AST Fuel Storage

Four steps to help your customers protect their fuel investment

By Michael Delaney

The use of newer fuels that are less stable and prone to contamination creates the need for regular tank cleaning.

Regardless of the need, stored fuel sitting in ASTs must perform as expected. Poor fuel performance can result in financial loss or threatened personal safety. Several trends have led to an increased need for and attention to fuel storage:

1. The sources of diesel and heating oil have changed to include various crude grades and alternative fuels that are more viscous and prone to contamination.
   
   
2. Clean air and energy independence initia-tives have required new fuel formulation, like the required reduction of sulfur in diesel. These new fuels often act as solvents, causing decades of accumulated grime to suspend in the fuel.
   
   
3. Dramatic advancement in the efficiency of the fuel-powered equipment makes equipment more susceptible to fuel quality problems.

In recent years, equipment and fuel advancements were made in reaction to energy shortages and environmental concerns. These advancements, however, have costs that include increased prices and fuels that are less stable and prone to contamination. Major storage tank contaminants are water, microbial growth, particulate matter and fuel breakdown byproducts, causing increased wear and corrosion, clogging, degraded performance and equipment failure. A robust fuel storage plan can prevent potential issues, protect fuel investments and ensure ultimate performance and reliability.

Protecting Fuel Investments
When fuel costs rose last year, fuel users changed their buying behaviors. Some users, i.e., farmers, fill their tanks at the end of the planting season, storing it until the harvest. Backup generator owners never know when they will need their fuel, and it may sit for years. While it makes sense for users to buy fuel just before it is used, fuel will likely be stored for an extended period of time and will require more care.

As petroleum equipment professionals, you are well aware of the many issues facing fuel tank owners, and educating them about fuel storage risks and problems is your responsibility. It's crucial to provide customers with guidance about the proper care of their equipment, as proper care will lead to long-term efficient and reliable operation and will help users avoid losing a fuel load. You must provide fuel storage stewardship to your customers.

Protecting fuel investments and ensuring that the fuel load will perform can be accomplished in four steps:

Step 1: Prepare the fuel storage environment. Inspect the tanks and piping and fix leaks, corrosion or damage.

Step 2: Remove existing contaminants and sediments. It is self-defeating to put clean fuel into an environment ripe for future contamination.

Step 3: Assess that ongoing fuel filtering and conditioning are adequate and reliable.

Step 4: Prepare a storage maintenance plan that includes scheduled testing, assessment and periodic maintenance of the fuel storage system, not just the fuel-powered equipment. Consider the conditions under which the fuel is stored, fuel types, and special requirements and usage of the fuel.

Fuel System Maintenance Plan
There are tools to prepare, maintain and, when needed, decontaminate fuel tanks. Tank cleaning, fuel polishing and treatment processes are readily available and can be incorporated into maintenance or service plans.

Develop a simple, clear message for your customers. They must know that today's fuels are significantly different and require extra care. In addition to reviewing their maintenance costs, you should also review the equipment's performance and efficiency. A review of your customer's maintenance history may show them that over they years they have paid more to resolve issues caused by poor fuel than they have spent on maintenance. Show how the costs of your services are justified in reduced equipment repair, improved performance and reduced risk of fuel loss.

A primary benefit of providing a fuel system plan is the increased positive interaction with your customers, which will enhance your reputation as an energy expert. The plan development will also be a chance to find other equipment and service opportunities. Maintenance tasks can be done during off-peak times, keeping your crews busy during slow times. Most important, the plan will enhance your ability to deliver products with perceived high quality and efficiency to your customers.

Delivering proper fuel stewardship to your customers will make you the reliable petroleum equipment professional they need and to whom they will be loyal.

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The PEI Journal • First Quarter 2009 • Volume 3, No. 1 • Contents are Copyright © Data Key Communications, Inc.
All rights reserved. • Nothing may be reproduced in whole or part without written permission of the publisher.