The ISO 4406/2000 classification of particle contents was introduced to facilitate comparisons in particle counting.
The ISO standards are intended to produce a common quality management standard and maintaining these standards industry produce fuel more efficiently, but also reduce product noncompliance by having a known set of parameters to work within.
There are many industry groups for whom this is a crucial standard, users of hydrocarbon fuels, all engines, which are designed to operate within pre-defined fuel quality standard
Most modern engines and associated fuel components require this level of fuel quality in the design. Manufacturers also need to take account of the lubricity, moisture levels and particulate size levels.
Most refineries strive to achieve this standard, as legislation requires
Fuel is subject to many factors that can reduce the fuel quality to below ISO4406 standard and increase levels of contamination. During final use it may be exposed to many environmental factors which affect the quality of the fuel.
There are 4 basic grades of diesel A grade being at standard fit for modern common rail engines and as the grades decrease to D grade you basically have industrial waste. “Grade A” fuel will decrease to Grade D fuel remarkably quickly without care and maintenance.
Proven Fuel Management Ltd technology and filters help remove any particulate and fuel can be maintained as A grade fuel ISO4406 requirements of 18/16/13.
Water in a fuel system causing has been stated as “a few tablespoons, not half a tank or even a few litres”. Moisture damages injectors, rusts fuel lines, damages injection pumps, corrodes tanks and assists microbial growth (Diesel Bug).
Sulphur Reducing Bacteria (SRB) with the removal of the bulk of sulphur in diesel has highlighted a contamination issue in the petroleum industry due to its role in the damage it causes through corrosion.
When fuel at engine operational temperature is returned to the tank warming and expanding of the air occurs and when the engine is stopped fuel cools and the moisture is drawn into the tank causing condensation to form, due to the hydroscopic nature of the fuel. When crossing a stream, the fuel tank is one of the lowest components in a vehicle, and thus can be subject to a rapid drop of temperature in the tank,
Though vehicle differentials are fitted with breathers, moisture is drawn into the diff causing the oil to lose lubricity and turn “milky” fuels in a tank do the same.
We have developed our technology to alleviate microbial contamination that grow within that moisture layer and keep your fuel at the required ISO4406.
Water in the diesel fuel that is not dissolved is termed ‘free water, this includes water entrained in diesel through agitation or pumping and water that is separated from the diesel fuel due to its chemical difference, these are easier to remove.
Common causes of dissolved water in fuels are the composition of the fuel or the range of additives which are designed help to dissolve water into a solution.
Water in entrained when being “burnt” with fuel reduces the amount of energy available and may result in lower horsepower output. This may result in increased fuel consumption, engine noise and decreased performance.
PFM technologies are actively treating fuels providing an enhanced level of operational reliability
