Frequently Asked Questions about Fuel Polishing

Fuel polishing is a crucial part of operations when fuel sits at the centre of keeping things moving. Whether it’s industrial heating oil needed to keep everyone in the building warm, or diesel for machines needed in busy agriculture, stored fuel needs to be serviced to keep it clean. 

Accidental and natural circumstances, as well as vandalism, can contaminate fuel. Water can get into underground fuel tanks if the ground floods, and vandals could add substances to fuel to cause damage. Fuel also naturally degrades over time and microbial growth (diesel bug) and bacteria occur, which are the most harmful of contaminants.  

There are many questions surrounding fuel polishing, so we have answered those most frequently asked in this post.

What is fuel polishing?

Fuel polishing is a mechanical process used to remove harmful contaminants from fuel. These contaminants are often sediment, sludge, bacteria, diesel bug, and water. By removing these contaminants, you’ll ensure the fuel is high quality and free of anything that could harm equipment and engines.

How does fuel polishing work?

Fuel polishing is performed by removing the fuel from its tank. It’s run through a filtration and circulation system and then deposited back into the original tank or a new tank. The polished fuel will then reach its optimum state, free of contaminants, and ready for use.

How do I know if my fuel needs polishing?

Breakdowns and blockages can be signs that it’s time for some fuel maintenance. 

Some major symptoms of fuel contaminants are cloudy fuel or filters clogged with green, black or brown slime. Clean fuel is usually clear yellow, orange or red in colour depending on the fuel and dye, so if the liquid appears cloudy, there is likely a problem.

You can properly analyse fuel to measure unwanted substances and particles. If a fuel tests for severe contamination then it may not be salvageable, but often the problems can be solved with a standard to intensive polish. 

Why is fuel polishing necessary?

Fuel polishing is a very important procedure to avoid a wide range of issues. If you’ve ever had to deal with blocked filters, engine breakdowns and contaminated fuel, then a fuel polishing service is essential. If the machines running on fuel break down, it can have difficult consequences. 

Picture a power generator breaking down: the results could vary from loss of light and heat in an indoor construction area to complete power failure in a hospital. Schedule fuel polishing maintenance to keep your fuel in top condition and save money and time.

How often should you schedule fuel polishing?

This depends on a number of factors, such as fuel type, storage type, and frequency of use. We recommend scheduling servicing at least once a year, but this can be pushed to two years if any sort of halt in operations could have serious consequences. 

Do I need fuel polishing if I add additives to my fuel?

Additives are added to fuel to delay ageing symptoms and restore the stability of aged fuel. Even with these additives, fuel can still suffer a slow build-up of contaminants, so it’s best to use a combination of additives and a regular polishing service to keep your fuel at its best.

How much downtime will fuel polishing cause?

The good news is that the procedure will cause little to no downtime for your business. A mobile filtration system is brought on-site and polishes your fuel in their tanks, so your machinery and equipment can keep operating without pause. You can also have the service performed during fuel delivery, saving you further time away from your daily operations.

Is fuel polishing environmentally friendly?

This specialised service can result in reduced emissions, as cleaner fuel burns more efficiently which decreases overall fuel consumption. Many choose to purchase new fuel when they find contaminants while getting fuel cleaned is a much more sustainable solution. Polishing becomes an environmentally friendly alternative by reducing the amount of fuel you purchase.

Arrange your fuel polishing with Fuelsource

If you want to schedule a maintenance service for your site fuel then get in touch with Fuelsource today. We will arrange for industry experts to perform the polishing procedure at your on-site fuel storage tanks, during delivery or at another pre-arranged time. 

To learn more about fuel polishing and for advice on contaminant prevention, give our friendly, experienced team a call on 0207 846 0255. To schedule fuel maintenance, call us on the same number or use our simple online request form.