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A little known fact is that D-Day was almost postponed because of bugs in the stored fuel! Microorganisms grow at the interface of fuel and surfaces and in the water that is a normal part of the emulsion. Some of these accelerate the corrosion of tanks and fuel lines causing unpredictable failure. Others degrade the fuel, changing its combustion characteristics, whilst still others grow out as large masses into the fuel and can break off clogging fuel feeds. The contamination of bio diesel can lead to its changing its viscosity suddenly and all biologically derived fuels and oils are more susceptible to unwanted attention from microbes, with potentially disastrous consequences. Achor is at the forefront of devising environmentally acceptable remedies to these problems, working with clients involved in the industry to and with academic institutions to improve the reliability of fuels, lubricants and pipe-work through reducing the numbers and effects of micro-organisms in engineered systems. Picture of Alan Stewart's contaminated oil, showing growth at the water oil interface.
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