Microbial Growth Control in Diesel by Optimization of Sulphur

CATEGORY: DIESEL
International Journal of Environmental Pollution and Remediation, Volume 1, Issue 1, Year 2012
Microbial Growth Control in Diesel by Optimization of Sulphur
N. K. Srivastava*, Nitin K. Nandan
srivastavank@gmail.com
nitinknandan@gmail.com
Department of Chemical Engineering, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar National Institute of Technology Jalandhar
G. T. Road, Bypass, Jalandhar-144011, Punjab, India
Abstract
Long storage of diesel results in the microbial growth causing sludge formation, fuel loss and corrosion in diesel storage tanks. The use of biocides has proven ineffective due to the resistance developed by the microbes as well as excessive concentration of biocides would prove harmful to humans. The purpose of this paper is to optimize the sulphur content in diesel so that the losses due to microbial growth and corrosion are minimal.
The samples of 350, 400, 450 and 500 ppm sulphur content were prepared to analyze the corrosion rating and extent of growth of Hormoconisresinae in each sample by measuring the loss in the diesel and formation of sludge. Graphs are plotted to analyze the growth and corrosion in terms of loss/year against sulphur content and the sulphur content is optimized to minimize the total loss. The optimized sulphur content came to be between 380-400 ppm.
Refinery products are mixtures of compounds. Gasoline, for example, contains straight chain and branched-chain. Three major types of fuels are discussed in this article-gasoline, aviation kerosene and diesel, corresponding to increasing heavy petroleum fraction. The fuel that presents the most serious microbial problems is diesel. The amount of sulphur contained in diesel engine fuel should be as low as possible (Aydin and Ilkilic, 2012). The condition required for microbial growth and the method used to monitor and to control this activity are discussed (Christine, 1998).
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