1. Jeopardized tank walls
2. Weakened tank and dispenser components such as pumps, pipes, seals, and
gauges
3. Formation of bio-film within a tank
Microbially-induced corrosion translates to bad news in many different ways. Fuel tanks
and the fuel within them are susceptible to this damage first and foremost by water.
One of the easiest ways to protect your fuel supply is to keep water out of your sumps.
Water allows for microbial growth, generating bacteria and fungus which feast on,
among other things, the inner lining of a tank. And with tank walls compromised, leaks
can certainly follow—potentially devastating leaks.
But tank walls aren’t the only areas being attacked by microorganisms: every surface
and component of the tank is as well. By attaching to tank pumps, pipes, seals, and
gauges, further corrosion is induced and essential parts of a tank ruined. And once
ruined, these items either get replaced or dispensers are bagged off and pumps shut
down.
Microorganisms are also capable of forming what is called a bio-film. This bio-
film—another form of corrosion actually—is incredibly damaging to any surfaces onto
which it attaches. On metal pipes and pumps, bio-film secretions bond to any
vulnerable surface, producing an acidic waste that not only acidifies the fuel, but also
corrodes all metal ancillary equipment as well. Yes, microbially-induced corrosion is a
terrible phenomenon. And if left untreated, it can and will completely shut down your
site.
Fortunately, Clean Fuels National knows how to combat this microbial destruction. We
recommend and can provide treatment with appropriate microbe-killing biocide, knowing
full well which biocide will work best in any situation. Further, it isn’t enough to simply
kill the microorganisms in the fuel. The fallout from the dead bacteria and the remnants
of the bio-film will endlessly clog filters and, therefore, must be removed from the tank.
This is why after each biocide treatment we advise an aggressive agitation and
thorough filtration of the entire contents of the tank.
But even a single biocide treatment will not guarantee microbial damage will not persist.
Clean Fuels National has created a maintenance and housekeeping checklist for our
customers, outlining the best practices to keep moisture from causing microbial-induced
corrosion in the future. Please contact us at 260-346-2500 and we will be happy to
discuss our maintenance, housekeeping schedule with you.