grotamar® 82 by Vink Chemicals
Effective protection against diesel fuel contamination
grotamar® 82 protects diesel fuel and heating oil against microbial contamination
With grotamar® 82, Vink Chemicals offers a product that protects against diesel contamination. It is highly effective against bacteria, yeasts and fungi that can contaminate diesel fuel, biodiesel, HVO or even heating oil. Diesel sludge leads to sludge build-up, clogs fuel lines, filters, injectors and burners, and, in the worst case, causes costly damage to diesel engines or oil-fired heating systems. Furthermore, the fuel breaks down and can no longer be used. The use of grotamar® 82 is compatible with the EN 590 standard.
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What is grotamar® 82 used for?
This biocide from Vink Chemicals protects diesel, biodiesel, HVO and heating oil from so-called ‘diesel bug’ and can prevent costly damage to diesel engines and oil-fired heating systems.
grotamar® 82 at a glance
grotamar® 82 from Vink Chemicals is a highly effective, self-dispersing biocide that has been specially developed for modern fuels containing biodiesel. It is also suitable for use in biodiesel and heating oil. The product acts quickly and reliably against bacteria, yeasts and fungi. Free from organically bound chlorine, dissolves in all common diesel fuels, including HVO, as well as heating oil, and provides long-term protection against corrosion and ageing for tanks, pipes, engines and oil-fired heating systems.
How to dose grotamar® 82 correctly
The product is added directly to the tank whilst refuelling. As a preventative measure, 250 ml (a quarter of a litre) per 1,000 litres of fuel is sufficient – with every refuelling. If contamination is already suspected, a shock dose is recommended: in this case, 1 litre of grotamar® 82 is used per 1,000 litres of fuel. Under-dosing should be avoided at all costs.
Dosage of grotamar® 82
| Preventative dosage | Shock dosage(if contamination is suspected) |
| 250 ml per 1,000 l of fuel | 1 l per 1,000 l of fuel |
| With every refuelling | Avoid under-dosing |
Areas of application
Sooner or later, any diesel engine can be affected by diesel sludge. Here are a few examples:
Pleasure boats and yachts
are often left in winter storage for months on end – with a full fuel tank and an increasing risk of bacterial contamination. The biocide provides reliable protection against diesel contamination, thereby safeguarding the tank, pipes, filters and engines from costly damage. Furthermore, engine failure in boats and ships is critical and dangerous, as a boat then usually becomes unable to manoeuvre. Treating diesel fuel with the product from Vink Chemicals prevents all of this.
Land vehicles (cars and lorries)
Motorhomes, tractors and construction machinery are also frequently affected by diesel contamination. The causes can include long periods of inactivity or poor microbiological diesel quality (e.g. refuelling with contaminated diesel).
Emergency generators
ensure that safety-critical equipment can continue to operate in the event of a power cut. This applies to critical infrastructure such as hospitals and care homes, disaster and emergency relief services, businesses and industry – including data centres and server rooms, or banks and financial systems – as well as energy and utility facilities such as wind farms. Diesel generators are high-performance, robust and durable, and are therefore well suited for use as emergency power generators. A biocide helps to ensure their smooth operation and maintenance.
Heating oil and oil-fired heating systems
These too can be affected by diesel contamination – particularly in the case of large fuel stocks that are stored for long periods. Here, the biocide helps to prevent breakdowns and damage. Expensive repairs and time-consuming cleaning work are avoided. grotamar® 82 also contains special components that protect copper parts in the heating system.
How to use the biocide
Before treating with grotamar® 82, remove any water or sludge from the tank extremely thoroughly. The water must be disposed of in accordance with local regulations.
Use mechanical means to remove the accumulated biomass from the bottom of the tank, the tank walls and the fuel system – for example, in the tank, pipes and filters. This minimises the risk of re-contamination.
Immediately afterwards, simply add grotamar® 82 in accordance with the dosage table. No dissolving or mixing is required. The product disperses rapidly and automatically throughout the fuel.
In the event of operational problems such as blocked filters or visibly contaminated fuel, a shock dose is recommended. For effective tank decontamination, a preventative dose should be applied the next time the vehicle is refuelled following the shock dose.
After adding grotamar® 82, dead microorganisms may clog the fuel filter and necessitate further filter changes. The detachment of biomass is a positive sign of the biocide’s effectiveness.
How diesel contamination occurs
Diesel in accordance with EN 590 (Diesel B7), biodiesel and HVO serve as bioavailable food sources for the growth of microorganisms (bacteria, yeasts and moulds). These enter the diesel system via various routes, such as condensation or air. Once there, they can attack the diesel and colonise the water. Moderate temperatures and periods of inactivity are particularly conducive to microbial growth. If the fuel system remains unprotected, microorganisms find ideal growing conditions and proliferate unchecked.
How the biocide helps prevent diesel bugs
The biocide specifically targets the microorganisms that cause diesel sludge. The biocide kills bacteria, yeasts and moulds before they can multiply in the tank and form harmful bio-sludge. This prevents blockages in filters and injection nozzles, as well as corrosion damage to the tank and pipes – ensuring reliable engine protection, particularly during long periods of inactivity, and reliable preservation of heating oil.
grotamar® 82 offers the following benefits
High efficacy against bacteria (including sulphate-reducing bacteria), yeasts and moulds.
Improved corrosion-protective properties.
Less visible deposits.
Eliminates the need for frequent filter changes.
Reduces risks associated with equipment corrosion, injector blockages and system failures.
Excellent long-term protection against the degradation of fuel in tanks, pipes and engines caused by microorganisms.
Fully soluble in biodiesel, diesel fuel, heating oil containing biogenic components and HVO.
Improves the storage stability of B5** to B20** diesel blends.
What you need to bear in mind when using the biocide
Due to legal regulations, the purchase of grotamar® 82 by private users is not permitted. This is reserved for commercial users such as mineral oil retailers, garages, farmers, and recreational boat or motor vehicle dealers. For example, many shipyards and port operators offer a service to dose the biocide into the tank professionally. Please discuss this specifically with your specialist workshop. The product has been approved by several engine manufacturers and meets the requirements of EN 590. Consequently, its use is also permitted in newer diesel engines still under warranty. In the case of fuel tanks and systems already heavily affected by diesel sludge, the entire fuel system must be thoroughly cleaned of sludge before using the product. The biocide can then be used as an effective preventative measure against further contamination.
What our expert says about grotamar® 82
„It has been shown that diesel of fossil origin, as well as biodiesel, HVO and their blends, are susceptible to diesel sludge during prolonged periods of inactivity. grotamar® 82 helps to reliably prevent diesel sludge and thereby protects the tank, filters, pipes and engine from costly consequential damage.“
Tim Sterzing Team Lead Sales DACH / Engineer and grotamar® expert for over 15 years
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What is diesel contamination?
Diesel contamination refers to the contamination of diesel fuel by bacteria, yeasts and moulds. The microorganisms multiply at the interface between the fuel and water in the tank and form a viscous bio-sludge. This can migrate through the system, blocking filters and pipes and causing corrosion damage to the tank and engine.
How does diesel contamination manifest itself?
The first signs are a rough-running engine or poor starting performance. The contamination often only becomes visible when checking the fuel filter, which becomes clogged with a dark, slimy deposit. In diesel-powered boats, heavy seas can be a trigger if sludge that has already settled in the tank is stirred up after a prolonged period of inactivity. This often results in unusual smoke emissions.
How do you remove diesel contamination from the tank?
In cases of mild contamination, a single, high-dose treatment with a biocide may help. In cases of severe contamination, the tank must first be completely drained and the biomass removed mechanically. The tank is then refilled with fresh fuel and a preventative biocide additive. In cases of severe contamination or where damage has occurred to the propulsion system and the fuel system, a specialist company should be consulted.
Which diesel fuel is not susceptible to ‘diesel bug’?
The diesel fuels currently available on the market can become contaminated with microorganisms under certain circumstances. Conventional diesel in accordance with EN 590, containing up to 7 per cent biodiesel, is generally at risk – particularly during long periods of inactivity. HVO can also promote microbial growth. Pure mineral oil – that is, without any biofuel content – would be the least susceptible. However, such grades are now almost impossible to find on the market.
How can diesel contamination be prevented?
To prevent diesel contamination, you should keep the fuel tank as full as possible to minimise condensation and thus the ingress of water. Fuel filters should be checked and drained regularly. For vehicles and boats used seasonally, it is advisable to use a biocide every time you refuel. Fuel that has been in the tank for more than six months should be replaced. Prevention pays off!
How does grotamar® 82 help combat bacteria in the diesel tank?
The product acts as a biocide. This means it kills bacteria, yeasts and fungi and prevents them from multiplying in the fuel. The product dissolves completely in the diesel and is thus distributed throughout the entire fuel system. With regular preventative dosing at every refuelling, no bio-sludge forms.