Tired of waiting for test results to come back four to ten
days after you've sent them to the lab? Concerned about an incurable
disease you might have picked up during your last foray into the
tropics? Did you know that the Hormoconis Resinae fungus poses
a serious threat to vital organs that can cause damage and that
it's seldom detected without an invasive procedure?
"This stuff actually can exist as spores in the atmosphere.
We suspect that it's as resilient as anthrax, but that's not yet
scientifically proven. It thrives in warm coastal climates and
the tropics," explained James Leslie, of Egham, Surrey-based
Conidia Bioscience, a UK firm exhibiting at Stand J11 in Hall
2B.
Conidia has developed a foolproof, ten minute, home test kit for
Hormoconis Resinae. It uses antigens to detect fungal antibodies
quite similar to a home pregnancy test kit. But Leslie cautions
that, just like a home pregnancy kits, his system can't detect
yeast or bacteriological organisms.
The test kit, however, isn't intended for use by airline employees,
unless of course, they're working on aircraft. Conidia's Fuelstat
kit checks for the presence of Hormoconis Resinae in aircraft
fuel systems. A related fungus is rumored to have originated in
the sap of trees growing in Malaysia, industry sources told Show
News. After commercial jets were introduced and when use of kerosene
fuel became widespread in the 1960s, the fungus mutated as Hormoconis
Resinae, an organism that thrives in and feeds on jet fuel when
there's enough water to provide oxygen for growth. The stuff even
will eat anti-icing fuel additives after they've aged and lost
potency.
Hormoconis Resinae can grow so aggressively that it blocks fuel
filters and jams fuel tank weep holes in ribs. "This forms
a large biomass on internal surfaces that you can scrape off with
a shovel," Leslie said.
In addition, the fungus can excrete a "metabolic effluent"
that's a serious health risk to internal fuel system components.
It converts alkane, a short chain hydrocarbon in jet fuel, into
a fatty citric acid that can corrode unprotected metal components
and fuel probes as a growth byproduct. So, maintenance personnel
must be vigilant in their look out for the fungus.
One prophylaxis calls for infusing the fuel system with a powerful
biocide. "But, it has serious side effects, similar to chemotherapy,"
Leslie cautioned. Biocide fuel additives are "nasty stuff"
that's tough on the environment and some countries might ban its
use. And when burned in turbine engines, biocide residue can erode
protective coatings on turbine blades.
The best way of curing Hormoconis Resinae requires draining the
entire fuel system and then thoroughly cleansing it. The best
way of preventing it is to ensure there's no water in your fuel,
both at the truck and in the tanks. Drain your sumps regularly,
just like most older pilots do.
