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Title: Microbial deterioration of marine diesel fuel from oil shale. Final report

Abstract

Recurring problems with conventional ship fuels caused by microorganisms have prompted an evaluation of the susceptibility of a recently produced synthetic diesel fuel from oil shale to microbial contamination. The growth of typical microbial contaminants of hydrocarbon fuels has been determined over a four month period in two-phase systems consisting of fresh and sea water media overlaid with fuel. Anaerobic, sulfate-reducing bacteria and a yeast (Candida sp.) grew as well in the synthetic fuel as in fuel derived from petroleum. Growth of certain strains of the fungus, Cladosporium resinae, was initially delayed in the synthetic diesel fuel but after 8-13 weeks the growth was generally comparable to that in petroleum-derived fuel. This finding indicated that C. resinae may require time for adaptation to constituents in the oil shale fuel. Ultimately, however, it appears that the synthetic diesel fuel is likely to be as susceptible to microbial contamination as conventional diesel fuel has been. Experience acquired with available synthetic fuels shows that their ability to support growth of microbial contaminants varies widely depending on both the source of crude oil and the refining processes used.

Authors:
;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Naval Research Lab., Washington, DC (USA)
OSTI Identifier:
5863672
Report Number(s):
AD-A-097674/6
Resource Type:
Technical Report
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS; DIESEL FUELS; BIODEGRADATION; SHALE OIL; CANDIDA; COAL; FUNGI; HYDROCARBONS; MICROORGANISMS; OIL POLLUTION CONTAINMENT; OIL SHALES; SEAWATER; SYNTHETIC FUELS; YEASTS; BITUMINOUS MATERIALS; CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS; CHEMICAL REACTIONS; CONTAINMENT; DECOMPOSITION; ENERGY SOURCES; FOSSIL FUELS; FUELS; HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS; MATERIALS; MINERAL OILS; OILS; ORGANIC COMPOUNDS; OTHER ORGANIC COMPOUNDS; OXYGEN COMPOUNDS; PETROLEUM PRODUCTS; PLANTS; WATER; 040500* - Oil Shales & Tar Sands- Properties & Composition

Citation Formats

May, M E, and Neihof, R A. Microbial deterioration of marine diesel fuel from oil shale. Final report. United States: N. p., 1981. Web.
May, M E, & Neihof, R A. Microbial deterioration of marine diesel fuel from oil shale. Final report. United States.
May, M E, and Neihof, R A. 1981. "Microbial deterioration of marine diesel fuel from oil shale. Final report". United States.
@article{osti_5863672,
title = {Microbial deterioration of marine diesel fuel from oil shale. Final report},
author = {May, M E and Neihof, R A},
abstractNote = {Recurring problems with conventional ship fuels caused by microorganisms have prompted an evaluation of the susceptibility of a recently produced synthetic diesel fuel from oil shale to microbial contamination. The growth of typical microbial contaminants of hydrocarbon fuels has been determined over a four month period in two-phase systems consisting of fresh and sea water media overlaid with fuel. Anaerobic, sulfate-reducing bacteria and a yeast (Candida sp.) grew as well in the synthetic fuel as in fuel derived from petroleum. Growth of certain strains of the fungus, Cladosporium resinae, was initially delayed in the synthetic diesel fuel but after 8-13 weeks the growth was generally comparable to that in petroleum-derived fuel. This finding indicated that C. resinae may require time for adaptation to constituents in the oil shale fuel. Ultimately, however, it appears that the synthetic diesel fuel is likely to be as susceptible to microbial contamination as conventional diesel fuel has been. Experience acquired with available synthetic fuels shows that their ability to support growth of microbial contaminants varies widely depending on both the source of crude oil and the refining processes used.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/5863672}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Thu Apr 09 00:00:00 EST 1981},
month = {Thu Apr 09 00:00:00 EST 1981}
}

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