As diesel ages, it goes through a natural oxidation process. Light, heat, and air exposure can cause a chemical breakdown, reducing combustion quality.
When your fuel degrades, it can wear the generator's engine and cause injector fouling. The risks are particularly high with standby generators that remain in the background for long periods.
Even minor damage to your fuel storage tank's vents or worn tank seals can cause water to enter the system.
It can significantly increase the risk of corrosion in the fuel lines and tank, damage to pumps and injectors, and lower fuel efficiency. Water also creates perfect conditions for microbial growth.
Diesel bug occurs when fungi and bacteria live at the fuel-water interface. Microbes thrive on hydrocarbons, which enables them to multiply. Over time, they produce by-products and a thick biomass that can corrode the tank and block your fuel filters.
Limited fuel usage can lead to particulates, microbial waste, and rush settling at the bottom of your tank, forming a sludge-like substance.
When this material is disturbed, it can enter the fuel system and cause a rank of issues - including complete engine shutdowns. Think of it like silt in the ocean.
Generators are meant to be dependable, providing instant support in a power outage. However, when your fuel supply is contaminated, the generator can't access the power it needs. So, the engine might stall under load or fail to start altogether.
These issues can be critical for data centres, hospitals, and businesses that rely on a constant electricity supply.
Organisations face many compliance requirements in the UK, including fuel storage, environmental protection, and testing. Fuel management ensures you remain compliant, promote a safe environment, and avoid voiding your warranty.
For example, if you fail to regularly test and monitor the quality of your diesel fuel, your generator manufacturer may not cover repairs or replacements.
Diesel fuel supply services maintain operational efficiency during emergencies. We offer a range of services for commercial buildings, temporary construction sites, large-scale industrial facilities, generator hire fleets, and many other environments.
Our fuel supply services include:
Regular fuel testing is integral to identifying early signs of degradation and contamination. It also enables us to mitigate risks before they lead to generator failure. We offer comprehensive fuel testing and sampling services, including:
Our fuel polishing and cleaning services can restore degraded or contaminated fuel without replacing the entire load. This can enhance safety and help you save money.
We typically recommend fuel polishing if your generator is experiencing frequent issues, the fuel has been in long-term storage, or when testing reveals contamination.
Our fuel polishing services include:
There are many potential signs of fuel contamination, but the most common indicators are:
Experiencing problems starting the generator
Cloudy or dark fuel
Fuel filters that frequently clog
Higher fuel consumption rates/reduced efficiency
Noticeable odours
Debris or sludge in the tank
Unusual exhaust smoke
Poor engine performance
You should get support instantly if you notice any of these problems. We can arrange a professional inspection.
Fuel management services ensure an uninterrupted power supply, which is essential for many environments and operations, including:
Emergency Backup Generators: Keeping homes and businesses connected during an outage.
Commercial Standby Systems: Ensuring business operations can continue.
Industrial Generators: Supporting industrial and manufacturing environments that rely on powerful equipment.
Critical Operations: Hospitals, data-centres and security rooms rely on continuous power.
Construction Generators: Maintaining fuel quality in harsh site conditions.
Generator Hire Fleets: Professional fuel testing services protect the equipment value of your own fleet and reduce downtime.
Long-Term Fuel Storage: Fuel management services are often more affordable than replacing the entire supply.
If you're interested in our fuel management services, please get in touch with us today to discuss your requirements. We offer a range of turnkey services, including regular fuel delivery, maintenance checks, and fuel cleaning.
Whether you're looking for a one-off service or require long-term support, our convenient maintenance packages ensure that your home or business continues to benefit from an uninterrupted power supply.
Please get in touch with us today to learn more.
In most cases, we recommend annual fuel testing for standby generators. However, if your business relies on generators for critical operations, then testing your fuel supply every six months is advisable.
When untreated, diesel can last for up to 12 months in storage. However, specialist treatments can significantly extend the lifespan of your fuel supply, ensuring you benefit from a lasting investment.
Diesel bug, also known as microbial contamination, occurs when fungi and bacteria grow in your fuel system. It results in corrosion, sludge, and blockages in the fuel filters.
Fuel polishing is highly effective in many cases, but there are times when it may be unable to salvage your fuel. For example, chemically unstable or highly degraded fuel may not respond to polishing, and the only option is to replace the fuel.
Yes, as an authorised generator distributor in the UK, we understand the unique needs of multiple popular brands, including Pramac, CAT, and Himoinsa.
Yes, we do. If you're dealing with an emergency, please feel free to contact our customer service team to arrange a site visit. We'll assess your fuel quality and recommend the next steps as soon as possible.
We support domestic, commercial, and industrial generators. It's important to remember that high-quality diesel fuel is just as important for homes as it is for businesses.
Solent Power Ltd (Company Number 12622565) is a company registered in England and Wales. Our registered office is located at Station yard, Bowes Hill, Rowlands Castle PO9 6BP. VAT No. 363504018