Commercial and Condominium

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Emergency generators fail 80% of the time. This failure is usually due to diesel fuel contamination within the first four hours of running under a full load. 

• Have your diesel fuel tested and tank inspected before emergency backup power is needed
• Fuel 1 year or older should be replaced or polished

Diamond Diesel fuel polishing will remove all water from your tank, moisture from your fuel, sludge, mold, bacteria, and all particulate matter to below 1 micron. Always be ready with clean dry fuel.

Assure generator availability when needed. Reliable backup generator service is too important to leave to chance.

Diesel fuel can easily become contaminated with microorganisms such as bacteria, mold, fungi, and algae. Water in diesel fuel will culture a microorganism or bacteria that feeds on the hydrocarbons in the fuel, therefore degrading the fuel.  Water is the worst form of fuel contamination. Good fuel is clear and bright. Diesel that has turned dark, almost black, is in a far advanced state of degradation. This darkening is accompanied by a form of contamination that clogs filters and causes poor combustion.

Normal generator service provides for the changing of filters with an oil change, about twice per year and short test runs to verify the mechanical is working properly.

Biocides may be added to the fuel to kill microbial activity, but this only causes solids and debris to settle to the bottom of the tank forming a thick sludge.

• Fuel over a year old
• Loss of power or RPM’s
• Sludge build up in tank
• Clogged filters
• Dark or hazy fuel

Once the power goes out and commercial generators operate under full load, fuel circulates and clogs filters causing a mechanical shut-down due to fuel starvation. Continual filter changes address the problem, but do nothing to correct the problem.

After fuel sampling is completed, contaminated fuel should be replaced with fresh fuel or polished to a clean dry state. 

In general, fuel should only need to be polished when contamination is evident and symptoms of fuel problems occur. Annual fuel sampling and testing should indicate when fuel polishing and tank cleaning is required. 

Sampling should be done annually, biannually, or quarterly, depending on the situation. Samples should be drawn from the bottom of each tank as this is where sludge, water, and particulate matter will settle.  This sample will provide a visual inspection of the fuel and will indicate any obvious problems.

If contamination is evident, on board testing can pinpoint the problem.

Onsite Diesel Tests

Our tests asses five critical areas, they are:

Clarity

• Evidence of sludge, mold, bacteria and other contaminants

Water 

• Free standing water accumulates on the bottom until stirred up

Moisture

• Fuel appears hazy

Mold

• Active growth results in 48 hours

Bacteria

• Active growth results in 72 hours

If significant free standing water is evident an additional test can be done to identify the depth/volume at the bottom of the tank.

Actual mold and/or bacteria growth must be addressed immediately. A quality biocide should be used to kill the microbial growth. Frequently the growth is so pervasive that strands of the bacteria can be seen growing in the glass bowl of your fuel/water separator as well as mold attaching itself to the sides and top of your tanks.

A visual inspection of the inside of the tank using a color micro inspection camera can be done if a heavy indication of mold or bacteria is detected.

The State of Florida carries out inspections of storage tank units periodically. We at Diamond Diesel certify all tanks and ensure that they are up to compliance to avoid any fees. By conducting our own inspections, we make sure your tanks meet numerous requirements and are up to state and local compliance. Tank compliance is at our utmost importance. 

An in-depth lab analysis can be done to identify cetane index, unidentifiable particulate or sludge contamination, acid number, flash point, or extended storage ability.

Recently after fuel sampling, we found a black sludge like contaminant with a particular smell. Lab Analysis concluded the contamination was WASTE OIL. The results of an unscrupulous vendor disposing of waste oil (from a recent oil change) into the owners tank. It is not an unheard of situation. Our mobile polishing system removed the contamination, saving the owner cost and aggravation of removing over 1,000 gallons of fuel.