In Episode 73 of the Fuel Pulse Show podcast, host Erik Bjornstad tackles a common misconception in fuel storage management: that quick turn fuel systems are immune to microbial contamination.

He explains how microbes can flourish in both slow turn (fuel stored for months or years) and quick turn systems (fuel cycled within days or weeks), as contamination resides not just in the fuel but in biofilms on tank surfaces.

The episode outlines practical steps to prevent and address microbial growth including regular sampling, biannual testing, water removal, and proper biocide treatment with EPA-registered products.

• The difference between quick turn (high turn) and slow turn (low turn) fuel storage
• Why quick turn fuel tanks are not immune to microbial contamination
• How microbes establish biofilms on tank surfaces regardless of fuel turnover rate
• The consequences of ignoring microbial contamination (clogged filters, tank corrosion)
• Practical steps to prevent and address microbial growth in fuel storage systems
• Why water removal alone is insufficient to eliminate established microbial contamination
• The importance of using EPA-registered biocides for effective treatment

Here are three notable quotes from the podcast episode:

• "The issue isn't just the fuel, the issue's also with the tank and the storage system itself... The chance of problems developing does not rest simply on the fact that the fuel gets used up and keeps getting changed quickly. It matters more that the tank itself does not change."
• "Microbial contamination doesn't need the same fuel sitting in there undisturbed for months... All it needs is water and opportunity, and that they're going to get that both in a quick turn and a slow turn situation."
• "The reality is that simply removing the water out of a system will not eliminate microbial contamination if microbial contamination is established in your tank. It will not go away simply if you remove the water. That is a myth that has had been held over from multiple decades in the past."

• Bell Performance testing kit
• Bellicide
• Erik Bjornstad: LinkedIn

[00:00:00] Introduction to the Fuel Pulse Show podcast and host Erik Bjornstad
[00:01:00] Overview of businesses that rely on stored fuel (police, fire, utilities, telecoms, data centers, hospitals, fleets, agriculture)
[00:02:00] Seasonal shifts in fuel management concerns from winter to spring/summer
[00:03:00] Definition of quick turn (high turn) fuel users - fuel moves quickly through tanks
[00:04:00] Introduction to the myth that microbial problems don't affect high turn fuel
[00:05:00] Explanation of why quick turn fuel is not immune to microbial contamination
[00:07:00] Examples of businesses using stored fuel and importance of fuel quality
[00:08:00] Detailed explanation of low turn vs. high turn fuel usage patterns
[00:10:00] Discussion of common misconception about quick turn fuel and microbes
[00:12:00] Key insight: microbial contamination exists on tank surfaces, not just in fuel
[00:14:00] How biofilms form and persist regardless of fuel turnover
[00:15:00] How fuel drops can stir up and spread existing microbial contamination
[00:17:00] Consequences of ignoring microbial contamination: clogged filters and tank corrosion
[00:19:00] How to prevent microbial problems in quick turn tanks
[00:21:00] Step 1: Regular fuel sampling with proper equipment (bacon bomb sampler)
[00:23:00] Step 2: Biannual microbial testing using TP by filtration method
[00:24:00] Step 3: Water removal and biocide treatment if contamination is found
[00:26:00] Importance of using EPA-registered biocides for effective treatment
[00:28:00] Closing remarks and subscription information

Erik Bjornstad continues the discussion on diagnosing generator problems, focusing on when and how to test fuel before accepting a technician's diagnosis that "bad fuel" is causing your generator failures.

The episode covers proper fuel testing procedures, sampling techniques, visual inspection clues, and how to interpret lab results to save potentially thousands in unnecessary fuel replacement costs.

Erik emphasizes the value of proper diagnostics and consulting with true fuel experts when generator technicians (who often lack fuel expertise) blame fuel quality for system issues.

• Why generator service technicians often blame fuel for problems when they can't find mechanical issues
• The specific properties of diesel fuel that can legitimately cause generator problems (flashpoint, cetane rating, viscosity, lubricity)
• How to properly sample fuel for testing without contaminating the sample
• Why pulling samples from the "dead bottom" of tanks provides misleading results
• How to use a "bacon bomb" fuel sampler to get diagnostically functional samples
• What visual inspection can (and cannot) tell you about fuel quality
• Why gasoline contamination in diesel is hazardous
• Which laboratory tests provide the most valuable diagnostic information
• How to interpret fuel test results to make informed decisions
• When to consider consulting with a specialized fuel expert

Here are three notable quotes from the podcast episode:

• "Most of the generator service technicians, they know a lot about generators. They do not know that much about fuel. Most of them that conclude that the condition has to be due to a fuel problem, they don't really know enough to say that for sure, to make that diagnosis for sure."
• "Before you commit to dumping thousands of dollars worth of stored fuel over a technician's hunch like this, you need to take some diagnostic steps to confirm whether the fuel actually is bad and is causing the problems that they think it is."
• "If all of the tests come back in spec, then that means your fuel's normal. Your fuel meets the minimum requirements in all of the areas that have been determined by the industry to have to do with supporting the minimum operating functions of your engine and your generator and not contributing to component damage."
  
  

• Bell Performance testing kits
• ASTM D975 specifications
• Erik Bjornstad: LinkedIn

[00:00:00] Introduction and recap of Part 1
[00:02:00] Why generator technicians blame fuel problems
[00:04:00] What kinds of problems can out-of-spec fuel cause?
[00:05:00] Combustion characteristics and their impact
[00:06:00] Fuel lubricity ratings and biodiesel impact
[00:07:00] Particulate contaminants and filter problems
[00:08:00] Real-world example: municipality generator problems
[00:10:00] Debunking filter damage claims from fuel
[00:11:00] EPA registration of fuel treatments
[00:13:00] Importance of fuel testing
[00:14:00] Third-party laboratory testing explained
[00:15:00] Which tests to use based on suspected problems
[00:17:00] Proper fuel sampling techniques
[00:20:00] Using a "bacon bomb" fuel sampler
[00:22:00] Visual inspection - clear and bright fuel
[00:24:00] Gasoline contamination in diesel fuel
[00:26:00] ASTM mission-critical test slate
[00:29:00] Understanding fuel test results
[00:31:00] When to consult mechanical experts
[00:33:00] Closing remarks and contact information

This episode explores common generator problems and challenges the automatic assumption that fuel is always to blame. Erik Bjornstad outlines a systematic approach to diagnosing generator issues, presenting four key diagnostic steps: checking fuel filters, examining fuel lines, inspecting valves, and looking for additional filters.

The episode emphasizes the importance of proper diagnosis to avoid unnecessary expensive solutions like fuel disposal or part replacement.

Special attention is given to detecting microbial contamination through various signs and testing methods. The host stresses that while fuel can be the culprit, other factors should be investigated before reaching that conclusion.

• The systematic approach to diagnosing generator problems
• Four key diagnostic steps for troubleshooting generator issues
• How to identify signs of microbial contamination in fuel systems
• The true costs associated with fuel disposal and system repairs
• Why fuel isn't always the culprit in generator failures
• Methods for testing and confirming microbial contamination
• The importance of proper diagnosis before expensive solutions

Here are three notable quotes from the podcast episode:

• "The fuel is bad isn't actually the right answer to the problem."

• "If you have evidence of microbial contamination, it's never a question of if it's going to lead to a future problem. It is always a question of when is that going to happen."

• "Most of the generator service technicians who conclude that the condition's due to a fuel problem, they actually don't know that much about fuel, but they'll blame the fuel anyway because it's the easiest thing to do."

• Bell Performance testing kits
• ASTM D975 specifications
• Erik Bjornstad: LinkedIn

[00:00:00] - Show introduction and overview
[00:01:00] - Discussion of seasonal fuel challenges
[00:02:00] - Introduction to generator problems and fuel blame
[00:04:00] - Common scenario of generator service technician diagnosis
[00:06:00] - Why technicians often blame fuel problems
[00:08:00] - Cost implications of fuel disposal
[00:12:00] - Diagnostic Step 1: Checking fuel filters
[00:15:00] - Diagnostic Step 2: Checking fuel lines
[00:17:00] - Diagnostic Step 3: Examining valves
[00:18:00] - Diagnostic Step 4: Third filter inspection
[00:20:00] - Discussion of microbial contamination
[00:22:00] - Five signs of microbial growth
[00:24:00] - Testing methods for contamination
[00:26:00] - Preview of part 2
[00:28:00] - Closing remarks and subscription information