On April 4, 2014, Sergey L. Barbotko, chief of laboratory (VIAM), made a report at the II International Conference “Kerosenes-2014”. He told about danger of microbiological deteriorations of aircraft fuel systems and explained their causes.
According to the speaker, different types of fungi affect both fuel tanks and aviation fuel. There were cases, when such deteriorated fuel became the cause of filter clogging and, as a result, crash landings of aircraft.
According to normative documents, mycological tests are carried out under laboratory and natural conditions for studying mycological resistance of materials and fuel susceptibility to deterioration by microorganisms. Natural tests allow identification of microflora and revealing active types of microorganisms-biodestructors (which can be used for accelerated tests) and evaluate durability of protective agents. Tests are carried out on mycological stands located in different climatic zones. A biocide additive agent was developed by VIAM for disinfection of fuel tanks and protection of fuel against microbiological deterioration.