If you live in the state of Florida, hurricane capital of the world, there is a very good chance that you might own or maintain a fuel tank. From 250 gallons that individual homeowners may have to 10,000 gallons that a water treatment plant may have for emergencies, they all need attention and maintenance.
Here, the combustible nature of fuel may not be your only concern. This article helps you understand how to keep your fuel tank safe and in the very best shape possible.
Store in a Covered Area Away From Direct Sunlight if Possible
When a fuel tank is exposed to direct sunlight day after day (which is hard to get away from in Florida), condensation builds up in the empty space of the tank (where there is no fuel) which forms water droplets which then drip into the fuel. This can cause problems for the tank and the fuel. Continuous condensation/water will cause the tank to rust on the inside and the water is now in the fuel. If enough rust builds up in the tank, it flakes off the sides and falls into the fuel. Both water and rust fall to the bottom of the tank where the fuel is drawn from. This can cause problems in the performance of the generator and/or vehicle.
Bacteria and microbes will also grow in the water trapped in the tank which further fowls the fuel. All of these contaminants: water, rust, and bacteria settle to the bottom of the tank, reduce the quality and efficiency of the fuel and can compromise the efficiency of the equipment using the fuel.
Clean Long-Standing Fuel On a Regular Basis
If the fuel in your tank is for emergency purposes, such as a backup generator, it has probably been stored for a period of time. If it is anywhere from 9 to 18 months, there is a good possibility that water and other contaminants (bacteria, sediment) have settled in the bottom of the fuel.
Depending on the level of contamination, the fuel is still salvageable using a process called fuel polishing. This is a tried and tested method used by fuel tank service companies to address contamination issues.
For this, we urge you to partner with a certified fuel tank maintenance company like EPAC Environmental Services, Inc.
Find Superior Florida Fuel Tank Maintenance Services at EPAC Environmental Services Inc.
At EPAC, our team of experts will ensure that your equipment is serviced correctly to keep your equipment running in tip-top performance. Our polishing system provides three different filter levels for removing water and the smallest of particles. Due to the extreme heat in Florida, we recommend polishing every 18 months.
To know more about EPAC Inc.’s fuel tank services, call us at (954) 974-7055, or fill a request through our contact page.