Tank Cleaning & Fuel Conditioning

E&S are a leading exponent of ensuring stored fuel is water, sludge and microbe free using our custom built Mobile Tank Cleaning and Fuel Polishing Machine (MTC) and specially formulated fuel additives.

The intrinsically safe MTC effectively removes harmful sludge, water, rust particles and other contaminants from stored petrol and diesel in a continuous ‘dialysis’ process, pumping the fuel thorough the unit until it is restored to pristine condition. The powerful machine, incorporating a water separator and magnet, filters the product by degrees down to the standard set for aviation fuel. The tank (whetted part) is also cleaned at the same time. This eliminates the hazards of conventional ‘man entry’ tank cleaning – a major H&S plus.

Changing fuel chemistry

Today’s fuels and their additives have increased their susceptibility to microbial attack. Oxygenated and ethanol based petrol’s, bio-diesels and ‘cracked’ diesel are providing a new challenge to retailers and suppliers to maintain fuel fit for purpose.

These new products require their storage and dispensing systems to be totally water and contaminant free. And free of microbial growth and the conditions that allow them to survive and multiply.

The microbial problem

All fuel systems have the potential for microbial contamination and unprotected systems will provide life support to a range of bacteria’s, algae’s, molds and others, all combining to form a bio-mass, especially at the fuel/water interface.

The constant need to clean clogged filters, pumps, purge fuel lines and de-contaminate tank bottoms is operationally disruptive and financially draining.

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Specialist fuel additives

Our specialist ‘Fleet Treat’ additive combines highly effective water dispersant with a mild detergent to keep water in a storage system in suspension, not allowing the microscopic water particles to settle out. It is at the water/fuel interface that microbes prosper, and by eliminating this free water, microbial contamination is greatly reduced.

A system heavily contaminated with microbial growth will require a one off dose of biocide to effectively kill all bacteria. The dead particles are removed via our MTC machine. We have available a carefully chosen product that has a proved effective even for the most severely contaminated systems.

Endoscope inspection video camera

We can link our high-resolution fibre optic video camera with our MTC machine to form a single unit. This gives the operator a clear view of the state of the tank or pipe and its contaminates, and can direct the suction hose to the problem areas, including any water that cannot be detected through normal dipping. Customers are given the camera tape as a record of the condition of the tank for future reference and audit purposes.

E&S recommendations

As the new fuels being introduced will be stored and dispensed through existing facilities at service stations, it is important that effective pre-introduction measures are taken to ensure a contaminant and water free environment.

Following the initial tank clean and fuel polishing, it is recommended that customers adopt a Planned Preventative Maintenance programme. This will involve us visiting site at agreed intervals – minimum every 6 months, to take samples, remove any free water and re-dose the system with our Fleet Treat additive. We would check for bacterial build up and if necessary deploy our MTC to remove any contaminants found.

For more details, download our Tank Cleaning & Fuel Conditioning leaflet >>