What’s New – June 2011

STLE University Webinar – Emerging Issues in MWF Microbiology: Biofilm Control

Fred Passman will be presenting a webinar on Monday 20 July 2011 from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM (Eastern Daylight Time). During the webinar he’ll be discussing key concepts that industry stakholders must understand in order to effectively control biofilm accumulation in MWF systems.

For more information see the Webinar flier visit www.stle.org or contact Kara Lemar, STLE education manager at klemar@stle.org.

What’s New – April 2011

ASTM APPROVES NEW FUEL AND FUEL-ASSOCIATED WATER TEST METHOD

An ASTM Standard Test Method, based on LuminUltra Technologies’, has just been approved as ASTM D 7687, Method for the Measurement of Cellular Adenosine Triphosphate in Fuel, Fuel/Water Mixtures and Fuel-Associated Water with Sample Concentration by Filtration. Unlike Previous ATP test methods, the new Method has been demonstrated to not be affected by the Chemical interferences that have limited the overall usefulness of more traditional methods, such as ASTM D 4012and D 7463.

BCA ADDS SITU BIOSCIENCES TO LIST OF SYNERGISTIC PARTNERS

Situ Biosciences is an independent microbiological lab providing testing service and microbial consultancy, product formulation and development guidance on microbial product development and biodegradation testing.

What’s New – July 2009

ASTM APPROVES TWO NEW MICROBIOLOGICAL TEST METHODS FOR METALWORKING FLUIDS

In April 2009, ASTM approved two new Standard Test Methods. E 2657, Method for Determination of Endotoxin Concentration in Water-Miscible Metalworking Fluids, replaces an older Method: E 2250. E 2694, Method for Measurement of Adenosine Triphosphate in Water-Miscible Metalworking Fluids, is a new tool for measuring microbial biomass in MWF in less than 5-minutes….

Both new methods are available for…

What’s New – April 2009

FOR ATP IN FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND METALWORKING FLUIDS SHOW GREAT PROMISE

Recently approved ASTM D 7463 (ATP in Fuel) works great for rapidly determining biomass in conventional fuels. However, D7463 depends on an aqueous extraction step in which the extraction reagent pulls microbes out of the fuel sample. This step makes it impossible to use the method for determining ATP in fuels that retain water (for example ethanol-blended gasolines and some biodiesel fuels), or from high water-content fluids like metalworking fluids. Recently, working in collaboration with LuminUltra Technologies, LTD, BCA has developed a method that overcomes these problems. Biomass in fluid samples is first concentrated by filtration. Non-biomass contaminants retained on the filter are rinsed off using a proprietary rinsing agent (U.S. patents 7,556,933 and 7.829,280). This step removes chemicals that typically interfere with the ATP test. The contaminant-free cells retained by the filter are then treated to release their ATP. The evaluation of this new method for use in biodiesel and ethanol-blended fuels was presented at a conference in January (see Using ATP to Quantify Biomass in Fuel Systems). The results of a three-month, 12-system field evaluation of ATP testing in metalworking fluids will be presented in May at this year’s STLE Annual Meeting. Proposed new Standard Test Methods for ATP in fuels and metalworking fluids, respectively, are currently being balloted within ASTM.

Watch this page for further developments!

What’s New – January 2009

ASTM DEVELOPS NEW METHOD FOR TESTING BIOMASS IN FUELS AND FUEL-ASSOCIATED WATER

Historical test methods for detecting microbial contamination in fuels (for example ASTM D6974 ) depended on the ability of microbes to form colonies on specific growth media. These methods were time consuming and typically required a 2-30 day incubation period before final results were obtained. ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is a molecule that is present in all bacteria, fungi, plant and animal cells. Hence, it is an excellent marker for detecting biomass. The test can be performed at the sampling site, and results can be obtained in a matter of minutes. (learn more…)

What’s New – November-December 2008

Looking Back…A fresh look at five articles that were published in National Petroleum News in the 1990’s

A look back 6 – Microbes and Fuel Retailing

A look back 5 – Opening Your Biocide Toolbox

A look back 3 – Controlling Microbial Contamination

A look back 2 – Knowing When You Have Microbial Contamination

A look back 1 – Uncontrolled Microbes Eat Earnings

What We Need to Know in Order to Understand the Health Risks of Exposure to Metalworking Fluid Microbes

Read papers published in January 2008 issue of Tribology Transactions

Non-Conventional Methods for Estimating Fuel System Bioburdens Rapidly

Proceedings of the 6th International Filtration Conference, G.B. Bessee Ed. Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio (2004) (learn more…)

Practical Applications: Microbial Problems in Metalworking Fluids.

Understanding four significant factors can help control microbial contamination in metalworking operations. (learn more…)

ASTM DEVELOPS NEW PRACTICE FOR COLLECTING FUEL & FUEL SYSTEM SAMPLES FOR MICROBIOLOGICAL TESTING

For decades, ASTM D 4057 (Practice for Manual Sampling of Petroleum and Petroleum Products) for guidance on how to collect samples. Unfortunately, D 4057 does not provide any infromation specific to collecting samples one which microbiological tests will be performed. In August 2008, ASTM published a new Standard – D 7464 Practice for Manual Sampling of Liquid Fuels, Associated Materials and Fuel System Components for Microbiological Testing.

FUEL AND FUEL SYSTEM MICROBIOLOGY: FUNDAMENTALS, DIAGNOSIS AND CONTAMINATION CONTROL – A NEW ASTM MANUAL

In June 2003, ASTM International published Manual 47: Fuel and Fuel System.