Removal and prevention of bacterial growth in fuel tanks and systems often requires the removal of water from the tank, filtration and/or treatment of the tank with biocide additives.

Intertek PARC laboratory (Pittsburgh USA) photographs show visual evidence of damaging bacteria growth in fuel tanks. The findings orginate from a client fuel condition monitoring program. The photos show the results of a bacterial infection in a gasoline station pumping system after only 6 months.

Both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria can grow under these fuel tank conditions.  Undetected or untreated bacterial growth in fuel systems can eventually lead to fuel quality degradation, gas-station and vehicle corrosion, and fuel-system problems. Bacteria and fungal problems can affect fuel and fuel-systems for diesel, jet and other fuels.

Intertek fuel testing laboratories across the world are able to detect and measure fuel degradation caused by bacteria and other problems. Laboratories like Intertek PARC also offer fuel condition monitoring services to help clients protect their fuel inventories and fuel-systems.

Photograph showing corrosion damage of a fuel tank system due to bacteriological infestation. The damage was caused in just six months.