Fuel storage

The standards for diesel fuel storage around the world have changed little over the past few decades, with existing standards tending to focus on safety, fire prevention, and environmental containment of the fuel. Little, however, is done to improve the standards that relate to maintaining the purity of the fuel whilst in storage.

Diesel Fuel and the Fuel Storage Industry

Diesel fuel begins to degrade after only 22 days from the time it is refined. As such, any industry that requires diesel fuels to be stored for long periods of time, must look towards technologies or systems that can help slow down or prevent the degradation.

 

AXI International understands the importance of diesel fuel purity and how this directly relates to the reliability of customer diesel engines and fuel systems. AXI believes that diesel fuel is not a commodity, but an integral reliability component of the engine. Our engineering and sales teams design “solutions” not “products” to ensure diesel fuels under storage conditions remain as close to “as refined” as possible, thus helping to ensure ultimate reliability within a diesel engine.

Common Diesel Fuel Storage Issues

Diesel fuels by their very nature are unstable organic hydrocarbons which degrade over time depending on a multitude of factors. As a fuel breaks down over time, gums and insoluble contaminants are formed within the fuel stock. These, along with solid particulate and water, contribute to the majority of fuel system component wear and failures.

 

Diesel fuel that is not maintained correctly within a storage tank in as close to “as refined” as possible can cause the following common problems:

  • Sludge formation in tank bottoms
  • Acid build up
  • Water and condensation contributing to rust and tank degradation
  • Contamination build up
  • Bacteria and organic growth

Resolution to Fuel Storage Issues

Diesel fuel that is maintained in a condition as close to “as refined” as possible will out perform a diesel fuel that is under or poorly maintained. The solution then is simple: employ corrective measures that ensure fuel stability and cleanliness. The solutions include the use of AXI fuel conditioning devices, filtration and separation control systems, breathers, and monitoring devices.