How should an outside above ground oil tank be piped in a cold c

jerrygb46_2

Haveing never been to Alaska,do you use any nat gas for heating? P.S would like to take a trip there someday.

ray hickethier

outside oil tanks

how should an outside above ground oil tank be piped in a cold climate to keep the product from gelling and tripping the burner on safety?

chuck shaw

as always,

I will preface this with, the best source of information for this, is your local code enforcement offical, for oil, it is usually the fire department.

Having said that, the usually method, is to use two lines, a supply and a return. These usually will go into the top of the oil tank, and should be about 4 inches off the bottom. There is a fitting, I call a duplex plug (probally not the correct name). One side of the duplex is a supply, one is a return. I locate the filter, inside the home on the supply side, near the burner, with the proper shut off valves. The return line then goes back to the tank, and delivers oil that the system pumps, but does not burn. Depending on your climate, you may wish to add a little extra tubing inside the home, this will warm a little before it goes back to the tank. Also, I like to place the return line, about 4 inches above the supply line (inside the tank). This keeps any possible air bubbles from getting sucked into the oil line.

hope this helps,

Chuck Shaw


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hot_rod

Or.............

Run a single line from the top and use a Tiger Loop. While the Loop is not needed for purging of any air, it does a marvelous job acting as a pre-heater for the fuel due to the friction of the fuel passing through the pump. The warmer the fuel, the better the combustion.

Warm Regards,

heatboy

"Expert in Silent Warmth" ™

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Bob Bona_4

I'm

with hb on this one. 2 line set-ups are trouble, and worse with outside oil tanks. Moves too much oil, stirs up sludge, creates excessive vacuum, poses an uneeded environmental issue with a return line, etc. Tiger Loops are the way to go. Or..if codes allow it in your area, single line off bottom, tank pitched to the outlet, will give you the least trouble. Try to enclose the tank in a type of shed to lessen gelling issues.

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Tom M.

I've read that single pipe is better

with two pipes, oil is heated in the basement and oil filter and also by friction in the pump and then returned to the cold tank. This can be a source of condensation in the tank which can freeze or accumulate in the bottom of the tank. With one pipe, warm oil is not returned to the tank. One concern with the tigerloop: if the tigerloop is lower than level of oil in the tank, use a filter first to filter and warm the fuel then an OSV before the tigerloop. I had a tigerloop that was filling up too high and installed an OSV for that reason( I can't remember if it was in the instructions or advice from a rep.) About a year later, that little metal ball that is pressed into the side of the tigerloop fell out. About 1/2 cup of oil was on the floor as opposed to the entire contents of the tank. Also HOT Heating Oil Treatment works well in preventing freeze ups.

Leo

re Outside Oil Tanks

The company I am with services over ten Mobile Home parks. We have them run Kerosene in the outside tanks with no problems. It costs more than number two fuel oil but doesn't gel. The cost to thaw an outside tank will offset any savings gained by not using kerosene not to mention the aggravation.

Leo

Steve Eayrs

I like the single line,

and the tigerloop, and was glad to read someone else say the warmer returned oil to a cold outside tank creates condensation, etc.. I know the old 2 pipe systems around here (Alaska) have more sludge than single line.
I have been using the tigerloop combi, which has a builting filter and love it.. Also..I don't believe there is more than a couple indoor tanks around here. All outdoor, but #1 oil is run all year, (most places here) just so you don't get caught in the fall with 1/2 a tank of #2. Never had a problem with #1 gelling, but hear they do sometimes way up north.
Steve

Steve Ebels

I have to go with

Single line. Piped off the bottom of the tank with the tank pitched at least 1" TOWARD the outlet. I come out of the tank with a street ell and then a shut off. Stay full size (1/2" or 3/4" pipe) and install a Tee after the shutoff. BTW make sure your shut of is a ball valve. thread the bull of the tee on you valve, out of the bottom of the tee, put a 6" nipple with a cap on the bottom to act as a drip leg. Run your piping to the house out of the top of the tee. The filter must be inside the house near your furnace. isolate it with valves so the cartridge can be changed easily and with minimal mess. From there, it just comes down to maint. removing that drip leg at the tank a few times a year to check for sludge and water and keeping the filter changed at the furnace.

Firedragon_4

Codes

527 CMR 4.00 in Mass. states that any outside tank or any tank exposed to freezing temperatures shall have the supply and return located at the top of the tank. (527CMR4.04(1)(f). In addition EVERY return line must enter the top of the tank.
But, if the tank is filled with #1 (kero) you can come off the bottom with the supply line.

In the other 49 states NFPA31 has always been wishy-washy on this ststing that the lines and tank must be 'weather-proof'. That's the rub.

Most of the postings here speak of condensing and water accumulation. Very important point. So, if you know it's going to happen and it will and it's in text books and OEM manuals than the law considers it 'primae facaie' evidence and you're screwed if something goes wrong. If it was me I'd do it the MA way.

We sell a lot of MA code books as far away as Washington and Idaho. Sold a lot of them into Colorado. It's a matter of CYA, FACT!

Terry_4

Have to disagree with you there SE...

In cold weather above ground tanks, sloping tank towards outlet can cause problems. Sediment and especially moisture can accumulate there and freeze blocking the oil flow.. Tank should be sloped away from outlet (see attached drawing taken from Burnham V-8 manual, granted it shows underground tank but same applies to above ground)

Sloping away makes it easier to siphon sludge/moisture from tank. Also I wouldn't recommend having a drip leg outdoors either for the same reasons. If it fills up with water then freezes and splits you have an oil spill on your hands.

Terry

Unknown

Yep , happened to my own outside tank

I repiped the whole thing a few months ago ( new fill , vent , gauge , and 2 lines off the top ) . I drained all the crap out of the bottom tapping , about 10 gallons worth of primordial spooge .

Last week I went outside to check the tank gauge and it was reading empty . Turns out that I still had 1/2 a tank , but the float on the gauge got stuck in the ice on the bottom of the tank .

Steve Eayrs

In some areas

they have NG, like up the road aprox. 80 miles from me, but you don't have to travel too far to be off the system. Lots of oil, and some LP in those areas.
If you ever make a trip, stop in.
Steve

Alan R. Mercurio

Darned if you do

And Darned if you don't. Terry I agree with Steves way but see your point. Two things. If we are talking about gravity fed fuel from the bottom of the tank. then it is important that we pitch the tank in such a way that we can drain off any build up of water from condensation or sludge from bacterial growth. Plus around here (PA) That's how NFPA 31 Requiers us to install the tank. Just some fuel for thought!

Your friend in the industry,

Alan R. Mercurio

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