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Management of Fuel In Storage for Emergency Power Systems
Phoenix Products' Petroleum Recycling Service Fuel Quality Assurance Program is a comprehensive, progressive program for the prevention of costly equipment failure and is completed with no interruption of system operation.
MOST EMERGENCY POWER SYSTEM FAILURES ARE CAUSED BY CONTAMINATED OR DETERIORATED FUEL.
NFPA 110: Standard for Emergency and Standby Power Systems, 2005 Edition describes requirements for installation, maintenance, operation and testing as they pertain to the performance of emergency power supply systems.
 Chapter 7 of NFPA 110 states that "Commercial distillate fuel oils used in modern diesel engines are subject to various detrimental effects. The origin of the crude oil, refinement processing techniques, time of year, and geographical consumption location all aid in the determination of fuel blend formulas. Sulfur, naturally occurring gums, waxes, soluble metallic soaps, water, dirt, and temperature all begin to degrade fuel as it is handled and stored. These effects begin at the time of fuel refinement and continue until consumption."
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Proper fuel storage is critical to engine start-up, efficiency, and longevity.
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Storage tanks should be kept water-free… Water can contribute to steel tank corrosion and the potential development of microbiological growth where fuel and water interface…
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Tanks that are aboveground and subject to extreme daily temperature variations cause fuel to degrade more rapidly. This is further exacerbated with large aboveground tanks that are less than full. Airspace allows for condensation that can further add to the contaminant levels.
 Chapter 8 of NFPA 110 states that "a fuel quality test shall be performed at least annually using tests approved by ASTM standards".
Phoenix Products' Petroleum Recycling Service Fuel Quality Assurance Program includes 3 Easy Steps to provide clean fuel:
- Test fuel annually for condition of stability and microbial contamination.
- Introduce a blended inhibitor to maintain fuel stability.
- Remove water and particulate regularly.
Services we provide:
- Fuel and tank audit/consultation
- Fuel sampling
- Fuel analysis
- Application of fuel additives/biocides
- Fuel filtration (down to .05 micron)
- Tank inspection
- Replacement of tank fill caps, gaskets, gauges, etc.
- Tank tightness testing
- Tank cleaning (AST, UST, Sub-Base, and Marine)
- Water and sludge removal
- EPA certified waste transportation
 Scheduled fuel maintenance and testing help to reduce or nearly eliminate fuel contamination. Fuel maintenance filtration can remove contaminants and water and return fuel to conditions where it will provide reliability and efficiency for standby generators when called upon in emergency conditions.
 Fuel contamination is a major cause of premature shutdown for standby engine generator sets, fire pump engines and other diesel engine support functions. Contamination commences as soon as the storage tanks are filled and continues until the fuel is used. As the length of storage period increases, the probability for premature engine shutdown due to either clogged filters or excessive water entrainment increases.
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