ENERGY
Today’s fuels like to hold on to water
Water build-up in diesel fuel tanks can
be a problem. Almost any stored diesel
fuel left for any amount of time will end up
with water in the bottom of the tank. And
given the changes to the properties of
diesel fuels, it’s an even bigger issue than
in the past. The injectors get hot due to their high fuel pressures. The engine
uses diesel fuel circulated from the tank to dissipate some of this
heat. The now-hot fuel is then circulated back to the fuel tank.
This temperature diff erence causes water condensation even in
the vehicle’s tank.
How does water get into my fuel storage
tanks, portable tanks, or even my vehicle
tank? There are lots of possibilities. One
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way is water can enter fuel storage systems
through tank vents, but unlike particle
contamination, water is not necessarily driven by the level of fuel
in the tank, but rather by fl uctuations in environmental conditions
like temperature and humidity. Outside air packed with water
vapor travels in and out of the tank. In storage tanks, the water
from the air condenses and rolls down the side of the tank when
the air cools down in the evening. Keeping the tank full does help
with condensation. • Water allowed to accumulate in a tank increases the chance of
a microbial infestation, bacteria, and fungi which can play havoc
with the fuel system.
Quay Zander
Energy Manager
(952) 466-3727
The engine itself can be a source for water in the diesel fuel. In
diesel vehicles, the temperature change comes from hot diesel
fuel returning to the tank after being used to cool the injectors.
Does it really matter if I have water in the fuel? Yes, for the
following reasons.
• Water in fuel accelerates the oxidation and break down of the fuel.
• Water contamination contributes to tank corrosion.
All of these are good enough reasons to control the build-up of
water in the tank. If the amount of water in the tank is substantial,
the best course of action would be to drain or pump the water
out. Feel free to give us a call if you have further questions on this.
If you feel you have a water issue, bacteria issue, or fi lter plugging
issue, we can come out and take a sample from the bottom of the
tank and send it in to be analyzed.
Have a safe spring!
Lubricants & Equipment
ALE
ENDS MARCH 31, 2020
EQUIPMENT SALE LUBRICANT SALE HOT PRODUCTS!
10% OFF Packaged Products Mid-County Offers:
• Fuel Pumps • Fuel Hoses
• Nozzles • Filters • New Tanks
• Containment Systems
• Used Equipment - Pumps & Tanks All packaged products
carried by Mid-County The following BULK
products are on SALE!
Cenex ®
ALL EQUIPMENT
Special Order Items - Place an order
and receive 10% off retail price
10% OFF
Prices good on
• Quart bottles • 2.5 gallon jugs
• 5 gallon pails • 55 gallon drums
TMS 15w-40 - $10.99 gal.
Qwiklift ® HTB - $10.35 gal.
DEF on Sale! 10% off Retail
Mid-County Offers:
Fuel Pumps • Fuel Hoses • Nozzles • Filters • New Tanks • Containment Systems • Used Equipment - Pumps & Tanks
Looking for a specifi c lubricant? Give us a call. We are your one-stop shop with access to most types and brands.
(952) 466-3720
www.midcountycoop.com
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