oil tank additives

Unknown

by your oil delivery company company.

All you need to do is ask for the service and they will put the right amount in the tank at each delivery.

Another thing you should do is to install aa oil return line. that will keep the oil from stagnating in the tank, it will help prevent bacteria and algae growth too.

jake

bob_6

oil tank additives

I have an 275 gal tank in an unheated garage with a single line running 50' to basement burner. Any suggestions on available additives to reduce/elimate sludge,water, and gelling problems during these extremely cold days? Someone had suggested adding about a qt. of denatured alcohol to tank to get rid of water. Any ideas for products available to the homeowner? THANKS.

Tom M.

HOT

We've been using HOT heating oil treatment in our outside tanks for about ten year. The only freeze ups we had last week were people like you who have a tank in a garage or barn that was not being treated and the extended cold weather permeated where it hadn't before. There is another product called Meltdown that can be used in an emergency to thaw out a tank that has gelled up. You should speak to your oil dealer, his drivers probably carry a case in the truck with them or a similar product from another manufacturer.

Alan R. Mercurio

I agree with Tom

When I was in the feild Hot was all I used. Keep in mind for best results you want to put it in the tank just prior to delivery. 16 oz. for 275 gallons of fuel. Now honestly as technician I had also used it after a delivery but as long as I stirred it up it always worked.

A little fuel for thought. The Pour point of #2 Fuel Oil is +20 and Kerosene is +5 so in this extreme cold weather we have been having. getting either of them to flow can be a challange at times.

Your friend in the industry,

Alan R. Mercurio

Oil Tech Talk

B. Tice

Try power service

This additive is available in the chain auto parts stores and any truck stop.

Tom M.

2 pipe systems

2 pipe systems should be avoided where the tank is cold. The oil gets heated as it enters the warm basement, goes through the filter(or sits in it between cycles), and then removes heat created by friction in the pump. This heated oil, when returned to the cold tank, will create condensation which can shorten the life of the tank and contribute to freeze ups and to sludge problems. A single line from the top of the tank (code in Mass.), getting into the warm area with the shortest outside run possible, a tigerloop in lift situations (mount it higher than the tank or precede it with an OSV) and treating the tank at deliveries has worked well for us. When the OSV is used, put a filter ahead of it to allow the fuel to warm up before entering the OSV. A shed or tank cover (also code in mass.) reduces the effects of wind on those cold nights as well.