Sunday, August 10, 2008
P43

Through the Microscope:  How Environmental Contaminants Affect Fuel

Loryn L. Bowen1, Susan S. Mueller1, Marlin D. Vangsness1, Lori M. Balster1, Lisa M. Brown1, Ellen M. Strobel2, and Lt. Daniel D. Pike2. (1) Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Dayton Research Institute, 300 College Park, Dayton, OH 45469, (2) Air Force Research Laboratory, United States Air Force, 1790 Loop Road North, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433

The United States Air Force has a long history of microbial contamination in its fuel systems, which has led to filter plugging and system malfunctions.  The United States government has recently begun investigating alternatives to decrease reliance on foreign oil.  With the emergence of new and alternative fuels as a viable option for the government to pursue; there is the need to investigate the possible issue of microbial contamination amongst these new fuels.  Since there has been little research published on the microbial flora proliferating in these emerging fuels, a series of microbiological tests and genetic analyses were performed on jet fuel, alternative fuel, biodiesel, and diesel over the course of several months.  Microbial identification results have been obtained through sequencing of the 16S and 18S small ribosomal subunits of the contaminating bacteria, fungi, and yeast.  It has been found that environmental microbes can survive and thrive in these promising fuel sources in the same manner, or often times better, as they do in routinely used United Force Air Force aviation fuel.

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