Questions Frequently asked questions about magnetic units and the RCI Purifier Question: How is it possible that the gas oil that I buy from my supplier contains water, contaminants and bacteria, when it should be "clean" as it comes from the refinery? Answer: From the refinery to the final consumer, the product has to go a long way. In pipelines for instance, fuel may become contaminated with iron particles (as a result of wear). In a storage tank, condensation water and fine dust may be absorbed through the breather (the tank must be able to "breath" in case of temperature differences). This process also takes place in lighters, bunker stations and even in your own bunkers... Question: Is there anything that can be done about it? Answer: Yes indeed. A large number of bunker stations has already installed a magnetic unit, so that they are able to supply sterile gas oil (= free from living bacteria). In addition, RCI Purifiers are available now. The RCI Purifiers not only eliminate all the free water from the gas oil, but also all contaminants larger than 5 micron. A number of bunker stations/ships have already been equipped with this system (list of references available on request). These systems are now also available for larger gas oil flows; however, due to the large international demand, a delivery time must be taken into account for this segment. Question: So if I bunker gas oil at a bunker station that uses such systems, I will not have any problems? Answer: That is not entirely true. If you bunker clean gas oil, free from bacteria and water, and put it in a dirty, contaminated bunker, all efforts and investments of your gas oil supplier have been in vain. You will also have to make sure that your gas oil system is in good order and stays that way. Therefore, you will have to install the same kind of devices on your ship. Question: Is it always necessary to install a Knock-Down magnet? Answer: It depends on the circumstances. If your fuel system is contaminated, the Knock-down magnet will continuously provide your fuel with the much-needed treatment. If your system is not contaminated (this time), at least you will prevent it from getting contaminated the next time. Just compare the situation with your computer. You want to protect your data against external viruses. Do you wait until your computer is already contaminated or do you install anti-virus software? Question: If I install a Knock-Down magnet, is it still necessary to also install a RCI Purifier? Answer: Yes it is. Bacteria in your bunker form a slimy mass that is suspended in the gas oil. The RCI Purifier eliminates this biomass plus all the free water and contaminants larger than 5 micron (see test report Inpechem) without using exchangeable filters. As a result, the burden on your normal fuel filters is significantly reduced and you save a lot of money. Question: Is it possible to protect the fuel in the storage tank this way? Answer: Yes indeed. The frequent circulation of the fuel by a Knock-Down magnet also keeps your gas oil in the bunkers free from microorganisms. Question: There are other magnetic systems available on the market, some of them with several magnets. Are they not better? Answer: No, the number of magnets in the unit makes no difference. The only thing that is important is the total field intensity of the magnet (or magnets). This intensity is expressed in Tesla. The unit of magnetic field intensity. A magnet of, for instance, 1 Tesla is equally effective as 4 magnets of 0.25 Tesla. Moreover, when using multiple magnets, the unit has to be cleaned frequently. This in contrast with the maintenance-free "direct flow" Knock-Down magnet. Question: Does the Knock-Down unit have more advantages? Answer: Yes, the majority of the magnetic units are made of aluminium; Shipping Inspectorates could make an issue of this. The Knock-Down unit is entirely made of steel and is manufactured according to ISO 9001