BACTERIAL DEGRADATION OF KEROSENE – TYPE FUEL IN STORAGE TANKS & ITS CONTROL

Abstract

The study was made on sludge samples taken from tanks used to store kerosene-type fuel at al-Dura refinery station, results of this study indicate the following:1)Sludge is caused by bacteria & products resulting from bacterial metabolic activity.2)The kerosene-type fuel & the additives (corrosion & gum inhibitors) approved to be used in fuel, are not bactericidal agents, but, the fuel & the additives themselves were found to be nutritive for bacteria.3)A 1.5-2% concentration of sodium tetraborate or a 2% concentration of potassium tetraborate in water bottoms of the fuel storage tanks can produce bactericidal conditions within the tank.