Kerosene vs Diesels
There is a difference in the makeup of the typical profile of microbes in kerosene vs diesels.
In kerosene, Hormoconis resinae (H.res) is seen as an indicator species as it is present in about 95% of cases of contamination (along with a number of other bacteria and fungi). Unlike diesel, the fewer micro-organisms involved, have a more consistent growth pattern.
In diesel fuels H.res is only present in about 70% of cases of contamination (along with a larger number of bacteria and fungi). This is because the H.res microbe is often out competed for its food source by many of the other organisms. Unlike kerosene, H.res is not seen as an indicator species, but works as part of a consortium with growth rates being less consistent.
In both fuels H.res is still seen to be the most dangerous organism because of its ability to attach itself to the tank structure and cause corrosion and filter blockages.
Conidia’s original Fuelstat™ resinae Test for aviation kerosene detects contamination by looking forH.res activity. However, as this only gives a partial answer in diesel we need to look for the wider range of microbes to give the user a full and accurate answer.
In both kerosene and diesel, any FREE WATER present is the natural environment for the ‘Bugs’ to grow and should be tested before the fuel itself. The is due to the Free Water phase containing around a thousand times more ‘Bugs’ than the fuel.
