually half the amount for initial treatment).

Any decent truck stop or service center (ie, local Cat/Fleetguard dealer), or marine hardware/equipment store should carry the stuff.

Stuff I use from West Marine, initial dose is 1 oz per 30 gallons, and then 1/2 oz per 30 gallons for maintenance. Unless you've got a truly HUGE tank (1000's of gallons), a 16 oz bottle should last you a while.

DocB · **Posted:** Mon Mar 26, 2007 12:22 am

Hey 1, take a look at this stuff.
Tell me what you think.
I recommended a friend of mine look into it for marine application.

Pri-ocide also might be for you.

CHessMaster · **Posted:** Mon Mar 26, 2007 12:36 am

It's a common misconception that bacteria/mold/yeast will grow freely in diesel fuel.
The problem you need to look out for is water getting in the tank. There will be a little water from condensation as the tank vents, but make sure that rainwater doesn't get in. Organisms will only grow in diesel/kerosene if there is a water supply. It eats the petroleum, but needs water to survive just like all plants. It will only grow in the water/diesel line. Keep the water out, sump the tank periodically if you can, and then you will keep the growth out too.

Having said all that, it only takes a little biocide to keep the organisms out if you can't keep the water out of the tank.

Edited: Replaced "algae" with "bacteria/mold/yeast" and "organisms" as per what I learned as stated in a later post in this thread

oldnavy · **Posted:** Mon Mar 26, 2007 9:37 am

CHessMaster wrote:

It's a common misconception that algae will grow freely in diesel fuel.
The problem you need to look out for is water getting in the tank. There will be a little water from condensation as the tank vents, but make sure that rainwater doesn't get in. Algae will only grow in diesel/kerosene if there is a water supply. It eats the petroleum, but needs water to survive just like all plants. It will only grow in the water/diesel line. Keep the water out, sump the tank periodically if you can, and then you will keep the growth out too.

Having said all that, it only takes a little biocide to keep the algae out if you can't keep the water out of the tank.

All that is true, but bactria growth is common in strored diesel and does not need water as it grows in the paraffin. Never much of a problem in D1 as it has little or no paraffin.

Now all that said, you have to use a water absorber in the venting system or use a healthy dose of biocide and then do the bottom drain on regular basis to keep the water out. At fueling stations with above ground storage tanks it is an EPA requirement to have the drain pit to prevent spills when draining off water build up and the settled crap. This is why above ground tanks are really better for fuel storage, it is easier to remove water and crap from bottom of the tank and you know it quick like if your tank starts leaking, unlike under ground tanks. Also no pumping equippment to buy.

BiodieselJeep.com · **Posted:** Mon Mar 26, 2007 3:03 pm

Is there a drain on the bottom of the diesel tanks in our CRD? I seem to rmember more of those in the old days...

Sure wish there was one on this old TDI I'm buying.

CHessMaster · **Posted:** Mon Mar 26, 2007 4:52 pm

oldnavy wrote:

bactria growth is common in strored diesel and does not need water as it grows in the paraffin. Never much of a problem in D1 as it has little or no paraffin.

May I humbly ask for a reference to support your premise. :oops:

I have never heard this before.

oldnavy · **Posted:** Mon Mar 26, 2007 5:43 pm

CHessMaster wrote:

oldnavy wrote:

bactria growth is common in strored diesel and does not need water as it grows in the paraffin. Never much of a problem in D1 as it has little or no paraffin.

May I humbly ask for a reference to support your premise. :oops:

I have never heard this before.

You may, but I not. Too many other irons in the fire, but just remember I'm human and getting on in years and may be remembering wrong. But I don't think so.

Look up algae & bacteria growth in diesel, they are two different critters. I suggest you tr Google.

BVCRD · **Posted:** Mon Mar 26, 2007 5:54 pm

1TDI4Me wrote:

I live in a place blessed with room and people who mind their own and stay out of mine. As such, nobody cares that I store a couple thousand gallons of diesel
fuel. Nice to buy in bulk when you see prices fluctuate.
Anyways, I've never been able to get an intelligent answer to the problem of algae growth in storage tanks. One of my tanks is below ground, therefore
cooler and a stable temp, so less of a concern. I just found a new above ground tank that was very inexpensive so I bought it and filled it up. This one will get direct sun til noon and will be a bigger concern for algae growth as summer wears on.
Anyone know how to treat this with biocide? What to use and how much per 100? All my savings would surely be a costly mistake if I can't control this.
Thanks.

Power Service makes a biocide that I use. Directions on the jug. Say hello to Mark Furman.

CHessMaster · **Posted:** Mon Mar 26, 2007 6:14 pm

oldnavy wrote:

Look up algae & bacteria growth in diesel, they are two different critters. I suggest you tr Google.

I did, and could not find anything related concerning paraffin. :cry:

oldnavy · **Posted:** Mon Mar 26, 2007 6:21 pm

CHessMaster wrote:

oldnavy wrote:

Look up algae & bacteria growth in diesel, they are two different critters. I suggest you tr Google.

I did, and could not find anything related concerning paraffin. :cry:

A starter link for you.

oldnavy · **Posted:** Mon Mar 26, 2007 6:28 pm

Algae

Bacteria

CHessMaster · **Posted:** Mon Mar 26, 2007 8:20 pm

As per the following article:
http://www.americancleanenergysystems.com/news.php?id=1

Quote:

It is common for all stared fuel oils (JP fuels i.e.: jet fuel, No. 2 diesel, as well as No. 4 and No, 6 fuel oils), to be contaminated with bacteria (Pseudomonas), fungi in a form of mold (Cladosparium Resinae and Candida Trapicalis), and yeast.

Microorganisms need water to grow and use the hydrocarbons in the fuels as their main source of energy. The fuel/water interaction is the ideal environment for bacterial growth and the area where bacterial contamination is most noticeable.

Moisture is what bacteria, fungus, and yeast live in. But like any organism, it needs food and proper environment to survive, Wet, dark and cold places are just perfect.

Microorganisms need water to grow and use the hydrocarbons in the fuels as their main source of energy. The fuel/water interaction is the ideal environment for bacterial growth and the area where bacterial contamination is most noticeable.

I did learn in my searching that "algae" does not live in the fuel. It is the above stated organisms. It looks like algae, but is mold....

There are many other sources I could quote, but this seems the most clear and to the point.

oldnavy · **Posted:** Mon Mar 26, 2007 11:14 pm

CHessMaster wrote:

As per the following article:
http://www.americancleanenergysystems.com/news.php?id=1

Quote:

It is common for all stared fuel oils (JP fuels i.e.: jet fuel, No. 2 diesel, as well as No. 4 and No, 6 fuel oils), to be contaminated with bacteria (Pseudomonas), fungi in a form of mold (Cladosparium Resinae and Candida Trapicalis), and yeast.

Microorganisms need water to grow and use the hydrocarbons in the fuels as their main source of energy. The fuel/water interaction is the ideal environment for bacterial growth and the area where bacterial contamination is most noticeable.

Moisture is what bacteria, fungus, and yeast live in. But like any organism, it needs food and proper environment to survive, Wet, dark and cold places are just perfect.

Microorganisms need water to grow and use the hydrocarbons in the fuels as their main source of energy. The fuel/water interaction is the ideal environment for bacterial growth and the area where bacterial contamination is most noticeable.

I did learn in my searching that "algae" does not live in the fuel. It is the above stated organisms. It looks like algae, but is mold....

There are many other sources I could quote, but this seems the most clear and to the point.

Now there you go, that is what I was trying to remember. I think the paraffin helps with the growth of the bacteria and is the main food stuff witin the fuel. One has to remember there is always water in the fuel, that is the problem.

1TDI4Me · **Posted:** Mon Mar 26, 2007 11:47 pm

Nice to see OldNavy chime in. A trusted voice from the TDI forum.
Sounds like I will try to find the Power Service stuff since it's a common enough name
it should Google well. Not too much demand for diesel powered marine equipment
on the lower Snake River. One would need to get to a big lake 500 miles north of here to
possibly see one.
BVCRD- Maybe Mark Furhman has one on Pend Orielle. Btw, How's
the Harris/Klebold memorial comming along?

BVCRD · **Posted:** Tue Mar 27, 2007 8:40 am

1TDI4Me wrote:

Nice to see OldNavy chime in. A trusted voice from the TDI forum.
Sounds like I will try to find the Power Service stuff since it's a common enough name
it should Google well. Not too much demand for diesel powered marine equipment
on the lower Snake River. One would need to get to a big lake 500 miles north of here to
possibly see one.
BVCRD- Maybe Mark Furhman has one on Pend Orielle. Btw, How's
the Harris/Klebold memorial comming along?

I had heard sometime back that Mark was up there with you boys. I ordered the PS bio from a vender in Missouri. He also sells a bio fuel maker settup. He has the smaller jug, which will last me about 2 years in my CRD, or the gallon jugs like you need. Guy is in Nixa, MO and does Paypal. Columbine Memorial is getting under way. Weather has cleared now. Should be done this summer. http://www.allamericanbiofuels.com/index.html

KJbob · **Posted:** Tue Mar 27, 2007 10:39 am

1TDI4Me wrote:

Btw, How's the Harris/Klebold memorial comming along?

Priceless! :lol:

Biocide, Diesel Storage

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