Fuels Management
Fuels Management Summary
Fuel degradation is caused by various physical conditions and reactions, such as condensation and oxidation. The presence of water within a fuel system promotes microbial growth, which contributes to fuel degradation and the formation of sludge at the bottom of a tank. This and other common problems with fuel storage and quality can be addressed and managed with Superior’s fuel filtration and tank cleaning system. Superior specializes in aboveground storage tank (AST) and underground storage tank (UST) fuel filtration and tank cleaning services. Superior’s state-of-the-art fuel filtration systems use specialized equipment with various filters, including 2 to 20-micron particulate filters and 2 to 30-micron Hydrosorb filters, to remove sludge and water from the tank.
Superior’s service generates minimal waste and allows your business to remain operational.
Superior’s fuel quality services Include:
- Tank assessment
- Compliance repairs
- Tank cleaning
- Gamajet tank cleaning
- Fuel polishing
- Fuel quality assessment
Fuel Quality Assessment
Fuel Quality Assessment Summary
- Fuel Quality, Tank Cleaning, and Filtration
- Water Intrusion Assessment
- Fuel Quality Monitoring Program
Water Intrusion Assessment
Water Intrusion Assessment Summary
Over time you may develop a water intrusion problem within your aboveground storage tank (AST) or underground storage tank (UST) system resulting from construction defects, aging, and/or damage to the tank or its appurtenances. Water intrusion within a tank can interrupt business operations and may result in complaints and loss of customers due to the sale of compromised fuel. Superior’s fuel quality team specializes in evaluating each tank for points of water intrusion and developing repair strategies that will solve the problem and in turn protect your investment.
Once water intrusion problems are accurately diagnosed, Superior will make repair option recommendations enabling clients to make an informed and confident decision based on needs, priorities, and short or long term plans for the tank(s).
Storage Tank Management
Storage Tank Management Summary
Superior’s storage tank management group provides compliance-related inspections, testing, and consulting services tailored to owners and operators of underground and aboveground petroleum and chemical bulk storage systems.
Superior’s storage tank management services include:
- On-site testing of vapor recovery systems
- Installation and maintenance of electronic leak detection systems
- Preparation of Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) plans
- Inspection and integrity testing of underground storage tank (UST) and aboveground storage tank (AST) and piping systems and corrosion protection systems
- Fuel filtration services
We provide comprehensive management of storage tank systems, including out-sourced programs where we track the required periodic tests. Superior also provides regulatory and operator notifications, construction management for replacement systems, release response and corrective action, installation and maintenance of electronic leak detection systems, secondary containment testing, and helium leak pin-point surveys. We also coordinate and perform testing and inspections and maintain applicable records.
Tank Testing
Tank Testing Summary
- EZ Check Precision Tank Tightness Testing
- Secondary Containment Testing
- EZ Check Pressurized Line Testing / Helium Tightness Testing
- Gravity Piping Line Testing
- Servicing Leak Detection Systems (Mechanical, Electrical)
Tank Cleaning and Fuel Polishing
Tank Cleaning and Fuel Polishing Summary
Superior specializes in aboveground storage tank (AST) and underground storage tank (UST) fuel filtration and tank cleaning services. Superior’s state-of-the-art fuel filtration system uses specialized equipment with various filters, including 2 to 20 micron particulate filters and 2 to 30 micron Hydrosorb filters, which remove sludge and water from the tank. Superior’s service generates minimal waste and allows your business to remain operational.
Common problems with fuel quality and storage, such as water absorption, phase separation, and microbial growth, are addressed and managed with Superior’s Fuel Filtration and Tank Cleaning system.
Superior’s fuel quality and tank cleaning specialists offer the following observations:
- Ethanol fuel – Slow flow, water accumulation, frequent filter changes, and phase separation are all common problems with stored gasoline products. These problems may result in low pumping rates, UST equipment damage, customer dissatisfaction, and invested product losses. When enough water and ethanol mix, a milky color layer can form at the bottom of the tank, which is called phase separation. Cloudy and discolored samples collected from the tank bottom indicate that the fuel contains water. The samples collected after Superior’s processes are clear, showing a successful filtration process.
- Low sulfur diesel/heating oil – Water accumulation and microbial growth are common problems in stored diesel products. These problems may result in corrosion, filter problems, and compromised performance of the UST or AST system. During winter months, excess water in the tank can result in the formation of ice crystals in filters and cause low flow rates. Water in the fuel can enhance microbial growth, which can cause accumulation of microbial growth, fuel degradation, and aggressive wear on metal.
- Sludge and settled solids – Condensation, microbial growth, and fuel decay can create a layer of sludge and particulate debris at the bottom of a tank. This debris is very acidic and leads to degradation of the UST system equipment resulting in down-time and costly repairs. Superior’s cleaning and filtration process will remove sludge and debris from the tank bottom and address these problems.
Certified Operator Inspections
Certified Operator Inspections Summary
All owner/operators of federally regulated underground storage tanks (USTs) must be state certified in the operation and maintenance of their USTs. Under our Tank Services division, Superior is able to provide certified Class A and Class B Operators within your area to assist owner/operators in maintaining compliance with the new state and federal mandates. Maintenance and repair services are also available in order to extend the operational life of your USTs and aboveground storage tank systems.
Superior provides you with confidence that the integrity of your investment in the UST system retains value and that common compliance problems with fuel storage systems are addressed and managed. Superior’s services also include violation resolution, tank compliance inspection, alarm responses, troubleshooting repairs, testing management programs, and training.
Class A Operator: The Class A Operator has primary statutory and regulatory responsibility to operate and maintain the underground tank system. As a Class A Operator, Superior can administer the responsibilities of managing resources and personnel to achieve and maintain compliance with regulations. Such compliance responsibilities include operator training, system and financial record keeping, registration and reporting, tank piping system maintenance, inspection, overfill control prevention including release detection requirements of tank systems and piping, as well as corrosion protection system, testing and equipment compatibility.
Class B Operator: The Class B Operator implements day-to-day field aspects of operating, maintaining, and recordkeeping of the underground tank system. As a Class B Operator, Superior can manage for you the responsibilities of maintaining tank and piping system equipment components. Our Class B Operators maintain overfill protection, fill devices, release detection systems, well monitoring, product reconciliation records, tank gauging, corrosion protection, equipment compatibility, containment methods and monitoring, as well as providing tank testing.
Fuel Quality Monitoring Program
Fuel Quality Monitoring Program Summary
Fuel sampling and evaluation is the key to determining when a problem exists. While water at the bottom of your tanks may be easily visible, the quality and stability of your fuel investment is not. Superior offers a fuel quality monitoring program based on your specific needs to help protect your investment and to better serve your customers. We offer quarterly, semi-annual, and annual monitoring programs.
Our specially designed programs include a visual inspection of your fuels, and in some cases, a complete lab analysis. Lab analysis of your fuels can provide you with solutions to correct any of your fuel problems, as well as maintain the quality of your fuel.
Superior’s fuel quality monitoring program can be customized to your needs. Lab analysis may include:
- Microorganisms (microbial growth)
- Octane index (gasoline)
- Calculated cetane index (diesel fuels)
- Flash point water and sediment
- American Petroleum Institute (API) gravity
- Distillation
New UST and AST Systems
New UST and AST Systems Summary
- Manufacturer Certified Tank Installer/Removals
- Tank Upgrades and Retro Fits
- Certified Piping Installations
- Tank Monitoring Systems (Veeder Root, Incon, Pneumercator)
- Spill and Overfill Prevention
- Cast In place and precast Concrete
- Spill Prevention, Control & Countermeasures (SPCC) Plan