By Jeff Walkup, VP Sales & Marketing
As a maintenance professional, if you already manage a successful Oil Analysis Program, you undoubtedly understand and see value in such a program on your bottom line. However, you may be thinking “Why should I sample my in-service or stored fuel supply?”
Fuel cost is an extremely high-cost line item on any operational budget. Organizations will even attempt to lock in fuel prices with complex and often risky hedging strategies. Even if there’s understanding of the importance of diesel fuel to operations there still may be hesitancy to invest in routine diesel fuel testing or even in limited application. Alternatively, some may not see immediate value in diesel fuel testing, though the perception of value can vary depending on the specific context and the goals of the operations and maintenance team.
Challenges to Implementing a Diesel Fuel Testing Program
The following are some reasons (excuses) I’ve heard that contribute to hesitancy in developing a routine diesel fuel testing program.
- Overall Lack of Awareness: There could be a lack of awareness or understanding of the potential benefits of diesel fuel testing such as helping to improve equipment performance and prevent costly breakdowns.
- Cost Concerns: Diesel fuel testing can involve expenses for equipment, testing kits, and laboratory analysis. Some maintenance departments might operate on tight budgets and prioritize other maintenance activities over fuel testing; I have heard this many times, and as the title indicates, they miss theforest due to the trees.
- Maintenance Focus: There could be a focus on the mechanical aspects of equipment, such as engines and wheel motors – things seen as mission critical. Or tasks directly impacting machinery’s immediate operation and safety are prioritized over fuel-related issues. There also could be the assumption that the fuel has already been used in the combustion process leading to a “What can I do about it anyway?” mentality.
- Reliability of Fuel: In some cases, there’s a false belief that the diesel fuel received is of consistent quality, to OEM specification, and doesn’t require frequent testing. This assumption can lead to complacency and a false sense of security. Keep in mind that at every intersection and step along the way from the refinery until you place into your machine, there is the opportunity for contamination to take place. Remember that the burden and ultimate responsibility of using clean, quality fuel and lubricants is up to you, the end-user, gatekeeper of the ASSETS!
- Misunderstanding of Benefits: Fuel quality can impact equipment performance and longevity. Often underestimated is the potential savings and benefits of using high-quality fuel. From the impact on the fuel system, injector life, fuel filter life to increased efficiency, and unplanned downtime, these benefits can seriously impact on your maintenance budget bottom line. Look at your history and your data, and then consider how might the condition and quality of the fuel used in service influence these costs.
- Short-Term Perspective: Often, short-term cost savings are prioritized over long-term benefits. The cumulative cost savings and reduced downtime resulting from proactive fuel testing and maintenance may not be a consideration. Something to think about is how many unplanned injector changes, filter changes, and repairs could have been prevented if clean diesel fuel was used.
- Lack of Regulations: In regions or industries with lax regulations or standards related to diesel fuel quality, maintenance teams may not see a pressing need for testing since they assume the fuel is already of acceptable quality. This contrasts with an example of NFPA 110 as “Standards for Emergency & Standby Power Systems” are stringent.
To address these challenges, it’s essential to provide education and information on the benefits of testing, highlight potential cost savings and improved equipment reliability, and demonstrate how fuel quality can affect overall maintenance and operational costs. Additionally, implementing a proactive fuel quality management program can help make fuel testing a routine and integral part of maintenance practices.
We can help!
Talk with our reliability specialists who can help you develop a diesel fuel testing program to suit your needs. Regular diesel fuel testing during delivery, storage or handling ensures compliance with engine manufacturer requirements while protecting you from costly fuel contamination or degradation issues.