Preventing the Perils of Water Contamination in Fuel Storage Tanks

Preventing the Perils of Water Contamination in Fuel Storage Tanks

The challenges posed by harsh summer weather to diesel engines can mean an uptick in equipment down-time and increased maintenance costs. That being said, there are several strategies that you can employ to mitigate these effects and keep your engine running smoothly throughout the summer. For the past several years, we’ve seen one or two stretches of unhealthy heat, i.e. for both humans and engines, which has caused condensation within storage tanks and ultimately led to water contamination.

Water is both the most common and most harmful contaminant to distillate fuel. It can get into the fuel during refining, storage, transportation and delivery, and is virtually impossible to eliminate completely. Common scenarios include rainwater seeping in through the roof or vent of a tank, or humid air carrying moisture in during a fuel withdrawal. Once in the tank, water becomes a breeding ground for bacterial cells and fungal spores known in the industry as “bugs.”

Bugs will live in the water at the bottom of the tank and feed of the hydrocarbons in the fuel at the fuel/water interface. They’ll also consume rubber gaskets, o-rings, hoses, tank linings and coatings in an effort to obtain their mineral content. The waste from this process produces water, sludge, acids and other harmful byproducts. Under the ideal conditions of a warm spring or summer day (68-86 degrees Fahrenheit), bacteria can double in population every 20 minutes, forming destructive, gel-like colonies known as biofilms. If not addressed, the proliferation of bugs will clog fuel filters, fuel lines and gauges; corrode pumps, injectors and tank bottoms; cause washers, hoses and connectors to swell and blister; degrade fuel and cause poor fuel economy.

CONTAMINATION REMOVAL

If microbial contamination is detected—either by visual observation of a fuel filter or bottom sample, or by analytical laboratory testing—cleanup can be both difficult and expensive. In all cases, water bottoms should be drained, and a biocide should be added to treat the remaining fuel. While in some instances it may only be necessary to filter the treated fuel, more severe cases will require physical removal of floating biofilm or bottom sludge. Depending on the severity of the problem, manual cleaning of the tank may be required before refueling to remove any remaining debris or corrosive byproduct from the interior surface.

Good housekeeping is the best and most cost-effective preventative measure against water and microbial contamination. Please review the following housekeeping checklist, and don’t hesitate to contact us for a complimentary evaluation of your fuel and fuel systems. We specialize in protecting and enhancing all middle distillate fuels, including marine fuel, on/off-road diesel and ULSD, heating oil and ULSHO, gasoline, and biodiesel blends. Ask about our Certified Fuel Quality Checkup

1. Drain water and sediment from tanks at least every six months.
2. If all the water cannot be removed, drain as much as possible and treat the remaining in-tank water with a dual phase biocide and test for its effectiveness.
3. Keep tanks near or at capacity to minimize condensation.
4. Know the operability values of your fuel.
5. Use additives judiciously and in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations; more is never better.
6. Conduct seasonal (pre-/post-season) fuel sampling and analysis.
7. Keep vent alarms protected.
8. Stick tanks with stick and paste.
9. Check and drain water from water fuel separators.
10. Be certain all filters are OEM approved.
11. If filters are black, contact our office for further instructions.