The Benefits of Fuel Polishing for Commercial Generators
One often overlooked aspect of generator maintenance is fuel quality. It’s not only important to make sure your generator has fuel to operate, but also that the fuel isn’t contaminated and corrupting your entire system. Over time, diesel fuel can degrade, leading to issues that can impact the performance and longevity of your generator. This is where fuel polishing, also known as fuel scrubbing, comes into play.
What is Fuel Polishing?
Fuel polishing is the process of cleaning and restoring diesel fuel to its optimal state. It involves filtering out contaminants such as water, sludge, microbial growth (like bacteria and fungi), and other particulates that accumulate over time. This process ensures that the fuel is clean and free of debris that could damage your generator. Johnny Bradford, featured in the video above, further explains, “Fuel polishing is a procedure we do where we remove water from the fuel. There is a big misconception that fuel polishing filters the fuel. Where it does that secondarily, the main purpose of polishing is to remove water from the fuel system.”
The Importance of Clean Diesel Fuel
Diesel fuel is susceptible to contamination from various sources, including water condensation in storage tanks, microbial growth, and the breakdown of fuel components over time. Contaminated fuel can cause several problems:
For starters, contaminants in fuel can clog filters, reducing fuel flow and forcing the generator to work harder, which can lead to premature wear and tear. Dirty fuel can also cause injector fouling, leading to poor fuel atomization, inefficient combustion, and eventually, engine damage.
Johnny goes into more detail, saying, “The two main reasons why you want to fuel polish your system are: one, when water is introduced into your diesel fuel tank, it provides a breeding ground for algae to grow in; and two, that algae will create sediment that can be suspended in your fuel system which can get into your fuel filters and clog them. If it bypasses the fuel filters, it can even get into your injection pump or your injectors.”
Contaminated fuel also reduces the efficiency of the engine by causing incomplete combustion which leads to increased emissions. In extreme cases, dirty fuel can cause the generator to fail during operation, which can be catastrophic during a power outage.
Benefits of Fuel Polishing
Clean fuel can actually extend your generator’s life by reducing the risk of damage to the generator’s engine and fuel system components. You’ll also see improved performance from a generator with clean fuel as the generator will run more efficiently, providing reliable power when it’s needed most.
As with all preventive maintenance services, fuel scrubbing can reduce maintenance costs in the long-run. By preventing fuel-related issues, fuel polishing can help reduce the frequency of maintenance and repairs, saving you time and money. There are also myriad benefits to your generator’s fuel stability. Fuel polishing can remove or reduce the factors that lead to fuel degradation, ensuring that stored fuel remains viable for longer periods.
Most of all, clean fuel provides increased operational reliability. During an emergency, you need your generator to function flawlessly. Fuel polishing helps ensure that the generator runs smoothly without hiccups, providing consistent power when it matters most.
How Often Should Fuel Polishing Be Done?
The frequency of fuel polishing depends on several factors, including the quality of the fuel when it was first delivered, the conditions under which it is stored, and how often the generator is used. As a general rule, it’s recommended to have the fuel polished at least once a year. However, in environments where the generator is critical, such as hospitals or data centers, more frequent polishing may be necessary.
Fuel polishing is an essential part of maintaining a commercial generator. By keeping the fuel clean and free from contaminants, you not only ensure the generator’s performance and reliability but also extend its operational life. For building engineers tasked with the responsibility of keeping a facility’s critical systems in top shape, fuel polishing is a proactive step that can save time, money, and potentially, the day during a power outage.
Check out the video above to see Johnny’s side-by-side samples of clean fuel versus dirty fuel. And call 800-899-3931 or request a quote from the Generator Experts at Duthie Power Services if you’d like us to assess your diesel fuel.
