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Electrical Conductivity of the Turbine Fuel decreases with time , if it is 700 picosiemens at Merox outlet and after few days it declines to nearly 100 -200 picosiemens in the tanks, it is a normal phenomenon. We had found in certain cases the electrical conductivity has increased twice the observed value. Caustic, Surfactants were not found in the fuel. What are the reasons or factor , electrical conductivity of the fuel can increase ?
 
Answers
13/01/2015 A: Krishna Rao Pulugurti, Retired/Consultant, pkrao2012@yahoo.com
Merox Run Down contains small amounts of caustic which makes the conductivity higher as observed. But the caustic is removed in the water wash tower and so the conductivity goes down.
Tank's internal surfaces adsorb some of the conductivity additive which is released back into ATF. So the conductivity increases.
This is what I observed during my career. This could be a reason.
12/01/2015 A: Virendra Kapoor, Petroleum Refining Consultants, vkkapoor9@yahoo.com
Increase in conductivity might be due to contaminating materials like rust, water etc.