Fuel Storage for Farms - A Primer

Fuel Storage for farms poses some interesting challenges to producers in order to maintain the quality and quantity of their products. Degradation of the quality or composition of stored fuel due to contamination or deterioration create a great deal of aggravation for farmers. With fuel costs pushing $3-4 a gallon, this is no longer a secondary concern for farmers and growers, but represents a sizeable potential loss.

The most common fuel contaminants are water, sediment and rust. The major contaminant of stored fuel is water, which can enter the system through leaks, condensation, from the fuel supplier or through vandalism. Minimal amounts of water from condensation in underground and above ground gasoline tanks can be dealt with by adding a water controlling and removing additive like Bell Performance Mix-I-Go or DFS Plus. In diesel tanks, the use of Bell Performance Dee-Zol with the addition of DFS Plus in heavier water contamination is recommended.

If a large amount of water is found in the fuel tank, the only alternative may be to have the water pumped out. Determining how the water entered the tank is important to prevent further contamination. In overhead tanks, water can be drained by removing the drain plug on the bottom of the tank. This is best done when the tank is almost empty. Water buildup can be controlled by regular use of Bell Performance Mix-I-Go or Dee-Zol products.

Common sediments in the fuel tank are small particles of rust caused by water contamination. Other sediments are formed when fuels stored for a long period begin to break down through exposure to air and water. Sediments can cause fuel filter plugging, engine deposits, gumming and lacquering which leads to component sticking and engine wear.  This is all bad news with equipment downtime and aggravation the inevitable result.

Don't Miss the Companion Post: Fuel Storage for Farms Part Two