Opinion: Preventing Fuel-Storage Contamination
By: Ed Kammerer, CSP
September 15, 2017
Cincinnati – Water’s innate ability to work its way into every stray crack and crevice, oftentimes with harmful effects, can make life extremely difficult. Whereas, water intrusion is a constant threat to UST’s and, if unchecked, can cause great harm to the fueling system.
As ethanol-blended gasoline has become standard, the potential for “phase separation” has grown. Phase separation occurs when enough water contaminates the gasoline to cause the ethanol to attach itself to the water molecules, leaving two distinct layers of fuel in the storage tank: a gasoline-only layer at the top an ethanol/water cocktail along the bottom. In addition to, the gasoline/ethanol mix lowers the octane number of the fuel which can cause knocking in a vehicle’s engine.
Due to the potential for phase separation, motor fuels containing ethanol must not be exposed to water during its distribution or use. Although, the key is eliminating the chance of harmful water intrusion at the source – the UST’s sump and spill-containment areas, or the spot at the ground surface where the tank receives fuel deliveries.
Multi-Port Containment Systems
A recent advancement in this area has been the creation and refinement of the Multi-port Containment Systems. The new-age system has two composite spill-containment covers located on a larger composite cover. Above all, the smaller covers can be removed in seconds. Which allows easy access and quick connection of hoses to fuel- delivery and vapor-recovery piping.
Multiport systems consist of highly engineered glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) composites. Furthermore, GRP’s have the capability to keep sumps and spill-containment areas dry, which helps prevent water intrusion.
Too many manhole covers appear to be the straightforward answer; however, over time the metal lids develop a bowl shape, are quite heavy and are high maintenance due to rust and corrosion.
Not only do these covers weigh a third of what traditional manhole covers weight; but they do not rust or corrode over time nor does the changing weather conditions affect their shape.
Contact Mascott Sales department for Quotations and information on multi-port containment systems.
OPW 500 Series EVR Multi-Port Franklin Fueling Multi-Port DMP36 or DMP42
Check out these videos for more information on Multi-Port Containment Systems:
OPW Fibrelite Multi-Port Containment System
Franklin Fueling Multi-Port Containment System