Oil Tank Sludge

Mark Hunt

The sludge is just what was left over after the refining process.

In other words, DINOSAURS!!!!

That is why we put filters and screens in fuel lines and burners, to keep the dinosaurs out!!

Hope this helps!!!!

Mark H

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corey

Primordial Oooze?-What is it?

My oil tank was installed in 1962.
Prior to cutting up and removing the tank, I cleaned it out thoroughly.
On the bottom, below a residual layer of watery oil, there was 2-3 inches of, well, gelatinous oooze.
I shoveled it out in big jiggly chunks, just like a Jello commercial. It was dark brown, and a bit translucent.
Should have taken a picture for all to appreciate.
Just curious- what is this stuff? New life forms?

kevin

Oooze.....and ahhs

Is there an additive that can be added to oil tanks to dissolve and reduce this junk? One that really works....KPC

John@Reliable

Tank sludge

Water and oil don't mix,your tank had a supply about 1" from bottom,this would trap water that causes bacteria and also soilds in oil will fall-out and be trapped there to. New tanks today have bottom supply to remove this as it happens. Hopefully this should solve it. A tank that age we find has about 4 to 8 gallons of sludge

BillW@honeywell

The sludge is ...

a bacteria that grows in oil tanks that have water in them. Most oil is contaminated with small amounts of water, water leaks in during filling, by condensation or from pinholes in the tank. Oleophilic bacteria grow on the interface between the oil and the water, which is, of course, at the bottom of the tank. They use the sulfur compounds in the oil as food, and absorb oxygen from the water. They show up as a grey or brown slimy coating on the oil line filter, eventually plugging it, usually at 3:00am when it's -10 outside. Their acidic by-products will eventually corrode the bottom of a metallic tank. You can minimize these critters by keeping the tank full, to avoid condensation, making sure your fillline is weatherproof, and using a biocide to control them. Ask your oil supplier is they use one, or have it available. Heavily infested tanks must be cleaned. For more info, check the NAOHSM website, or visit the "Oil Tech Talk" website.

John@Reliable

Sludge removel

We use "sludge-be-gone" on systems that plug up often and it seems to work OK

corey

Thanks for the scientific insite, Bill.
Does it scare anyone else that life can exist in this environment?
Someday, someone will cut open a tank from 1961, poke his head in to look around, and a new life form will swallow him whole...