What is fuel polishing and why you might need it?

Fuel polishing is one of the most crucial yet overlooked processes of fuel maintenance – It involves cleaning and restoring diesel fuel to its optimal condition. This process is typically performed on fuel that has sat in storage for an extended period of time, which can cause an accumulation of sediment, water, and other impurities. Fuel polishing is essential for maintaining the performance and efficiency of systems/engines that rely on clean, high-quality fuel.

In this blog we will discuss the importance of fuel polishing and how it can benefit your equipment.

Why is fuel polishing important?

Clean, high-quality fuel is essential for many critical emergency systems to run smoothly, efficiently, and reliably. However, when fuel sits in storage for an extended period of time, it can accumulate water and other impurities, leading to a reduction in fuel quality, and potentially blocking your equipment/generators.

Water in fuel can lead to several problems that will effect your equipment, including the growth of bacteria and fungi, corrosion of metal surfaces, and the build-up of harmful acids. Water can also cause the fuel to separate, resulting in the collection of sludge and sediment at the bottom of the storage tank. This sediment will clog filters, injectors, and other critical engine components, leading to reduced performance and efficiency.

Fuel polishing is the process of removing water and other impurities from stored fuel, ensuring that the fuel remains clean and ready to use at any given moment. By removing sediment, water, and other contaminants, fuel polishing can help to improve the performance and reliability of engines. This in turn reduces downtime and maintenance costs and extends the lifespan of the equipment.

How does fuel polishing work?

Fuel polishing typically involves several steps, including filtering, polishing, and treating the fuel. The process begins by filtering the fuel to remove any large particles and sediment that may be present in the fuel. The fuel is then polished by passing it through a series of increasingly fine filters, which remove smaller impurities and water droplets.

Finally, the fuel may be treated with additives to improve its stability and reduce the growth of bacteria and fungi. These additives may include biocides, antioxidants, and other chemicals that can help to maintain the quality of the fuel over time.

At BMS we work very closely with Fleury Engineering to supply and install effective and affordable fuel polishing solutions. Automated systems ensure that fuel is circulated and filtered at pre-determined intervals, removing residual contaminants, and maintaining clean and healthy fuel.

What are the benefits of fuel polishing?

There are several benefits to fuel polishing, including:

Improved fuel system performance and efficiency: Fuel polishing can help to remove impurities that can clog filters, injectors, and other critical engine components, improving the engine’s performance and efficiency.

Reduced maintenance costs: By removing sediment and other impurities from the fuel, the lifespan of critical system components will be extended, reducing the need for costly repairs and maintenance.

Increased reliability: By maintaining the quality of the fuel, system downtime will be prevented, and ensures that all the equipment remains reliable and operational.

Extended lifespan of fuel: Fuel polishing can help to extend the lifespan of stored fuel by removing water and other contaminants that can degrade the fuel quality over time.

Bad Fuel vs Good Fuel

So… Do you need your fuel polished?

Fuel polishing is an essential process for maintaining the quality of stored fuel and ensuring your equipment has clean, high-quality fuel running through it. By removing water, sediment, and other impurities, fuel polishing will help to improve the entire system performance and efficiency, reduce maintenance costs, and extend the lifespan of components that rely on high-quality fuel.

If you have fuel that goes long periods of time without being used, speak to BMS about our fuel polishing services to ensure that your fuel remains clean and high-quality.