What is the MicrobMonitor2 test used for?
Identifying and quantifying microbial contamination in petroleum products in storage, distribution and use including:
- Aviation, automotive, power & marine fuel
- Bio-fuel, heavy fuel and crude oil
- Lubricants and hydraulic oil
- Metal working fluids and straight cutting oils
- Water associated with any of the above
It is also a sensitive test for detecting microbes in water and any other fluid sample.
Each pack includes 5 test kits.
Why test for microbes in fuel?
Microbial contamination has caused aircraft to abort take off, ships to be taken out of service and power generator bearings to fail. Contamination can, if detected early, be treated and severe operational problems can be avoided.
Routine condition monitoring as part of a good housekeeping regime can significantly improve asset utilization and reduce operational risks.
Microbial contamination in fuels can cause:
- Filter plugging, blocking of fuel and oil lines
- Excessive wear and failure of expensive injectors and injector pumps
- Corrosion of tanks, bearings and other systems
What is the test?
- A small glass bottle containing a thixotropic nutritive gel formulated specifically to grow microbes associated with fuel and oil spoilage
- Sold in boxes of five tests with sterile devices for measuring and dispensing fuel, oil and water samples
- A simple, quick and safe way of assessing the numbers of colony forming units (CFU), the standard unit for measuring numbers of microbes.
Who can use the test?
Anyone - full instructions are supplied and no special skills or equipment are needed.
Is the test reliable?
MicrobMonitor2 was developed originally for use in the aviation industry for testing jet fuel and is recommended by IATA and listed in the Aircraft Maintenance Manuals of Boeing, Airbus and other major aircraft OEMs. Major airlines have been using the test for many years.
As the test uses the same technology as used in standard laboratory-based tests it produces results comparable with IP 385 and ASTM 6974-03.
The test is used by the military and is a codified NATO stock item (Stock No. 6640-99-834-3573).
Why use MicrobMonitor2?
- Works with any petroleum product and associated water
- Approved by major OEMs and oil companies and adopted widely
- Quick and easy to use, more economic than laboratory tests
- Uses the reliable and trusted colony forming unit (CFU) technology
- No specialist skills or equipment required
- Results are comparable with IP385 and ASTM D-6974-03
- Detects low level contamination for an early warning of potential problems
- Indicates the severity of an infection not just the presence of microbes as with “go, no-go” tests
- Unaffected by biocides, DIEGME or additives so can validate the efficacy of any treatment
- Only detects live microbes and mould spores, other tests give positive results for hours or even days after microbes have been killed by a biocide treatment
- Oil and water phases can be tested
- Detects active Hormoconis resinae and other moulds, yeasts and bacteria
- Detects mould spores which some other tests cannot
Regular testing of fuel can prevent serious problems and save money, find out how.
