It Depends On What? The Answer? So how long does diesel fuel last in storage? Share This Article! Subscribe To Our Blog. If your business relies on fuel, you'll want to get our tips for storing fuel and cutting fuel costs delivered right to your inbox! Keep in mind that this is for diesel fuel, not ethanol blends or biodiesel blends. The biggest benefit imparted by properly maintained storage tanks over time is the prevention of water contamination of the fuel. Obviously it is important to maintain the structural integrity of tanks, especially above-ground tanks that may have top openings which can allow rain water to contaminate the fuel if they deteriorate over time.
Experts recommend that you minimize the amount of space left in the tank over time; it is this space that will influence how much water from condensation accumulates in the fuel.
The minimum amount of space needed depends on the tank configuration and the volume of fuel because of expansion. There are different regulations depending on if your fuel storage is above ground or underground. Different states have different requirements as far as measures a facility has to have in place to prevent leaks and spills while addressing corrosion problems that may develop over time.
And there are federal regulations in place that are governed and enforced by the EPA. So a facility that seeks to save money through fuel storage will need to weigh the costs of compliance with thes measures to assess the overall ROI of what they're doing. Biocides and diesel fuel stability treatments will prevent most fuel storage problems if these other measures are taken care of. A biocide will kill active diesel fuel bacteria growth in fuel storage tanks while the stability treatments prevent against the breakdown of the fuel by chemical reaction with outside influences.
Biocides have become essential tools in diesel fuel storage because the removal of sulfur from ULSD makes the fuel a lot more prone to microbial activity than it used to be. Vehicles that use diesel engines are generally built with heavy-duty components that can withstand the power of the vehicle, which means less wear and tear on every part of the engine.
Diesel engines are also great are self-cooling, which puts them at a significantly-decreased chance of overheating. Multiple sensors and thermostats are used, which means when one fails, there are others to keep the engine from overheating. Multiple piston-cooling nozzles also ensure that a constant stream of coolant is flowing freely through the engine.
In order to use its fuel to power itself, a diesel engine uses compression ignition. This occurs when diesel fuel and air are compressed enough to create heat, which causes spontaneous combustion. According to Digital Trends, this spontaneous combustion is far more advantageous for a long-lasting engine. So what makes a diesel engine so different, and longer-lasting, than engines that run on gasoline?
For starters, diesel and gasoline engines have significant design differences. The composition has been altered to contain up to 97 percent less sulfur , which is a harmful pollutant. Biodiesel is another variation available on the market. This mixture includes vegetable oils or animal fats. As with ULSD, it was developed to help lower toxic emissions. Additionally, almost all forms of diesel include additives.
These are compounds that are added during the refinement process. They can range from detergents to fight corrosion to ethanol, which is a common ingredient in biofuels. Forewarned is forearmed — you should be aware of anything that increases the risk of your diesel going bad. Some factors are beyond your control, while others can be managed up to a certain point.
Remember that most types of diesel sold today are ultra-low sulfur. The lack of sulfur is great for the environment, but not so good for protection against bacteria. The same is true of additives such as animal fats.
This occurs due to condensation or water penetration—e. In highly humid environments, absorption of water from the air can take place. Oxygen will speed up the multiplication of these organisms. Extreme heat can speed up the natural deterioration process, resulting in sediment or gummy buildup. A hot environment can also promote the growth of certain species of bacteria.
There are some compounds e. The gas tanks of vehicles, equipment and power tools are far from an ideal place to store diesel fuel for the long-term.
This one is pretty obvious but needs to be mentioned anyway. Not only is this a priority for safety reasons, but also for preservation. Oxygen, dust and other contaminants such as trace metals can get in and speed up the breakdown process. There are substances you can use that work to keep your fuel fresh and stable, such as the best fuel stabilizers and diesel biocides.
These products could save you the chore of having to drain your tank, or be faced with bad diesel fuel.
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