Diesel Contamination and Onboard Fuel Filtration Course
This course teaches you to detect, prevent and treat diesel contamination on boats, from water to microorganisms and sludge. You will learn to design the filtration circuit and to apply fuel polishing and tank cleaning.
Prior knowledge check
These are the skills this program gives you. Tick the ones you already master and we will tell you which part of the syllabus is for you.
You are starting from scratch in this subject. The program is designed precisely for that.
What is the Diesel Contamination and Onboard Fuel Filtration Course?
This short course teaches you to detect, prevent and treat diesel contamination on boats: free and emulsified water, microbial growth and sludge. You will take samples from the bottom of the tank and use detection kits, size filters by micron rating and return flow, set up recirculation polishing systems and centrifugal separators, and clean tanks safely, from access to sludge removal and prevention.
What sets this course apart: a root-cause approach to water, bacteria, fungi and FAME; effective filtration, with micron ratings, flow rates and duplex filters; diagnosis through samples, test kits and engine symptoms; tanks, covering inspection, cleaning and vents; and an applied case in which you redesign a fuel circuit.
Program highlights
- Root cause: water, bacteria, fungi and the effect of FAME biodiesel.
- Effective filtration: micron ratings, flow rates and switchable duplex filters.
- Diagnosis: tank samples, test kits and engine symptoms.
- Tanks: inspection, cleaning, sumps and vents.
- Fuel polishing: recirculation systems and centrifugal separators.
- Applied case: diagnosis and redesign of a sailing yacht's fuel circuit.
Syllabus of the Diesel Contamination and Onboard Fuel Filtration Course
5 modules. Select a module to see its content.
Marine diesel and its properties
- 1.1. Composition of diesel, EN 590 standard, cetane number, viscosity and cold filter plugging point
- 1.2. FAME biodiesel: hygroscopic behavior, oxidation and effect on storage stability
- 1.3. Road diesel versus marine diesel; sulfur content and MARPOL Annex VI requirements
- 1.4. Degradation through aging: formation of gums, sediment and darkening of the fuel
- 1.5. Requirements of modern common rail diesel engines for fuel cleanliness and pressure
Types of contamination and diagnosis
- 2.1. Free water, emulsified water and condensation in tanks caused by temperature changes
- 2.2. Microbial contamination: bacteria, fungi and yeasts at the water-diesel interface
- 2.3. Solid particles, rust, sludge and manufacturing debris from the tank or hoses
- 2.4. Tank-bottom sampling, visual inspection and test kits for water and microbes
- 2.5. Engine symptoms: loss of power, smoke, clogged filters and injector wear
Fuel circuit and filtration
- 3.1. Circuit layout: pick-up, valves, pre-filter, priming pump, fine filter and return
- 3.2. Primary water-separating filters: 30, 10 and 2 micron elements and settling bowl
- 3.3. Switchable duplex filters, restriction vacuum gauges and element change criteria
- 3.4. Fuel hoses to ISO 7840, double clamping and prevention of air ingress
- 3.5. Bleeding the circuit after filter changes and solving loss-of-prime problems
Tanks, polishing and treatments
- 4.1. Tank design: materials, sumps, baffles, inspection hatches and vents
- 4.2. Fuel polishing systems: pump, staged filtration and cycle programming
- 4.3. Centrifugal and coalescing separators: operating principle and onboard applications
- 4.4. Biocides, stabilizing additives and dispersants: dosing, limits and responsible use
- 4.5. Manual and mechanical tank cleaning, sludge removal and waste management
Prevention, protocols and practical case
- 5.1. Good refuelling practice: suppliers, funnel filters and full tanks over winter
- 5.2. Periodic inspection plan: sampling, water draining and a log of filter changes
- 5.3. What to do when the engine stops underway because of contaminated fuel
- 5.4. Safety when handling diesel, spills, absorbents and environmental regulations
- 5.5. Practical case: diagnosis and redesign of the fuel circuit of a sailing yacht with polishing
Duration and format of the Diesel Contamination and Onboard Fuel Filtration Course
It is 300 hours. Tell us how many you can study each week and we will tell you when you will really finish.
This is the pace at which most students finish. It fits well with the installment plan.
Academic leadership and faculty
The Navalis teaching team: working professionals who teach and supervise the programs.
Dr. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance
Eng. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints
Capt. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Senior Lecturer in Ship Handling, Electronic Navigation (ECDIS/Radar/ARPA) and GMDSS; STCW Compliance and Bridge Resource Management Coordinator
Dr. Pau FerrerSenior Lecturer in Naval Architecture and Simulation; Director of the Hydrodynamics and CFD Laboratory
Dr. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator
Eng. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator
Eng. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line
Eng. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration CoordinatorObjectives of the Diesel Contamination and Onboard Fuel Filtration Course
Career opportunities after the Diesel Contamination and Onboard Fuel Filtration Course
Questions about the Diesel Contamination and Onboard Fuel Filtration Course
It is the microbial contamination that grows at the interface between water and diesel. It forms sludge that clogs filters; the course explains how to detect and eliminate it.
Yes. FAME absorbs more moisture and oxidises sooner, which encourages water and microorganisms. The course studies its effects and the preventive measures.
Yes. Module 3 covers micron ratings, flow rates and the combination of pre-filter and fine filter according to the engine manufacturer's recommendations.
It is an independent circuit that recirculates diesel from the tank through filters. The course covers its design, sizing and programming.
Module 5 sets out a step-by-step response: switching filters, draining water, bleeding the circuit and restarting safely, followed by the checks to make once in port.
The course is taught online and comprises 300 hours of study across 5 modules of about 60 hours each and ends with an applied practical case.
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Admission process
No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enroll in the same session.
- Profile: aimed at diesel mechanics, marine maintenance technicians, crew members and engineers who manage fuel on board, boat owners and boatyard staff who want to prevent breakdowns caused by contaminated fuel and improve onboard filtration.
- Language: sufficient command of English to follow the classes and the technical documentation.
- Technical resources: a computer with a stable internet connection, an up-to-date browser and a camera for live sessions and project presentations.
- Admission: enrollment is open all year round; online application, review of your profile and a short interview with the academic team.
- 01ApplicationYour details, background and documents.
- 02Instant reviewWe check that everything is complete and in order.
- 03EnrollmentChoose full payment or instalments and reserve your place.
Admission is provisional until the committee validates the documents provided. If you do not meet the requirements, the full amount is refunded.
Ask us before you enroll
Leave your details and admissions will write to you to answer any questions. If you are already sure, you can apply and pay in the same session.