Is Your Fuel Maintained?
This sample was taken from a tank that supplies a standby generator set for critical backup. The tank is a 2000 gallon below ground tank. The company stated that they currently had a maintenance company who was taking care of the fuel. The maintenance company would sample the tank periodically, recommend a treatment program, then add a series of chemicals to the stored fuel that was supposed to bring the fuel back to life and give the company uninterrupted backup of the generator plant. When enough water and sludge built up at the tank bottom the maintenance company would come in and pump the tank bottom and discard the sludge. What we have learned:
No two tanks are the same. The things that affect one tank may not affect the other. The things that you cannot see will hurt you and your power plant. Simple chemical insertions will not repair poor fuel quality. Proper fuel polishing requires an understanding of how the problem occurs.
Sampling the fuel:
It is critical to sample a tank prior to a tank cleaning/polishing operation. This is done to minimize filter consumption and a tech’s time on site. Sampling is typically done off of the tank bottom by a bacon bomb or tube from a sampling pump. The required quantity for lab testing is 16 ounces. If the tank is 10,000 gallons or larger then a mid-tank sample is also required. An alternative method to use prior to the lab is a visual test. When sampling, fill a pint size Mason jar and allow a few minutes for the fuel to settle. This will give you a better idea through a visual exam what you are dealing with and how to start. A second option (not to replace the sampling procedure) is to run a Veeder Root report. This will show the amount of fuel in the tank and most importantly the amount of free water at the tank bottom.
Why is this important?
When servicing a tank it is critical to remove as much sludge and water as possible prior to the filtration process. Not only will this save filters and time on site in the competitive market of tank cleaning but also save the tank from pitting and potentially leaking as a result of the acidic properties of this sludge. This process also allows you to carry enough empty containers so you can transport and discard the tank bottom sludge without stopping to procure extra sludge vessels. The ultimate goal in tank cleaning/polishing is to return the customer’s fuel to clear, bright, and spec condition. To do this efficiently you must plan for the job. Removing the tank bottom sludge is your first step in staying on budget. You want to be sure that when you switch the machine to the filtering process you get the maximum life from a filter and avoid premature filter stoppage. This cuts costs and reduces stress on the machine.
To learn how to solve this and other fuel related items visit: www.Cleanfuelmanagement.com
