Ground_Support_September2020 - 29

FUEL

The reduction in movement of aircraft during the COVID-19 outbreak has
re-opened concerns over microbial contamination and the damage this can do to
aircraft systems, especially when they are
in hot, humid regions that facilitate the
rapid growth of micro-organisms.
Increased testing frequency of out of
place aircraft presents a real challenge for
the traditional laboratory testing associated
with this phenomenon. Immunoassay test
kits offer a practical, accurate, low cost
solution that can be easily used onsite by
a solo worker.

Results are relatively instantaneous and
the payback in preventing unnecessary biocide treatment or avoiding costly contamination is almost immediate.
Even as events unfold and we move
towards a "new normal" as social distancing
and the effects of the pandemic diminish,
many airlines are realizing that these kits
offer a practical long-term solution to meet
their testing requirements - with a process
that is resilient to any future disruption to
normal operations.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

In his role as aviation market manager, David Mitchell deals with all commercial
aviation and associated services for Conidia Bioscience Limited. He is responsible
for technical liaison with customers regarding potential fuel microbial contamination
issues, including training and implementation of testing solutions. Mitchell works
closely with the global distribution partner, Boeing Distribution Inc (formally Aviall),
as well as attending global and virtual conferences and discussions with IATA and other aviation
associations.

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sured for a known sample size. This shows
the presence of micro-organisms actively
growing in the fuel and gives indication of
contamination levels. Immunoassay testing
provides accurate levels of contamination
for all major aerobic contaminants that
are known to be fuel degrading and cause
issues to fuel systems.
Immunoassay test kits are a low-cost,
accurate testing option, providing results in
line with industry guidelines on acceptable
levels of microbial contamination, with a
clear "yes" or "no" as to whether the fuel is
contaminated. The kits indicate the level
of contamination using a "traffic light"
system, giving the engineer the necessary
data to decide whether biocide dosing or
a complete fuel drain and tank clean is
needed. No special training, handling,
storage or disposal, beyond the usual procedures for disposal of fuel, of the test kits
is required. The very nature of how the test
works means that there is minimal risk of
cross-contamination.
An added benefit during the current
global situation is that testing can be carried out by a single person and without
the creation of a paperwork trail, reducing
the risk of infection due to the coronavirus. These test kits have the unique added
benefit of a free result app, available for a
wide range of mobile devices on iOS and
Android. Users scan the test kit and get
instant digital verification of the test results
which they can store and share. Managers
have access to the report portal to track test
results across all of their assets in real time,
from anywhere around the globe.
The process comprises taking a sample
of fuel from the aircraft drain point, placing into the testing kit sample bottle and
shaking. Four drops of the fuel are then
put into six wells and, after 10 minutes, a
clear result is given.
The kits come with training videos to
help interpret results, but the free app is
provided to read test results from a mobile
device. The whole process can be completed
within 15 minutes. For the equivalent
laboratory test, this could take anywhere
between four and 10 days, or even longer
during times of social distancing and at a
time when many laboratories are experiencing high workloads due to the pandemic.

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HYDRAULICS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
HYD-3865.3

9201 Independence Ave., Chatsworth, CA 91311 USA
(Phone) 818.407.3400 | (Fax) 818.407.3428
www.hiigroup.com

Made in the U.S.A.

AviationPros.com/10017435

SEPTEMBER 2020

AviationPros.com

http://www.hiigroup.com http://www.AviationPros.com/10017435 http://www.AviationPros.com

Ground_Support_September2020

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