A proactive approach to fuel quality

Fuel contamination has a direct impact on a business’s bottom line. When gasoline and diesel fuel users see their equipment maintenance costs increasing and liability claims mounting, they’ve reached a point where they can no longer turn their back and look away.

Since the introduction of ethanol and ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) about a decade ago, a growing number of diesel and gasoline storage tanks and dispensing systems have experienced unusual and accelerated corrosion and bacteria problems. What might have taken 10 or 20 years previously was showing up in as little as 30 to 60 days.

At first, many in the industry wanted to blame ULSD for these corrosion problems or bacteria accumulation in the tank bottoms because the problem began to emerge about the same time the industry switched over to ULSD. But ULSD is not corrosive by itself, rather it’s the bacteria that forms that creates the issue. As mentioned previously, investigations found traces of ethanol in ULSD. Ethanol by itself isn’t corrosive but when combined with water in the fuel, it becomes the ‘food source’ that’s conducive to the growth of bacteria. This bacteria converts (oxidizes) ethanol into acetic acid, which is highly corrosive to mild carbon steel.

 A Preventative Maintenance Approach

Until the industry comes up with definitive solutions to these problems, visual observation and testing should be a regular part of your maintenance schedule. This includes fuel polishing if the problem exists. Quarterly inspections of your UST are best, semi-annually at least. Even if you’ve got fiberglass tanks, the pipes and fittings are typically steel.

You should also periodically look at the riser tube, joints and threads. If you see rust, you’ve got a problem. Also check your fuel filters. If you see material that resembles coffee grounds, you may have a corrosion issue.  Look for rust on the dispenser filter faceplates and if your filters have them, look at any steel springs. You’ll typically see sediment in the filter media. To determine if it’s rust, just pass a magnet over it. If you see or suspect corrosion, you need to get your fuel tanks tested. If they do test positive, you need to take some corrective measures, possibly adding biocides to your fuel storage, removing the bottom water from the tank and filtering the entire contents all the way to the dispensing nozzle.

The fuels today are here to stay. By taking a preventative ‘flu shot’ approach, you’re preserving the health of your tank system and ensuring the quality of your fuel while keeping your maintenance budget, sales and brand intact.

Seneca Companies is a large petroleum construction, service, distribution, environmental consulting and fuel restoration services provider. Seneca has nine physical branch locations throughout the Midwest, Southern and Mountain regions, with a service area spanning over 12 states and growing. 

Contact

Justin Richmond, Director of Fuel Quality Restoration
Seneca Companies Corporate Headquarters
4140 East 14th Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50313
515-350-8693
jrichmond@senecaco.com