E10, Ethanol Blended Fuel & Tank Sticking Procedures

October 10, 2008

Why Ethanol?

• In 2005 & 2007 US Energy Policy Acts mandated the use of renewable and biofuels
• Ethanol is the most widely used biofuel in the world
• Ethanol is a clean burning high octane fuel
• It displaces our dependance on crude oil. In 2008 US ethanol production has displaced the equivelant of 330,000 barrels of imported crude per day. (Ethanolfacts.com)
• One bushel of corn yields about 2.8 gallons of Ethanol

E10

• This is the most common blend of Biofuel in the US
• E10 is 10% Ethanol and 90% conventional Gasoline
• It is approved for use in any make or model of vehicle sold in the US with no modifications necessary to the engine or fuel system
• Ethanol can be blended at the terminal or splash-blended  at bulk plants

Water

• Water is Ethanols worst enemy
• Unlike conventional fuels where water is incompatible with gasoline, Ethanol attracts and absorbs water
• Ethanol 10% (E 10) will absorb up to .35% water or 35 gallons/10,000 gallons
• Specific Gravity: Water 1.0, Gasoline .74, Ethanol .79, Phase Separation may have an inconsistent specific gravity but eventually will be higher than .74
• Water concentration in excess of .35% will cause the Ethanol (that has absorbed water) to fall out to the bottom of the tank because of the increase of Specific Gravity.
• When Phase Separation has ocurred, two distinct phases will be present Ethanol/Water at the bottom and Off-Spec Gasoline at the top
  

Phase Separation

• Will vary in concentration of Water vs Ethanol (Studies show typically 20% minimum of water and maximum of 80% Ethanol)
• When pumped by submerged pumps it will cause slow flow at the pumps due to plugging dispenser filters
• If dispensed into vehicles, engines may stall soon after.
• Sargel or Gasoila Paste should be used to detect phase separation and free water
• Free water can be present in ethanol blends if there is a large quantity
• ATG PROBES TO NOT DETECT PHASE SEPARATION!

Where Is The Water Coming From?

• The most common point of entry is Tank Top Equipment. These are Fills, Vapor Recovery, ATG, STP and connecting points
• Compromised Tanks
• Monitors out of tolerance may indicate tank problems
• Fuel Deliveries may be contaminated with water & phase separation NOTE: Tanks must be stuck with water finding paste before and after phase separation to record contaminant levels
  

Stick Your Tanks Daily

• Tanks must be assessed daily using water finding paste. We prefer Gasoila or Sargel NOTE: ATG Monitors do not detect the Specific Gravity of phase separation. The specific gravity of tank probe monitors are calibrated to Gasoline/Water specs which is different than phase separation
• Apply water finding paste generously 10" up the side of the stick. Make certain that you have applied consistently
• When inserting the stick into the tank be certain not to touch the sides of the insertion point whether it be the fill tube or at the atg riser
• Do not drop the stick as it can damage tank bottoms that may be deteriorated
• Set the stick to the bottom of the tank and leave for 10 seconds then remove
• When removing, again be certain not to touch the sides of the riser as it may cause innaccurate readings
• Immediately look at the paste and make not of any discolor. The paste will usually turn purple/red in color if contamination is present. The reading may evaporate in direct sunlight or heat
• If the entire paste area changes color, reapply the paste up to 20" and restick the tank
• Using a calibration guide you may be able to get an idea of how much water is in the tank as long as the tank is not severely tilted
• If there is no change in color after 10 seconds re-insert the stick and leave for 2 minutes. Again remove and make notes of any change in color
• Wipe the stick clean before checking the next tank
  

If Water Is Present

• If phase separation or water is detected in the tank it should be removed immediately
• Depending on the amount the contamination it is possible for it to make it to dispensers and into customers vehicles
• Tanks are not always level meaning that the low end could be under the pump, opposite of where you stick it. WeCleanTanks provides an assessment which can determine low spots in the tank for future reference
• Do not accept fuel deliveries into tanks with water present

If Phase Separation is not detected and removed you run the risk of contaminating customers fuel systems and causing engine damage. The result of this is liability claims. You may lose fuel sales due to station down-time. Worst case scenario is having to dispose of all product. This should only be done after confirming the amount of phase separation present in the product.

Product may be analyzed for contaminants. Contact us for more info.

Sources: The Pantry Inc, Ethanolfacts.com and wecleantanks.com

For Information Contact:
WeCleanTanks.Com
Phone: 386 266 8100
Info@wecleantanks.com