De-Bug Video
FAQs
DE-BUG Brochure
Q. How does it work?
A. De-Bug Fuel Treatment Units are static magnetic inline devices that create an optimum magnetic flux field density directly responsible for destruction of the cell membrane. Exposing the microbes to a strong, changing magnetic field will ensure maximum destruction of the cells. The debris stays randomly suspended in the fuel and due to their sub-micron size easily pass through engine components and burn with the fuel.
Q. Need a more in depth answer?
Why Bacteria Hate Magnets. Research paper by Monya Phillips PHD
Q. How does it clean up the tank as well as the engine?
A. The De-Bug cleans, polishes and decontaminates the fuel in the fuel line. Some of the diesel in the fuel line is used for combustion and the remainder is used as a lubricant to (amongst other things) cool the injectors. This decontaminated lubricating diesel fuel is returned to the fuel tank ready to be used again.
While running your engine your tank is also being cleaned and decontaminated.
Q. Is it a Filter?
A. No. The De-Bug Fuel Treatment Unit is not a filter and does not restrict flow, nor does it supply any chemicals to destroy micro-organisms.
Q. How cost effective is it?
A. De-Bug is a cost effective, one time, permanent installation, with no moving parts, no electrical hook-up, and maintenance that may require only an occasional cleaning. And unlike chemical biocides, micro-organisms which have been destroyed by the De-Bug unit do not collect at the bottom of fuel tanks. Instead, the debris stays randomly suspended in the fuel and due to their sub-micron size easily pass through engine components. They are then burned with the fuel and leave no build-up in tanks. Remember, if you have to clean the fuel tanks once, you will most likely pay more than installing a De-Bug.
Q. What about pressure drop?
A. Through careful design, DE-BUG units show no pressure drop across the recommended unit for a specified flow rate.
Q. Will the fitting of a DE-BUG unit save on fuel costs?
A. Anecdotal evidence strongly suggests that the effective control of microbial contamination through using a DE-BUG unit will save on fuel costs.
Q. Will the fitting of a DE-BUG unit reduce engine smoke emissions?
A. Yes. When diesel bug is removed from the fuel then combustion improves reducing engine smoke emissions. Even in so called clean engines the fitting of a DE-BUG in some cases has helped to reduce harmful emissions.
Q. What is the maximum temperature in which a De-Bug unit will operate?
A. With regard to the components which make up all De-Bug units.
A. Rubber ‘O’ Ring – maximum 107¢ªC.
B. Internal washers – maximum 90¢ªC. (Polyethylene – YUCLAIR JL210)
C. Magnet spacers – maximum 170¢ªC. (Acetal Copolymer LUCEL N109-02)
D. Ceramic magnets will tolerate up to 100¢ªC.
We do not recommend our units in any situation where heated fluid enters the unit beyond the maximum temperature tolerance level of the PVC internal washers.
Q. Other systems use a single magnet and claim similar success. What makes your product using a three magnet stack different?
A. Put simply, the patented Tri-Mag stack through its design of strategically spaced magnets and spacers allows for the required turbulence and maximum exposure to a changing oscillating magnetic field necessary to kill these organisms. When the fuel and microbes flow between the magnets and through the centre of the middle magnet in the Tri-Mag™ stack, the flow path causes the microbial cells to experience the maximum levels of magnetic flux density from several different angles, and 24 changes in polarity of the magnetic field. This overwhelming attack from all directions, combined with the oscillating field strength can eliminate microbial contamination when used in a fuel system where fuel is re-circulated through the De-Bug unit either on a periodic or continuous basis. Through our careful research we have found, It is NOT the strength of the magnet which causes the real damage it is the time in the chamber being subjected to a changing magnetic field. For this reason We believe our unit to be the best in the world.
Q. What are these Micro-organisms?
A. Once bacteria, moulds and yeasts in fuel have grown to be visible their colonies consist of millions of individual cells. Very simply stated, all micro-organisms are single-celled with a membrane surrounding them. The unit membrane physically contains the cell and the proteins needed for survival while maintaining separation between the internal cell and the external environment. Ions, which are electrically charged, travel across this membrane and their movement is essential for the organism’s life.
Q. What is Microbial Contamination?
A. Microbial contamination of petroleum products is a serious problem especially in the marine industry and in common rail diesel engines. Many bacteria, moulds and yeasts are able to degrade hydrocarbons and yet more are able to feed on the intermediate by-products of the degradation. Given the right conditions, a single cell weighing one millionth of a gram can grow to a biomass of slimy algae weighing 10 kilograms (22 pounds) within 24 hours.
Q. What are the effects of Microbial Contamination?
A. The physical effects of microbiological contamination are the formation of biological sludge, biofilms (slimes) and surface or interfacial scums. These mainly occur in the fuel tank and also manifest themselves as material which block filters.
A number of microbial and chemical processes produce corrosive by-products including strong organic acids and sulphides. These can degrade protective coatings such as paints, rubber, some plastics and metal oxide films as well as destroy or inactivate chemical corrosion inhibitors and cause hydrogen embrittlement of metals. Black deposits on copper or copper containing alloys in pipe work and bearings as well as pitting are evidence of microbial induced corrosion.
Engines rely on high quality fuel that has been properly filtered and separated (from water), with no flow restrictions, to achieve proper atomisation, combustion, engine performance and fuel efficiency. Fuel that is infected with bacteria is not reliable and there are many and varied consequences of using contaminated fuel.
These include:
1. encouraging growth of further contamination
2. fuel filter clogging and blockage
3. coalesce malfunctions
4. engine wear due to variations in fuel flow
5. corrosion of the fuel system
6. corrosion of engine fuel injectors
7. damage to in-line instruments
Engine fuel injection equipment and fuel pumps are most susceptible to the effects of microbial contamination resulting in corrosive damage.
Ultimately, performance suffers and fuel consumption and maintenance costs increase, but perhaps the most critical concern is the real potential for blockages in the fuel system which cause engine failure while underway – with potentially devastating consequences.
Q. What are the effects of using Biocides?
A. Biocides are frequently used to treat severe contamination of diesel bug, however many of them are hazardous chemicals and require careful handling. Although some are marketed as being “environmentally friendly”, many are harmful to the environment and waste disposal contractors may need to be called in if waste containing dead microbes and biocide are to be removed.
There are some excellent bio-cides on the market but regular dosing into the fuel system can actually cause more problems. The fallout of dead cells collecting on the bottom of the tank forms a sludge material that can still find its way into the fuel system, clogging fuel lines and filters, potentially leading to performance problems and possibly engine damage. This can be especially true in rough weather when the contents of the tank are effectively shaken into suspension. Some additive type Bio-cides actually absorb the water which then passes through the water filter and causes damage to pumps and injectors.
Many Bio-cides and additives will void manufacturer warantees.
Furthermore, over time biocides lose their effectiveness as microbes build up immunity to the chemicals.
Thus biocides can actually contribute to the problems of microbial contamination; not only by causing a large amount of sludge to build up but by also giving a crew a false sense of security.
Q. What is the Kill Rate?
A. The patented design of multiple ceramic permanent magnets located within the unit, when properly sized and strategically placed, have been scientifically shown to have a 97.6% efficiency in destroying the damaging micro-organisms within a single pass.
Q. Where in the fuel line should I install my De-Bug unit?
A. The De-Bug Fuel Treatment Unit should be mounted as close as possible to the main fuel supply source (fuel tank) and in the fuel line after any strainer or water separator but before the primary filter. Full installation instructions are included with each unit.
Although marketed especially for diesel, De-Bug has been proven effective in other gases,biofuels, liquids or powder suffering contamination. They can be used to reduce bacterial contamination in oils and other refinery fuels such as kerosene.