Page 37 - Oil and Energy January 2013

January 2013 • 37
Fuel Quality
Control Contaminants to Keep Bio-blends Stable
By Edward English, Vice President & Technical Director, Fuel Quality Services Inc.
AS THE USE OF BIOHEAT ® INCREASES,
what are some things dealers and users
should know so they can continue to
provide a good product, service clients and
ensure long-term use?
There are several areas in the market
that can influence the quality and longevity
of Bioheat ®, including product quality, bulk
fuel handling and storage, tank mainte-
nance, and routine surveillance.
FUEL QUALITY
If Bioheat® or biodiesel blends are new
to you, speak to your supplier regarding
product quality. Things you will need to
consider include product specifications,
product handling, tank preparation for first-
time receipts, and long-term storage issues.
Specifications for traditional home
heating oil as well as the blending require-
ments to produce B5 blends are covered
in ASTM D396, Standard Specification for
Fuel Oil. The quality specifications for the
B100 blend stock can be found in ASTM
D6751, Standard Specification for Biodiesel
Fuel Blend Stock (B100) for Middle
Distillate Fuel. Other important informa-
tion can be found in both the Mandatory
and Non-Mandatory Sections of the
ASTM specifications. Additional informa-
tion regarding B100 as well as manufac-
turing, distribution, quality control and
the BQ-9000 program can also be found
at the National Biodiesel Board website
(www.biodiesel.org ).
BULK FUEL STORAGE
There are several considerations
regarding bulk fuel storage that can affect
product quality. The principle concern is
the ingress of contaminants into the bulk
fuel that can result in the degradation of
the fuel inside the tank. Contaminants can
enter fuel in a variety of ways.
For example, airborne contaminants
in the form of dirt and debris can enter
the tank through the ventilation system.
Another contaminant like water can enter
the tank in the form of humidity, through
leaking seals in a floating roof tank or a bulk
water slug from a product delivery. Lastly,
receipt of a poor quality fuel load can cause
accelerated degradation of good quality fuel
already in the tank.
Simple air filtration canisters placed on
the tank vent will, to large extent, keep dirt
and dust from entering the tank. Similarly,
some air fi p ltration canisters have water tra s
that capture the moisture or humidity so it
does not enter the tank.
Tank owners or site operators should
have plans in place to monitor water levels
inside the tank; maintain seal integrity for
floating roof tanks; and perform delivery
truck inspections for the potential of water.
Raising one’s awareness of these and other
possible forms of water ingress can ensure
that the presence of water in the bulk
storage tank is minimal and therefore has a
reduced impact on fuel quality and micro-
bial growth. Remember that microbiological
activity needs water: No water, no life.
A general rule of thumb is that adding
bad fuel to a good fuel in a tank will make
the good fuel go bad. Whereas, adding good
fuel to bad fuel in a tank does not improve
the bad fuel. There are simple and cost
y effective wa s to address some if not all of
these issues.
TANK MAINTENANCE
Periodic tank maintenance is suggested
in order to remove potential sources of
contaminants that can lead to microbial
growth and accelerated fuel or product
degradation. The best way to maintain a
fuel tank is “full, cool, and dry.”
Keeping your tank full reduces the
volume of air that comes in contact
with the fuel. Oxygen is present in air at
approximately 20 percent and can enter the
bulk fuel and react with certain chemical
compounds or structures in the fuel to
form oxidation products such as peroxides,
which can damage gaskets and seals.
Keeping your tank cool slows down
degradation reactions that may be occurring
Continued …