Point to Point Environmental has extensive experience consulting with clients in the petroleum fuels industry. As the regulatory landscape changes and the mandates for increasingly boutique petroleum fuels increase (ethanol-blended gasoline, ultra-low sulphur diesel (USLD), biodiesel), the challenges with fuel storage, compatibility and use increase as well. These challenges are especially evident with diesel fuel that is stored for lengthy periods of time before it is consumed; many fuel quality issues arise including algae and bacterial growth and water accumulation. When microbial growth collects in a storage tank, the particulate matter can cause clogging of fuel filtration systems and the resulting particulate accumulations can result in poor fuel performance.
Point to Point Environmental can complete fuel sampling for laboratory analysis and implement sampling programs for long term diesel fuel storage. If impurities are present within the fuel at levels that are outside of the industry standard ranges, Point to Point can recommend options for treatment and present the advice of specialists within the fuel industry. Fuel treatment may include the introduction of a biocide, fuel stabilizers, winter/summer additives, cetane improvers and combustion improvers. Point to Point Environmental also partners with several contractors that can assist with storage tank cleaning services. Often, tank cleaning (bottom sweep) or fuel polishing is required after a fuel treatment process is completed. Performing a tank bottom sweep is designed to only extract the waste debris and water which has accumulated on the bottom of the storage tank following this treatment process. This process will also remove any water and any additional accumulation of sediment at the bottom of the tank.
Point to Point Environmental recommends that any facility that maintains diesel fuel storage tanks that are utilized for the long term storage of diesel fuel should implement a periodic fuel sampling program. In many applications, a storage tank system that is used for the long term storage of diesel fuel is maintained for emergency backup generators. Backup generator sets characteristically consume low volumes of fuel per year, as the generators only consume a small amount of fuel during episodic generator testing and maintenance. As a result, the volume of diesel fuel is often stored for an extended period of time with little to no turnover or recirculation. Many different types of facilities maintain backup power generating capacities including public safety, utility service providers, telecommunication centers, hospitals, nursing homes and other vital health care centers. These types of critical facilities maintain backup power generating capacity as part of their emergency preparedness plans, and often have redundant backup power generating capacity through the use of both diesel and natural gas power generators and/or modular parallel system generators (MPS system). In an emergency situation, these generators must operate at peak performance, and the quality of the supply fuel should never be in question.
As a preventive measure to ensure optimal generator operation in a time of critical need, facilities have chosen to implement a periodic fuel sampling program to monitor the condition of their fuel. Collecting fuel samples for laboratory analysis on a regular basis (semi-annually or quarterly) will allow a facility to discover a fuel quality issue and implement corrective actions before it becomes a greater issue. Point to Point can develop a site specific fuel sampling program that will provide the fuel quality data that a facility owner can use to reassure themselves of the capacity of their backup generator systems to operate at the time of need will not be impeded by poor quality fuel supply.
The cost estimates to complete fuel quality sampling and analysis will include time to coordinate a sampling event, sample acquisition, delivery of samples to the laboratory for analysis, and laboratory analytical report. In addition, upon receipt of analytical report, a detailed report of findings will be prepared that outlines the results and recommendations.
Should you have any questions regarding fuel quality sampling, fuel treatment, or tank cleaning, please call Point to Point Environmental at 678-565-4435.