Restored contaminated diesel and improved generator reliability in data centre

Through fuel polishing of both day and storage tanks, previously contaminated diesel was restored to very low ISO cleanliness levels, strengthening the reliability of critical backup generators in a European data centre.

Application Snapshot

Industry:

Industry

Oil type:

Diesel fuel including biodiesel blends

Executive summary

Backup generators in a major European data centre must start reliably at all times. Although the fuel quality on site was generally good, no risk related to contamination, particles, or microbial growth could be accepted, and some stored diesel had been classified as contaminated and not usable.

A CJC® Fuel Polish Separator FPS 27/- was installed and operated on both a 1,600-litre day tank and an 8,000-litre storage tank. The trials demonstrated a significant improvement in fuel cleanliness to very low ISO codes and enabled recovery of diesel previously considered unusable, thereby increasing reliability and reducing risk of failure.

Talk To An Expert

Previously contaminated diesel restored

Fuel that had been classified as unusable was recovered through polishing and returned to acceptable condition.

Backup generator reliability strengthened

Improved fuel cleanliness reduced the risk of contamination-related failures and supported reliable generator start-up.

Fuel cleanliness significantly improved

Diesel fuel reached very low ISO cleanliness codes during polishing, reducing contamination levels in both day and storage tanks.

Continuous fuel condition monitoring

Online condition monitoring enabled ongoing tracking of fuel cleanliness throughout the fuel polishing process.

Client brief

The customer operates multiple backup generators in a European data centre, where reliable start-up is critical to maintaining uptime during power outages. Fuel quality must remain stable to ensure operational security.

Challenge

Although the fuel quality on site was generally good, the customer could not accept any risk that contamination, particles, microbial growth, or fuel instability could compromise backup generator start-up. Some stored diesel had already been classified as unusable, and the increasing use of biodiesel blends further increased the need for consistent fuel cleanliness and long-term stability.

Solution

A CJC® Fuel Polish Separator FPS 27/- was installed. The Fuel Polisher was installed for trial polishing on both a day tank and a storage tank. Cleanliness levels were monitored continuously using an online condition monitor installed on the Fuel Polisher.

Measured fuel cleanliness development

During polishing fuel cleanliness levels were continuously monitored via the online condition monitoring system. Both the 1,600-litre day tank and the 8,000-litre storage tank showed a significant improvement in ISO cleanliness codes during the test period.

Diesel previously classified as contaminated was restored to very low ISO cleanliness levels, demonstrating effective removal of particulate contamination and stabilisation of the stored fuel.

Results and operational impact

Polishing resulted in a significant improvement in fuel cleanliness and enabled recovery of diesel that had previously been considered unusable. The improved fuel condition reduced contamination risk and strengthened the reliability of critical backup generators.

Continuous monitoring during the trial provided documented verification of the cleanliness improvement and ensured controlled fuel quality throughout the process.

Let our experts help you

Get a tailored assessment of your oil condition

and keep your equipment running reliably

Talk to an expert