Removing Old Tank

EdTheHeaterMan

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1802693#Comment_1802693

Seems that @LRCCBJ and I hav been having fun disagreeing on when to use a 2 pipe oil line. …and I love your signature tag line!

EdTheHeaterMan

@LRCCBJ said: Once all the fuel in the tank drops below the magic number (17F), the game is over in an attempt to get it to flow at 20 GPH as you have originally noted. The one pipe system has greater capability at this point, however, it is not a panacea. You needed the "hot 4 in 1" to fix the the one pipe problem as you noted above.

Again another misQuote or misUnderstanding of a Quote. By bad for not being clear on this topic.

Actually the 4-in-1 is not needed once you design the one pipe properly.

The HOT 4-in-1 was used at the magic 17° temperature to remove the water form the one pipe line. That water was at the time ICE. It did not address the viscosity issue. The viscosity issue happens at much lower temps that we do not get in southern NJ but once every 5 years or so and never for more that a day or two. That 7 to 8 day event was a once in a lifetime event. And will never happen again due to global warming according the some political powers to be. (But we do not take political sides here) But in Canada, it might get colder, so I make this point for our northern friends. LOL 🤨

Now installing a fuel line from an outdoor tank to the protection of a crawl space or a basement like this will need the push pump and chemical service that I discovered back in 1984:

That is because the installer of the tank wanted to leave the oil line outside until it was close to the burner where it would then enter the home. See the low spots before it enters the home? As little as one tablespoon of water from condensation, will freeze and block the fuel flow. That is because the slow moving oil will allow the heavier water to drip back thru the advancing oil. A two pipe system will move that water out of the way, supporting your statement that a two pipe is better, but will have a different problem later. https://photos.google.com/direct/AF1QipNcYmadDAQELUDYHAO9vGX2F31FuxBagZpZvixewuIBKiegRYvGe30xIPrabxddfQ example of water not flowing up a fuel line that is trapped by poor design. This may take some time to upload depending on your ISP provider and internet connection, so here are 3 screes shots in a row showing the movement of the oil thru the water leaving the water behind to freeze later in the night

This is what I have learned from that experience in 1984.  Install one pipe in this configuration so there are no traps for water in the fuel line until it gets inside the temperature protection of a crawl space or basement.  

Fast forward to the weather event where we had below zero temperatures overnight 8 days in a row.  Armed with this 1984 knowledge (I got this from Big Brother by the way) of one pipe systems operating without adding extra chemicals by proper single pipe oil line design, I was faced with more than one gelling fuel issues.  I discovered that the one pipe system would allow enough flow for up to 3 GPM oil flow to many of my one pipe design customers, however the two pipe customers were experiencing a problem.  When switched to one pipe, the problem was resolved.  And the need for a pour point depressant (part of the 4 in 1) was not immediate.  Although it was not discouraged, it was not a requirement. 

I hope I have addressed your assessment that the chemical treatment of the oil was a requirement on both systems.   Even with extra doses of chemicals, some of the two pipe tanks still experienced viscosity problems.  I do remember one customer was adamant about not buying the tiger loop with the "I never needed it before" argument.  After the 4th day of return calls for the same problem, I just gave up and installed it anyway.  I didn't care if I got paid for it, I just wanted it resolved.  The next 4 days were trouble free. 

When the weather lightened up a bit and I had time to catch up on paperwork, I sent him a bill for the Tiger Loop repair with a letter saying that if he wanted to keep it, he could pay for it.  If he did not want to pay for it, I would gladly remove it this summer when I completed the yearly maintenance. There would be no additional charges, just the original charges for the emergency call for the evenings I was there to solve the cold fuel issue.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JizzeERcZjg 

Your turn @LRCCBJ