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Algae in Fuel Tank

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ward.t(at)xtra.co.nz
Guest

Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2017 8:06 pm Post subject: Algae in Fuel Tank

Hi Europaeans,

Has anyone experienced algae growth in the composite fuel tank?

I have had an increase in foreign matter in my fuel filter and a clogged up

gascolator filter. Thought it may have been contaminated fuel but now think it maybe an algae growth on the copper gauze but not sure.

Any advise on how to treat this problem would be much appreciated.



Cheers,

Tim 

ZK-TIM Europa Classic  Monowheel, 912s Rotax 630hours.



Tim Ward

12 Waiwetu Street,

Fendalton,

Christchurch, 8052

New Zealand



ward.t(at)xtra.co.nz



Mob +64 210640221

Nigel Graham

Joined: 23 Mar 2017
Posts: 36
Location: Winchester - UK

Posted: Sat Oct 21, 2017 2:15 am Post subject: Re: Algae in Fuel Tank

Hi Tim, I have an idea what this might be but before I shoot off in the wrong direction, can you tell me if you operate your aircraft in a rural area? Do you leave the aircraft with a less than half a tankful of fuel? have you had a lot of rain, humidity or condensation recently? Have you left the aircraft un-flown for a protracted time?

Jim Kelly

Joined: 25 Jan 2014
Posts: 70
Location: England

Posted: Sat Oct 21, 2017 3:19 am Post subject: Algae in Fuel Tank

Hi Tim, copper is an excellent inhibitors of micro organic bacteria. Don't think it's your copper filter.



On 21 Oct 2017 5:08 a.m., "Tim Ward" <ward.t(at)xtra.co.nz (ward.t(at)xtra.co.nz)> wrote: 	  Quote: 	
		  --> Europa-List message posted by: Tim Ward <ward.t(at)xtra.co.nz (ward.t(at)xtra.co.nz)>

 

 Hi Europaeans,

 Has anyone experienced algae growth in the composite fuel tank?

 I have had an increase in foreign matter in my fuel filter and a clogged up

 gascolator filter. Thought it may have been contaminated fuel but now think it maybe an algae growth on the copper gauze but not sure.

 Any advise on how to treat this problem would be much appreciated.

 

 Cheers,

 Tim

 ZK-TIM Europa Classic  Monowheel, 912s Rotax 630hours.

 

 

 

 Tim Ward

 12 Waiwetu Street,

 Fendalton,

 Christchurch, 8052

 New Zealand

 

 ward.t(at)xtra.co.nz (ward.t(at)xtra.co.nz)

 

 Mob [url=tel:%2B64%20210640221]+64 210640221[/url]

 

 

 

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JonathanMilbank

Joined: 14 Apr 2012
Posts: 390
Location: Aberdeen area

Posted: Sat Oct 21, 2017 4:02 pm Post subject: Re: Algae in Fuel Tank

Hi Tim,



For several years I left my mono parked outside throughout each year, only protected from the Scottish weather by fabric covers (pyjamas). They got wet during prolonged days of rain and although I have a few osmosis paint blisters to show for such cruelty, I never had problems with water in fuel. This could be because I always filled the tank to the brim, leaving no space in the tank for moist air to be drawn in and condense.



The other factor in those days was that the mogas fuel had no ethanol in it, which absorbs water and might also be a feedstock for certain types of growth. Coincidentally and only a few months after I managed to get a hangar space, ethanol started to appear in our mogas, which might have given me similar problems to yours if I'd remained parked outside.



The coarse finger filters at the bottom of my fuel tank are made from brass.

Last edited by JonathanMilbank on Sat Oct 21, 2017 4:39 pm; edited 1 time in total

ward.t(at)xtra.co.nz
Guest

Posted: Sat Oct 21, 2017 4:03 pm Post subject: Algae in Fuel Tank

Hi Nigel,

Yes to all your questions. Research on Google shows it is a diesel fuel problem.

Be interested in you view.

Tim 



Tim Ward

12 Waiwetu Street,

Fendalton,

Christchurch, 8052

New Zealand



ward.t(at)xtra.co.nz



Mob +64 210640221

 	  Quote: 	
		   On 21/10/2017, at 3:15 AM, Nigel Graham <nigel_graham(at)m-tecque.co.uk> wrote:

 

 

 

 Hi Tim, I have an idea what this might be but before I shoot off in the wrong direction, can you tell me if you operate your aircraft in a rural area? Do you leave the aircraft with a less than half a tankful of fuel? have you had a lot of rain, humidity or condensation recently? Have you left the aircraft un-flown for a protracted time?

 

 

 

 

 Read this topic online here:

 

 http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=473731#473731

Nigel Graham

Joined: 23 Mar 2017
Posts: 36
Location: Winchester - UK

Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2017 11:48 am Post subject: Re: Algae in Fuel Tank

Hi Tim,



There are two potential problems, both caused by ethanol in the fuel and both exacerbated by long periods of inactivity.



If you are experiencing a blotchy opaque jelly like substance that sinks to the bottom of the tank and collects in your filters, this is most likely water contamination in the fuel that has undergone phase separation - the ethanol combining with more water than it can bond to, eventually drops out of suspension.



Typical causes are a leaking fuel filler cap letting water in during heavy rain, or condensation forming in the air space of a half empty tank in an aircraft that has been left standing for a long period of time during the misty, clammy or humid winter months.



The second problem really is a bacterial infection. Airborne acetobacter that breed during the autumnal months in the fruits and berries found in the countryside can come into contact with the ethanol fuel via the tank breather pipe. These feed on the alcohol and produce acetic acid as a by-product. This turns the normally non-conducting fuel into a conducting mild electrolyte. The acetic acid will then begin an electrolytic reaction between the brass and copper components in your fuel system and the softer alloy components - which will corrode ferociously. The most obvious place to check for this is the Bing float bowl.



Our aircraft have the same life cycle as our lawnmowers. They get dragged out in the springtime, are used on weekends (if the weather is good) and then get dragged back into the shed/hangar in the autumn and forgotten for another five months. Problems almost always occur after the planes are left with half full tanks (big air space) for long electrolytic of time.



Cars, that use the same fuel don't seem to experience the same problems because they are used throughout the year and fresh fuel is constantly flushing through their fuel systems.



Since we can no longer get mogas without ethanol, the only way to prevent this contamination/corrosion is to ensure that the tanks are always left full at the end of every flight (the least possible air-space in the tank) during the flying season. At the end of the flying season, the tanks should be flushed, or run dry, then filled with a few litres of 100LL (that does not contain ethanol) and the engine run to draw this through the whole system. The aircraft can then be laid up.



I have pictures that illustrate of both problems - but can't post them up at the moment as I am away from home. 

Hope this helps

Nigel

ward.t(at)xtra.co.nz
Guest

Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2017 12:17 pm Post subject: Algae in Fuel Tank

Many thanks Nigel. It seems to have decreased lately after checking the filters.  Will monitor the situation closely.

Cheers,

Tim 



Tim Ward

12 Waiwetu Street,

Fendalton,

Christchurch, 8052

New Zealand



ward.t(at)xtra.co.nz



Mob +64 210640221

 	  Quote: 	
		   On 23/10/2017, at 12:48 PM, Nigel Graham <nigel_graham(at)m-tecque.co.uk> wrote:

 

 

 

 Hi Tim,

 

 There are two potential problems, both caused by ethanol in the fuel and both exacerbated by long periods of inactivity.

 

 If you are experiencing a blotchy opaque jelly like substance that sinks to the bottom of the tank and collects in your filters, this is most likely water contamination in the fuel that has undergone phase separation - the ethanol combining with more water than it can bond to, eventually drops out of suspension.

 

 Typical causes are a leaking fuel filler cap letting water in during heavy rain, or condensation forming in the air space of a half empty tank in an aircraft that has been left standing for a long period of time during the misty, clammy or humid winter months.

 

 The second problem really is a bacterial infection. Airborne acetobacter that breed during the autumnal months in the fruits and berries found in the countryside can come into contact with the ethanol fuel via the tank breather pipe. These feed on the alcohol and produce acetic acid as a by-product. This turns the normally non-conducting fuel into a conducting mild electrolyte. The acetic acid will then begin an electrolytic reaction between the brass and copper components in your fuel system and the softer alloy components - which will corrode ferociously. The most obvious place to check for this is the Bing float bowl.

 

 Our aircraft have the same life cycle as our lawnmowers. They get dragged out in the springtime, are used on weekends (if the weather is good) and then get dragged back into the shed/hangar in the autumn and forgotten for another five months. Problems almost always occur after the planes are left with half full tanks (big air space) for long electrolytic of time.

 

 Cars, that use the same fuel don't seem to experience the same problems because they are used throughout the year and fresh fuel is constantly flushing through their fuel systems.

 

 Since we can no longer get mogas without ethanol, the only way to prevent this contamination/corrosion is to ensure that the tanks are always left full at the end of every flight (the least possible air-space in the tank) during the flying season. At the end of the flying season, the tanks should be flushed, or run dry, then filled with a few litres of 100LL (that does not contain ethanol) and the engine run to draw this through the whole system. The aircraft can then be laid up.

 

 I have pictures that illustrate of both problems - but can't post them up at the moment as I am away from home. 

 Hope this helps

 Nigel

 

 

 

 

 Read this topic online here:

 

 http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=473815#473815

Patrick Tunney

Joined: 24 Sep 2010
Posts: 33

Posted: Sun Dec 22, 2019 12:48 pm Post subject: Re: Algae in Fuel Tank

I possibly have this problem on an aircraft that has been stood for three plus years.



I am replacing all the fuel lines and everything will get a good clean.



Can anyone advise a good solution to flushing the fuel tank and also recomend a suitable carb cleaning solution that can be used in an ultrasonic bath.



Nigel if you still have the images of the contaminated carb bowls could you please share them so i can compare.



Thanks



Pat

Burrilla

Joined: 25 Apr 2015
Posts: 185

Posted: Sun Dec 22, 2019 1:21 pm Post subject: Algae in Fuel Tank

Out of interest what fuel(s) have you been using.



Alan



Sent from my iPad



 	  Quote: 	
		   On 22 Dec 2019, at 20:51, Patrick Tunney <p1tun(at)yahoo.co.uk> wrote:

 

 

 

 I possibly have this problem on an aircraft that has been stood for three plus years.

 

 I am replacing all the fuel lines and everything will get a good clean.

 

 Can anyone advise a good solution to flushing the fuel tank and also recomend a suitable carb cleaning solution that can be used in an ultrasonic bath.

 

 Nigel if you still have the images of the contaminated carb bowls could you please share them so i can compare.

 

 Thanks

 

 Pat

 

 

 

 

 Read this topic online here:

 

 http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=493936#493936

Patrick Tunney

Joined: 24 Sep 2010
Posts: 33

Posted: Sun Dec 22, 2019 2:37 pm Post subject: Re: Algae in Fuel Tank

I assume it was normal unleaded prior to my involvement.



I have used unleaded from the local station, the carbs were serviced and engine operation was good, but after a period of 3 weeks i had trouble starting, and then found that no fuel was entering the carbs.

Burrilla

Joined: 25 Apr 2015
Posts: 185

Posted: Mon Dec 23, 2019 12:29 am Post subject: Algae in Fuel Tank

Thanks.



 Not had the problem myself but I wonder if a good dose of Avgas might help.



Alan



Sent from my iPad



 	  Quote: 	
		   On 22 Dec 2019, at 22:39, Patrick Tunney <p1tun(at)yahoo.co.uk> wrote:

 

 

 

 I assume it was normal unleaded prior to my involvement.

 

 I have used unleaded from the local station, the carbs were serviced and engine operation was good, but after a period of 3 weeks i had trouble starting, and then found that no fuel was entering the carbs.

 

 

 

 

 Read this topic online here:

 

 http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=493939#493939

creightonious

Joined: 10 Mar 2007
Posts: 40

Posted: Mon Dec 23, 2019 1:13 pm Post subject: Algae in fuel tank

Sent from my iPad

_________________
Creighton Smith
A 036

creightonious

Joined: 10 Mar 2007
Posts: 40

Posted: Mon Dec 23, 2019 7:14 pm Post subject: Algae in fuel tank

I had this problem with a Europa which had been stored for 15 years.  It was not algae.  It was a very adhesive varnish deposit which had developed over the 15 undisturbed years.  It required scraping, repeated flushing, and required using a borescope to be able to ensure it was completely removed from each surface.  This took days and considerable tool improvisation to accomplish this through the 2 fuel outlets.  If you have a fuel gauge hole in the top you’re lucky.

It was worth it.  In the 4 subsequent years the filters have remained clean, but I do replace them a couple of times a year,

With regard to storage:  

If you anticipate a couple of months’ storage fillup with avgas.  It iis very stable and will not form varnish, nor will it lose octane.

Never store mogas-ethanol fuel for any term and if you do, fill your tank completely to prevent the tank breathing due to temperature change and the ethanol pulling out the air’s humidity.

Another reason to store no-ethanol mogas with full tanks, (especially in a Classic) in early, non flouridated tanks, is that ethanol will leach plasticisers out of the plastic tank leading to a tendency to crack due to embrittlement.

I hope this is useful and I wish everyone the delights of the season. 

Creighton Smith.  A009



Sent from my iPad

_________________
Creighton Smith
A 036

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