🧪 FuelPerformance.News | 4th Edition

Sponsored by

🔬 The Chemistry of Fuel Degradation

What Every Facility Director and Fleet Manager Needs to Know

Storing fuel is more than just topping off a tank; it's a science. Over time, fuel naturally breaks down in storage tanks, putting your critical systems at risk when you need them most.

From microbial contamination to oxidation, understanding the chemistry behind fuel degradation can mean the difference between uptime and outage.

⚠️ What Causes Fuel to Break Down?

Even under ideal conditions, diesel and gasoline begin to degrade within 90 days. Here’s what’s happening inside your tank:

🧫 Microbial Growth (Bacteria & Fungi)

Water enters tanks through condensation. Microbes feed on fuel and water, forming sludge and acids that corrode tanks and clog filters.

🌬️ Oxidation

Oxygen reacts with hydrocarbons, forming resins and varnish that stick to injectors, tanks, and engine components.

🧪 Polymerization

Chemical chains in fuel combine and form heavier compounds, increasing viscosity and reducing combustion efficiency.

🧊 Thermal Instability

Heat cycles in storage cause lighter elements in fuel to evaporate, leaving behind a degraded residue.

🏥 Who's at Risk?

If your organization depends on standby generators, fuel reserves, or backup fleet vehicles, fuel degradation is a silent threat. This includes:

• Hospitals & Healthcare Networks

• Municipalities & Data Centers

• Trucking & Delivery Fleets

• Water Treatment & Utility Companies

• Emergency Services & First Responders

🧰 What You Can Do

1. Test Your Fuel Regularly
   Get ahead of microbial growth and water intrusion with scheduled lab testing and field kits.

2. Use Stabilizers & Biocides
   Prevent oxidation and microbial activity with science-backed fuel additives that prolong shelf life and maintain performance.

3. Tank Maintenance
   Clean tanks, remove water bottoms, and install filtration systems to reduce contaminants.

4. Temperature & Humidity Control
   Store fuel in climate-stable environments and ensure tank seals are intact.

🔍 Real-World Example: VA Hospital Readiness

At Bell Performance, we recently helped a Florida VA hospital maintain generator readiness by addressing microbial contamination and improving their fuel stability with our treatment & testing program.

Their emergency systems are now protected: yours should be too.

📥 Download Our “Fuel Degradation Quick-Check Guide”

A practical one-pager for facility managers to spot early warning signs and take action.

👉 Click here to get the guide

FuelPerformance.News is your resource for mission-critical fuel insights — curated by the experts at Bell Performance.

Serving industry leaders since 1909 with proven fuel science.

Looking for unbiased, fact-based news? Join 1440 today.

Join over 4 million Americans who start their day with 1440 – your daily digest for unbiased, fact-centric news. From politics to sports, we cover it all by analyzing over 100 sources. Our concise, 5-minute read lands in your inbox each morning at no cost. Experience news without the noise; let 1440 help you make up your own mind. Sign up now and invite your friends and family to be part of the informed.

Subscribe to 1440 today.