_Sheffjs_
Member
Posts: 5613
Jerry & Sherry Sheffer
Sarasota FL
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« on: June 08, 2021, 05:12:53 PM » |
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At work we have a 300g diesel double wall tank that runs a large generator for the building, I bi-annually have a service filter the tank, usually when 1/2 full. This above ground tank mounted to a concrete slab is near Sarasota Bay and no doubt the salty air effects our stuff. This tank was installed in 1999. How on earth to I get an expected remaining life expectancy?
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« Last Edit: June 08, 2021, 05:14:25 PM by _Sheffjs_ »
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Bronxboy
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« Reply #1 on: June 08, 2021, 06:12:18 PM » |
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Change it out now for a Fiberglass tank  |
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Jess from VA
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« Reply #3 on: June 08, 2021, 06:24:05 PM » |
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Whatever you do, never ask the EPA.
The Air Force had so much trouble (fines, litigation) with (aircraft) fuel storage, they started sending our Jags back to school for a masters in environmental law. A bunch of them.
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scooperhsd
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« Reply #4 on: June 08, 2021, 06:27:52 PM » |
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Are you looking for life of the fuel, or life of the tank before it rusts through ?
Fuel - your biggest "issue" is how much "gunk" has been allowed to grow inside the tank. Hopefully you try to burn it to less than 1/8th of the tank capacity at least once per year, then fill it up with fresh fuel. (treated with a fungicide).
Tank - Carolina's link looks pretty good. It is probably on the conservative side.
You may want to check if the requirements for the concrete slab have changed since it was installed. You may be required to have a ridge on it so spilled fuel can't reach the ground now. Considering that can turn into a SuperFund site really quickly - you might want to anyway....
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_Sheffjs_
Member
Posts: 5613
Jerry & Sherry Sheffer
Sarasota FL
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« Reply #5 on: June 08, 2021, 06:49:43 PM » |
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The tanks life is my concern, the fuel is used during the weekly generator test and during power failures. The weekly test is a loaded test so I do use the fuel, filling it annually, usually 150 gallons so it is a half tank when fueled and I use a service bi-annually that filters the fuel and cleans the tank. This tank is double walled and diesel fuel. The concern is its proximity to the Sarasota Bay and salty air is murder on our HVAC water towers etc.
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« Last Edit: June 08, 2021, 06:51:53 PM by _Sheffjs_ »
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Rams
Member
Posts: 16205
So many colors to choose from yet so few stand out
Covington, TN
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« Reply #6 on: June 08, 2021, 06:58:29 PM » |
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The tanks life is my concern, the fuel is used during the weekly generator test and during power failures. The weekly test is a loaded test so I do use the fuel, filling it annually, usually 150 gallons so it is a half tank when fueled and I use a service bi-annually that filters the fuel and cleans the tank. This tank is double walled and diesel fuel. The concern is its proximity to the Sarasota Bay and salty air is murder on our HVAC water towers etc.
Back in the day, I did this kind of work but, that was in KY. I don't know FL's regs. I'd suggest calling FL's version of the EPA and asking You don't have to tell them who you are or, where the tank is located. Believe it or not, they are there to help. Having said that, most older installs are grandfathered so, I wouldn't be too worried. New tank installs is where they normally get harder. Rams |
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VRCC# 29981
Learning the majority of life's lessons the hard way.
Every trip is an adventure, enjoy it while it lasts.
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sandy
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« Reply #7 on: June 08, 2021, 10:22:46 PM » |
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EPA requires double containment. I assume the double wall is “double containment”. Do you have sensors to detect a leak in the containment? If not, a drain valve should be on a daily checklist for the operator. Don’t worry about life. Your first leak will be small and give you time to replace the tank.
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MarkT
Member
Posts: 5196
VRCC #437 "Form follows Function"
Colorado Front Range - elevation 2.005 km
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« Reply #8 on: June 09, 2021, 07:28:44 AM » |
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Hmm. I didn't realize diesel fuel storage has issues like this. Now I'm concerned on the diesel fuel in my Kubota's tank. I keep it topped up most of the time. Didn't know stuff can grow in it. The tank is plastic so I'm guessing corrosion is not an issue. I also have 2 diesel fuel cans full all the time. Never thought of any kind of preservative for diesel.
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RP#62
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« Reply #9 on: June 09, 2021, 08:54:49 AM » |
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Hmm. I didn't realize diesel fuel storage has issues like this. Now I'm concerned on the diesel fuel in my Kubota's tank. I keep it topped up most of the time. Didn't know stuff can grow in it. The tank is plastic so I'm guessing corrosion is not an issue. I also have 2 diesel fuel cans full all the time. Never thought of any kind of preservative for diesel.
Don't know about diesel tank, but in aircraft fuel tanks, microrganisms live at the kerosine/water interface. Their byproducts are acidic and will corrode the crap out of aluminum and I assume steel as well. We opened up a DC-9 tank one time for heavy check and it looked like a reef in there - it was a brownish slime. We began a biocide regimen - every so many operating hours, biocide was added to the fuel to kill the bugs and we increased our sumping interval to keep the water accumulation to a minimum. -RP |
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Jess from VA
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« Reply #11 on: June 09, 2021, 01:26:17 PM » |
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I'm sure that will buff right out.  ------- If that was my company, the first thing I would do is look for the paperwork (contract) on the install of that tank, and then contact that company and ask them to look it over and what they think about it. |
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« Last Edit: June 09, 2021, 01:37:33 PM by Jess from VA »
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_Sheffjs_
Member
Posts: 5613
Jerry & Sherry Sheffer
Sarasota FL
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« Reply #12 on: June 09, 2021, 02:01:04 PM » |
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I'm sure that will buff right out. ------- If that was my company, the first thing I would do is look for the paperwork (contract) on the install of that tank, and then contact that company and ask them to look it over and what they think about it. It will be the same answer as the HVAC (Trane)........ You placed it near the salt water. I have reached out to the company with pictures, waiting for reply. Im sure it is time for a new tank and it looks like the prices are not that bad.  |
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« Last Edit: June 09, 2021, 02:07:00 PM by _Sheffjs_ »
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Rams
Member
Posts: 16205
So many colors to choose from yet so few stand out
Covington, TN
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« Reply #13 on: June 09, 2021, 05:01:05 PM » |
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Depending on the wall thickness, that may be able to be cleaned up and repainted. Of course, replacing the tank is never a bad idea. My biggest concern would be that there doesn't appear to be any barrier to keep that potential leak or spill from soaking into the ground (when it eventually does happen. Groundwater contamination is something the EPA looks at as a pretty serious issue.
Rams
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VRCC# 29981
Learning the majority of life's lessons the hard way.
Every trip is an adventure, enjoy it while it lasts.
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OnaWingandaPrayer
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« Reply #14 on: June 09, 2021, 06:11:42 PM » |
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Safe-T-Tank corp list stainless steel fuel tanks . For your above ground application next to bay I think the stainless would be preferable to fiberglass or plastics. I would be concerned about UV degradation of the fibreglass and plastic types.
I expect other companies would also build stainless.
Using the fungicides and regular filtering should keep your fuel in good condition.
At work my CAT 3516s use about a 80/90 gallons an hour at full load(1500KW). We add fungicide twice a year. our filters change at 100 hours. It's impressive what can be filtered out with the fuel polishing service.
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