There is research in place that there are potential issues with the use of biodiesels or biofuels in static engines, this a particular concern with reference to Sprinkler pump engines and emergency generators..
Tyco Fire & Integrated Solutions is actively pursuing its concerns about the potentially hazardous effects of using fuels with a proportion of fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) content derived from crops.
It may be helpful to go over some of the background.
These types of fuels are frequently referred to as biodiesel or biofuel.
The concerns go back to 2007 when a UK government survey into the whole field of greenhouse gas emissions culminated in the Global Subsidies Initiative (GSI) issuing its document ‘Biofuels – at what cost?’. If of interest this can be sourced here (http://www.globalsubsidies.org/files/assets/oecdbiofuels.pdf )
In this document they recommended the increased adoption of biofuels, to deliver much lower greenhouse gas emissions.
In pursuit of the emissions objective, DEFRA issued its presentation ‘The Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation’ (RTFO) which outlined the benefits of biofuels (http://www.staff.ncl.ac.uk/steven.hall/moffitt/presentations/AndrewPerrins.pdf ).
The mandatory Obligation to ensure that all diesel fuel would contain a minimum of 2.5% biocontent (increasing to 5% this year) was intended to reduce the greenhouse emissions from conventional fuels as part of a move towards clean, low-carbon transport.
This was to be encouraged by fuel duty incentives of up to 20p/litre off biofuels.
The Renewable Fuels Agency is the organisation charged by the UK government with running the RTFO.
It allocates Renewable Transport Fuel Certificates (RTFCs) to suppliers of biofuels (biodiesel or bioethanol) in the UK. It promotes the supply of sustainable biofuels and administers the world’s leading carbon and sustainability reporting system. This is all to be applauded as a move to controlling greenhouse gases ……
. . . but unfortunately, it seems that some people have overlooked the word ‘Transport’ in RTFO. Its area of concern was intended to be transport applications.
A lorry is filled with biodiesel, its then driven, thrown round corners, Then bought back to be refilled from the on-site fuel storage facility, this is repeated daily. In other words the fuel is held for a short period of time and subjected to regular disturbance.
Advice from the Department of Transport confirms biofuels were intended for vehicle engines and not for stationary engines of the kind found in the pumps of sprinkler systems or emergency generators.
Tyco’s have issued an excellent leaflet ‘Living proof that Bio Diesel Fuel is a growing concern for business’ explains that biodiesel is a perfect growth medium for micro-organisms.
And here is the problem. Many organisations have emergency generators/engines which are diesel powered. The comparatively small, static diesel fuel tanks in sprinkler systems provide nice, relatively undisturbed conditions for encouraging the microbial-growth sediments which have the potential to block supply filters and, for example, prevent a sprinkler pump from operating.
The prevailing British Standard is BS 2869: 2006: Fuel oils for agricultural, domestic and industrial engines and boilers. That includes diesel engines that drive sprinkler pumps. Most sprinkler pump manufacturers specify their equipment suitable for use with fuels to BS 2869: Class A2. Class A2 currently allows as much as 5% bio-content but you should note that Class A2 with 0% biocontent is available widely in the UK and you may feel that it is advisable to source this.
The Fire Protection Association’s practical advice on this subject is:
- use a quality fuel from a trusted supplier;
- order supplies of fuel with the lowest possible biocontent;
- make sure that the pump set maintenance of a sprinkler system is carried out by a competent person and in accordance with manufacturers’ instructions;
- adhere to the maintenance regime specified in the LPC Sprinkler Rules;
- try not to store too much fuel for too long.
Details of additional precautionary measures can be found via the Department of Transport link ( www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roads/environment/off-road-equipment ).
The Tyco ‘Living proof that Bio Diesel Fuel is a growing concern for business’ pdf can be obtained from here
( http://www.tycofis.co.uk/bio-diesel/bio-diesel.pdf?sksearchtext=bio%20diesel )
Depending on your level of concern you may also wish to access the website of Powerpro Fuel Technology, Tyco’s research partner, at www.powerprouk.com , select Powerpro Fuel Technology and peruse their working history on fuel contamination and the research paperwork which you can download.
The concern, of course, is that lives may be at risk if sprinkler and emergency generator pumps do not operate instantly.
