How IPU Group Can Help Protect the Healthcare Industry
Everyone within the healthcare industry knows about the importance of backup generators. They are always there in the event of a mains power failure. Without them, the lives of your patients will be at stake. The most critical systems that rely on backup power include:
- Life support systems
- Monitoring systems
- Fire prevention and sprinkler systems
IPU protects your emergency diesel generators, ensuring your critical power’s reliability and everyone on-site’s safety. However, maintaining your backup generator infrastructure is more than just keeping fuel contamination-free. With Clean Air Zones and further legislation coming into force, the air quality on healthcare sites is being scrutinised more than ever.
IPU has been working with hospitals for over 10 years. We know that the healthcare industry is under considerable financial pressure, so it’s why we have a solution and service plan in place for every budget. Equipment failure can be expensive, but protection against dirty diesel is not. Healthcare staff work hard to take care of us when we need medical care. Let IPU take care of your critical power.
Why Should I Clean My Fuel?
Diesel only remains in a usable condition for 6-12 months, but up until 2011, fuel used to be able to last 20+ years and run perfectly. This is because, in 2011, diesel became a blend of 7% biodiesel and 93% petrochemical diesel which is currently EU and UK standard but is expected to rise in the future. The biodiesel is called FAME (Fatty Acid Methyl Ester), and it has successfully helped to reduce emissions and environmental damage caused by burning fuel. However, the addition of FAME has also accelerated the time in which diesel deteriorates.
As fuel ages, it begins to suffer from three main types of contamination:
- Water
- Microbial Growth (The Diesel Bug)
- Solid Particulates
Water
Modern diesel contains water when it’s manufactured, and it attracts more water when it is stored. Water accelerates contamination and can corrode engine components as well as encourage acid build-up. Water is also a key ingredient in microbial growth.
Microbial Growth
Microbial growth within a tank is commonly known as ‘diesel bug’. It forms because biodiesel is the ideal environment for bacteria to grow, and it multiplies in the water phase of the tank. There is often a visible layer of microbial growth between the water and fuel inside the tank. Microbial growth can block filters and cause damage to fuel injectors.
Solid particulates
Solid particulates pose the most obvious risk. Fuel that is contaminated with dust, grit, and rust can cause filters and fuel injectors to become blocked and damaged.
If this happens and it becomes too contaminated, it could cause engine failure.
Fuel Sampling
To prevent engine failure, IPU has a three-part Fuel Conditioning Programme to ensure fuel is kept clean and dry for as long as possible.
The first step is for us to test the fuel in your tank to establish a current diagnosis. DieselCheck Fuel Testing uses technology to take samples from the top, middle, and bottom of each tank. This is to ensure a complete view of your fuel and to prevent any nasty surprises.
You will then be provided with a comprehensive report which is simple to understand and includes treatment recommendations. If your fuel is found to be contaminated, is it important that it is cleaned properly before it is polished – you wouldn’t put wax on a dirty car!
Fuel Cleaning
Fuel cleaning is essential for removing fuel contamination. IPU’s Fuel and Tank Cleaning Service does the following:
- Removes water down to 200 parts per million or less
- Disposes of solid particulates
- Removes microbial growth
- Breaks down and filters out any sludge that may have settled on the bottom of the tank
Once complete, we certify that your storage tanks are clean and your fuel meets the 18/16/13 level of cleanliness as defined by ISO 4406 and EN590 standards set by Directive 2009/30/EC. Our Fuel and Tank Cleaning Service restores your fuel to a clean, dry condition.
To keep it that way we recommend a Diesel Defence fuel polishing system. Through single and multi-stage filtration, Diesel Defence provides you with long-term protection to make sure your fuel stays within the standards.
IPU protects your emergency diesel generators and ensures the reliability of your critical power and the safety of everyone on-site. We have years of expertise fighting fuel contamination, harmful emissions and providing reliable engine starting.
Case Studies
“IPU has been excellent in restoring our diesel and providing solutions that will protect our fuel in the future” – Kent & Canterbury Hospital
Kent & Canterbury Hospital was concerned about the quality of the fuel used to power the hospital’s generators. IPU found that 6 of their tanks were heavily contaminated with high levels of water and solid particulates. To combat this, our Fuel Cleaning service cleaned both the fuel and tanks simultaneously and supplied Diesel Defence polishing units to ensure diesel stayed within EN590 and ISO4406 standards.
“Clean, dry fuel is so important for our backup power systems. When we saw the results of our fuel test we knew we had to act” – Good Hope Hospital
IPU identified that Good Hope Hospital’s diesel was heavily contaminated, putting crucial power at serious risk. Our DieselCheck found all 7 storage tanks were all suffering from particulate contamination. IPU’s Fuel Cleaning team restored the fuel to EN590 and ISO4406 standards without requiring man-entry and without taking the generators offline. We also supplied 5 Diesel Defence polishing units to keep the diesel clean.
To read more about what IPU can do for you, CLICK HERE.