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storage of diesel fuel

R

RamRod Sword of Baal

Jan 1, 1970
0
Robert Morein said:
My understanding is, eventually the stuff goes bad.
That's the problem.
How long before this happens?
Assume I use a biocide (cheap) and whatever else I should throw in there.


I am by no means an expert on the subject of storage of diesel, but I did
ring an oil company here is Australia re this subject and was told I could
expect that diesel fuel would last 9 months in a seal drum.

I have a 30 KVA diesel unit for standby generation, and I put 120 litres (24
imperial gallons) of fuel into 2 x 60 litre (12 imperial Gallon) drums some
10 months ago and recently pumped one of these drums into my Isuzu truck
(motor home) and it has been running OK, I have to pump out the second one
shortly, them I will refill the drums with fresh fuel shortly.

I have around 5 imperial gallons in the tank of the diesel, which is far
from sealed, and that has also been in there for the last 10 months, and the
diesel generator starts without a problem. I started it yesterday actually.

I live in the tropical part of Australia. Max temperature expected is around
100 f and minimum around 50 f. Mind you in exceptional weather we can exceed
these temperatures. We have high humidity in the wet season, which lasts a
few months.

At the moment I have to get the power from the generator to the house via
extension cables, as I am waiting to have an electrician wire the standby
power in via a transfer switch to the house, when this is done I can run the
house for a few hours on the diesel, to ensure that there is no problem. I
hope to do this every month once I have sufficient load for it.

I have plans to shortly sell of my truck (motor home), so I am not sure how
I will rotate my fuel then, as it is a bit expensive to just give it away. I
have a total of 4 of these 60 litre drums, and will make sure they are all
full when a tropical cyclone is in the area, which is when we can expect
extended power problems. It will be interesting to see just what fuel
consumption I get out of my diesel when I can load it up.

I carry some fuel as a buffer in case of problems, and intend to fill up
extra drums if a problem looms. Once I find just how much fuel the diesel
uses per day I can better judge how much I should hold here.

It is a 4 cylinder Hatz diesel (around 30 KVA at 1500 RPM), and generates
415 volts, the air condition will help with a load with around 20 amps per
phase (summer), once the hot weather gets here, with maybe a little more in
the cold weather, when heating is required.

Of course the hot plate (range) and oven both electric will increase this
load, but they are intermittent usage.

BTW I looked up some biocide for diesel fuel and there was some mention of
it being carcinogenic.Not sure where I saw it now, but it was on the net, so
I decide to give it a miss.
 
S

Steve Spence

Jan 1, 1970
0
Then use it. You can make your own electric for cheaper than you can buy it,
in many cases.
 
J

John Phillips

Jan 1, 1970
0
Then use it. You can make your own electric for cheaper than you can buy it,
in many cases.

Steve,

Why don't you be candid. Where you live, electric energy is almost
given away it is so cheap (Massena, NY). Your problem is that you
didn't pay the bills. So much for altruism.


Regards,

John Phillips
 
S

Steve Spence

Jan 1, 1970
0
John the Liar said:
Steve,

Why don't you be candid. Where you live, electric energy is almost
given away it is so cheap (Massena, NY). Your problem is that you
didn't pay the bills. So much for altruism.
I no longer live in Massena Grid area, I live in Hopkinton, too far off the
electric grid to get service (NYMO territory). I purchased property for an
eco-village and renewable energy research center. I have no problem paying
my bills, as I have so few of them. We generate our own power with solar,
wind, and biofuels. You lie when you say I didn't pay my bill. But then, you
are not above lying when you think it will make you look good. Of course, it
doesn't, it makes you look small and ignorant. Anyone who wants to can go to
www.green-trust.org and get the real scoop. Visitors are welcome.

Steve
 
Here is my experience with rather long term storage of Diesel fuel.
This comes from a marine viewpoint as I have a trawler I am restoring.
Last year was the 1st time I refueled, after 3 years of use. And I
understand the fuel was in the tanks for 2 before I purchased the boat
( makes 5 years total). (It is not that I do not ever use the boat,
just it uses so little fuel takes a while to burn through 500gals...)

Key to fuel seems to be to keep it clean and dry. Soon after
purchasing the boat I started having 'bugs' in one of the tanks. (Not
really bugs, but often called that). This black sticky goo is a
product of biology around water in the fuel, and will quickly clog up
filters. Biocides are an attempt to keep them down, but the real
solution is remove any water (e.g. condensation).

My solutions was to install an on-board Fuel Polishing system.
Modeled after http://www.trawlerworld.com/features_06.htm

After installing this system, my fuel cleaned up very quickly and I
have had no issues sense. The key for me is twofold:

1) I run the system 7/24, alternating between tanks.

2) My fuel pickups are actually taps at the BOTTOM of the tanks. I
attribute this to not only being able to get the last drop of water
out of the tanks, but also to why my steel tanks are just fine after
40 years (other boats have had issues with dip-tube tanks).

On that last point, a really good system I have read about involved
placing a 6" or so flange into the bottom of the tank. Then putting
in a short nipple and a cap. In effect making a 'well' in the bottom
of the tank. A dip tube for the fuel pickup then comes down from the
top into this 'well'. With this system one has the advantages of
being able to remove most all contaminant from the bottom of the tank,
and also have a top mounted dip-tube fuel pickup.

I have seen other comments about the breakdown of fuel, etc. For
this I have no answer +++ or - - -, might consider talking to the
engine manufacture

-al-
 
R

Robert Morein

Jan 1, 1970
0
Here is my experience with rather long term storage of Diesel fuel.
This comes from a marine viewpoint as I have a trawler I am restoring.

Great info, thanks!
 
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