As fuel retailers, we need to be experts in the products we sell. Fuel storage is one of the most important areas to be knowledgeable on. Not only because you are storing fuel at your service station but also because you can inform your customers.
Service Station owners and anyone who stores fuel must consider chemical instability, microbial activity, and remaining compliant when storing fuel.
Diesel Fuel Storage
The storage life of diesel fuel depends on the conditions it’s in. For it to last as long as possible, it’s crucial that diesel remains cool and dry. In optimal conditions, it can last between 6-12 months.
If you want diesel to last longer than 12 months, it must be treated with fuel stabilisers and biocides – even under the best conditions.
Storage Tanks
A storage tank that is properly maintained will do its job in preventing water contamination. It’s important to keep up the structural integrity of your tanks to ensure water can’t enter the tank.
If you minimise the amount of extra space in the tank, you will accrue a lesser amount of condensation, and, therefore, the fuel won’t be as heavily impacted by the presence of water.
Biocides and Stability Treatments
Biocides and diesel fuel stability treatments can be lifesavers for your fuel, as biocides kill diesel fuel bacteria growth in storage tanks, and stability treatments prevent fuel breakdown.
Biocides are essential in the storage of diesel fuel due to the composition of modern fuel. Since sulphur has been removed from ULSD, microbial activity is much more likely than in the past. So, even if you control the water content in your storage tanks, there is still a chance of microbial activity without biocides present.
Stability treatments are geared towards oxidation reactions and acid based-reactions in stored fuel. Oxidation occurs when fuel is exposed to oxygen. That oxygen interacts with reactive components of the fuel – this sets off a chain reaction that turns stable fuel molecules into unstable molecules, which leads to fuel darkening and eventual stratifying. To interrupt the chain reactions before they can grow out of hand, you need antioxidant stabilisers.
Get Informed
If you’re concerned about the quality of your fuel or have questions about best practices for storing fuel at your service station, contact us.