What Is Biocide And How To Choose The Right One
Biocide usage is very imperative for maintaining the integrity of fuels at all points during storage, usage and distribution. Left untreated, fuels are susceptible to fungal and bacterial contamination that can cause machine malfunction, engine failure, filter clogging, microbially induced corrosion and aircraft gauge malfunction. Also, fuel performance properties can be negatively impacted Biocides for a variety of applications as well. Biocides provide fast removal, shock treatment and maintenance treatment of Biodiesel, Diesel, Unleaded gasoline, Ultra-low sulfur diesel, Refineries, Terminals, Marine fuels, Heating oil, Service station storage tanks and Fuel additives.
WHAT ARE THE BIG NAMES IN THE MARKET
There are some big names available in the market, but Pri-ocide, Aquatrea and Hydra Fuel Plus biocides are popular trade names found in the marketplace very easily. They utilize a type of chemistry known as carbamate, and there are other biocide products that use the same chemistry, but these 3 big one are the very popular. Aquatreat DNM-30 is distributed by Akzo Nobel (a gigantic worldwide company), Pri-ocide is distributed by Power Research Inc. of Houston, TX while Hydra Fuel Plus is distributed by Hydra International Ltd (a major chemical formulators, manufacturers or suppliers of high performance biological treatments, cleaning, maintenance as well as hygiene products.
HOW TO CHOOSE A BIOCIDE
It’s very important to know what makes a good biocide so as to make the right decision. You should consider these features:
Effectiveness In Both Water And Fuel Phases: When using a biocide in stored fuel, then it is very necessary. In addition to this, the existence of a water phase is always related to microbial growth since microbes require the water phase to grow and thrive. However, some biocides deactivate or become less effective in the water presence.
Resistance To Potential Of Hydrogen (pH Changes) — Biocides that will work equally well in both acidic (pH < 7.0) and basic (pH > 7.0) environments is the best. Maintaining effectiveness in acidic environments is vital as fuels and liquid with terrible microbial contamination will tend to be acidic, because of the acids produced by microbial respiration since they grow and prosper in the liquid.
Kills Rapidly: The most effective fuel biocides will get the most complete kill rate in little time once mixed into the fuel / fluid.
Maintains An Absolute Kill For The Longest Period Of Time: The best biocides will hold up their kill rates for the longest time.
