Symptoms of Microbiological Attack

Symptoms
MEDIUM FUEL LUBRICANT Slimy appearance of the oil; the slime tends to cling to the crankcase doors. Rust films. Honey-coloured films on the journals, later associated with corrosion pitting. The formation of slimes and sludges which are black Black stains on white metal bearings, pins and themselves or are black when scraped. journals. Brown or grey/black deposits on metallic parts. Pitting of steel work, pipes and tank bottoms. BILGE & BALLAST WATER

Aggregation of microbes into a biomass, observed as discolouration, turbidity and fouling. Biosurfactants produced by bacteria promote stable water hazes and encourage particulate dispersion. Purifiers and coalescers which rely on a clean fuel/water interface, may malfunction. Tank pitting.

Visual

Rapid corrosion of Corrosion of the purifier plating. bowl and newly machined surface. Sludge accumulation in crankcase and excessive sludge at the purifier discharge. Paint stripping in the crankcase.

Bacterial polymers may completely plug filters and orifices within a few hours. Operational

Additive depletion. Rancid or sulphitic smells.

Unusual foul or sulphitic smells.

Structural damage. Filters, pumps and injectors will foul and fail. Increase in oil acidity or Loss of suction in sudden loss of alkalinity. pipelines.

Non uniform fuel flow and variations in combustion may accelerate piston rings and cylinder liner wear rates and affect cam-shaft torque.

(BN) Stable water content in the oil which is not resolved by the purifier. Filter plugging in heavy weather. Persistent demulsification problems. Reduction of heat transfer in coolers.

Fuel When heavily contaminated fuel is brought onboard some or all of the problems listed above will be encountered within a short period of time. Particularly filter blocking and purifier malfunction. More long term will see injector and pump failures Quick Appraisal of distilates

It is possible to make a quick judgement on the degree of contamination in distillates o Sterlise a clear bottle and take a sample o Any contaminationa will be apparent as a haze causes by the presence of sludge. This sludge shoiuld readily disperse by agitation. It will tend to settle out and stick to the sides. A black coloured sludge indicates the presence of SRB o Repaeat the process for each fuel location to find the cleanest fuel. If only heavily contaminated is available this should be left to settle as long as possible. Were possible fuel should be drawen only via a filter, coalescer or purifier from the higher levels in the tanks. The use of a biocide at this point is inadvisable as the dislodges biofilms will tend to block all filters. o Take a sample from the bottom of the tank and send to labratory for 'fingerprinting' against the bunker supplier

Lubricating OIl When operated normally there are few microbes able to live succesfully in the nutrient and environmentally deficient lubricating oil Bilge & ballast Water Problems are normally associated with the presence of SRB pitting corrosion and is indicated by a sulphorus smell. Preventative action should be taken as soon as possible