Modern ultra-low sulphur diesel fuels with additives have been successfully created for cleaner burning diesel engines but may also lead to the accumulation of dirt and sludge in bulk storage tanks.
Microbe build-up and phase separation are recognised as symptoms of the new era diesel fuels, resulting in the collection of sludge in bulk tanks and the acceleration of the presence of water in the fuel, leading to increased risk of failure in fleet assets.
Thorough and regular tank cleaning is regarded as the most effective solution to prevent fuel contamination and control levels of water contamination in diesel.
Australian fuel technology company Leighton O’Brien has developed a three-step cleaning process for the eradication of free water and tank-floor sludge, and particle removal. The patented system is now available in South Africa, brought to the market by Petromonitor Africa.
The method includes the vacuuming of solids from the tank floor, allowing this to settle in a holding tank, then isolating the circuit while a rig filters solids and removes water from the fuel in the tank. The fuel collected during the solid removal phase is then also filtered and returned to the tank.
The process is said to be effective in restoring fuels in a dirty tank to refinery quality and reversing phase separation, while ensuring a minimum amount of fuel removal from a site.
Petromonitor says that it provides a comprehensive solution for restoring fuel quality and remediating phase separation, while ensuring safety and allowing a site to remain fully operational.
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