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Marine

Marine

Rapid, easy to use, on-board testing

FUELSTAT®: A rapid, easy to use, on-board test for detecting Microbial Contamination in MGO with free smartphone based data recording

The risks of microbial contamination in Marine Fuels have never been higher with further reductions in sulphur levels across all Marine Fuels as result of IMO 2020 and the increased use of biodiesel in all diesel fuels adding to the need to protect this valuable commodity.

Whilst the direct effects of sulphur reduction are, yet unknown, several published studies indicate that introduction of FAME (Fatty Acid Methyl Esters) to create biodiesel will increase microbial contamination overall due to the hydroscopic (water-retaining) nature of FAME. Better for the environment and sustainability undoubtedly but the knock- on effect is potentially more microbial contamination risks that must be managed before they turn into serious operational and commercial issues for the marine industry.

Monitoring Microbial Contamination

FUELSTAT® provides vessel owners, fleet managers and fuel bunkering organisations with a cost-effective, simple, on-board tool to continually monitor microbial contamination of Marine Gas Oil (MGO) both in port and at sea.

Roundel - Marine Fuel Sampling

FUELSTAT® test

Is sending samples onshore for marine fuel tests worthwhile or economical?

Given the importance of MGO, whether for propulsion in Emission Control Areas (ECA), providing power in port, servicing backup generators or for fueling diesel-powered life craft why wait to send samples to shore where fuel degradation can have a huge impact on the result? Why only test when in port where a result will not be received until the vessel has already left when you can carry out a FUELSTAT® test within minutes to enable swift decisions on potential remedial action to be undertaken in a more timely and efficient manner?

ASTM D6469

ASTM D6469 highlights that if a sample cannot be tested on-site it should be transported on ice and tested within 4 and no more than 24hrs or the sample may no longer be a true representation of the environment from which it came.

Immunoassay antibody technology

FUELSTAT® is based on immunoassay antibody technology, which is widely used in the medical industry to rapidly and accurately detect such things as pregnancy, prostate cancer and hypoglycaemia. Put simply FUELSTAT® only searches for the specific microorganisms that are known to thrive and do damage in diesel and jet fuel.

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simple to use

FUELSTAT® is simple to use, simply add the sample to the bottle provided with the test kit, shake it, place 4 drops onto a piece of tissue to remove any fuel trapped in the nozzle before adding 4 drops to each of the sample wells on the test paddle before waiting 15 minutes for the results to appear. FUELSTAT® requires little instruction and little in way of rigid sterility controls on-board except for a clean sampling jar. The components of the test kit are also recyclable; however, the fuel sample must be disposed of as per each individual organisation’s own protocol.

instant verification

If you want instant verification of the result which can be sent or received back on shore within minutes, then the free to download app FUELSTAT® Result will tell you in seconds on your smartphone device.

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FUELSTAT® Result

FUELSTAT® Result will not only enable a fully transparent and traceable audit trail to track trends and hotspots, but also provide accurate information to enable effective and more cost-efficient maintenance programs to be undertaken.

It will also help to identify potential issues when bunkering, which whilst it may be your only fuel source and therefore difficult to refuse, it allows the ability to treat the fuel accordingly prior to departure.

Over 100,000 FUELSTAT® tests are used every year all over the globe in many highly regulated industries to monitor microbial contamination in middle distillate fuels. It is compliant with the ASTM D8070 International Standard and is used by organisations the world over from airlines to major fuel operators, from militaries to data centres to keep assets protected.

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