The storage life of Diesel and Gasoline was historically measured in years not months like it is now. Currently there is growing is evidence to indicate that after six months of storage there is an increased incidence of contaminants found in the fuel and a significant decrease in quality. This has serious implications for any machinery or equipment receiving this fuel as well as the storage tank it is stored in.
If your stored fuel is over six months old it is time to have a ChemKleen Technician test it, clean it and you can continue to use it with peace of mind!
Gasoline Mixed with Ethanol
Over the years there has been a push to find clean alternatives to traditional fuels. One such alternative is gasoline mixed with ethanol, ethanol is considered a renewable and clean resource. Ethanol is made by fermenting sugars and starch to produce oxygen, hydrogen and carbon. These sugars and starches in Canada are mainly crops of corn and wheat. The Canadian Government published new regulations under Section 31 of the Renewable Fuels Regulations, September, 2010 which states that “all gasoline producers and importers must have an average of renewable content of at least 5% starting December 15, 2010.” Government of Canada (2016).
This poses risks for storing Gasoline mixed with ethanol. Ethanol (being an alcohol) has a high affinity to water. When Ethanol comes into contact with water either in the form of condensation, humidity or contamination the ethanol will absorb the water and undergo Phase Separation. Phase Separation is when the fuel will separate in to distinct layers, water being heavier than gasoline and ethanol will sit at the bottom, this poses risks for using the fuel as you will be essentially fueling up your equipment with water, causing in most cases irreversible damage.
Diesel Mixed with Biodiesel
The Renewable Fuels Regulations as of July, 2011 also require that all “fuel producers and importers of diesel fuel and heating distillate oil to have an average of annual renewable fuel content equal to at least 2% of the volume, starting January 1, 2013” Government of Canada (2016).
Biodiesel when mixed with diesel is a cleaner alternative to diesel, but in terms of storage has many drawbacks. Biodiesel is made from waste vegetable oils, animal oils, animal fats, tallow and waste cooking oil and is made through a process called transesterification. Because of the varying sources, the Biodiesel created can have variation in quality and composition, this creates complications in determining how long the fuel can be stored safely.
Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD)
Another cleaner alternative is ultra-low sulfur diesel this is a type of diesel with significantly lower sulfur content and will burn cleaner, but will also create a more hospitable environment for microbes. The biggest drawback with biodiesel and ultra-low sulfur diesel is increased microbial contamination.
Once the diesel is contaminated the microbes will proliferate and create sludge and discoloration, this is detrimental to any storage container, machinery or equipment that run on the diesel. With an increased microbial presence inside a storage tank there is an increased incidence of corrosion. The microbes are considered to be an aggressive chemical species and will facilitate aggressive corrosion on storage containers (Battelle Memorial Institute 2012).
If your stored fuel is more than six months old, you must be observant and monitor the condition of your fuel and storage tank/(s). This is where ChemKleen and its Fuel Purification and Storage Tank Cleaning program can help. ChemKleen Technicians can check your fuel and storage tanks, identify any problems associated with your fuel or your storage tanks and correct any problems identified. Remember your fuel and storage tanks are not cleaned until they are ChemKleened!
References
Battelle Memorial Institute (2012, September 5) Corrosion in Systems Storing and Dispensing Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD), Hypotheses Investigation. Retrieved from clean-diesel.org
Government of Canada (2016, July 11) Renewable Fuels Regulations. Retrieved from http://www.ec.gc.ca/energie-energy
Low Sulphur Diesel
https://www.ec.gc.ca/lcpe-cepa/default.asp?lang=En&n=0885D2DC-1&offset=5
Corrosive Microbes/biodiesel/ULSD
http://www.clean-diesel.org/pdf/ulsdstoringsystemcorrosion.pdf
Ethanol
http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/energy/alternative-fuels/fuel-facts/ethanol/3493
New Canada Regulations (2010, 2011)
http://www.ec.gc.ca/energie-energy/default.asp?lang=En&n=0AA71ED2-1