Portable Tank Cleaning System
TK Series Fuel Polishing System
TK-240 XT Specifications
and
Frequently Asked Questions
TK-240 XT Series Portable Fuel Polishing and Tank Cleaning System
Flow Rate
240 GPH (910 lph)
Serviceable Tank Size
Up to 1,250 gallons (Up to 4,735 ltr)
Motor
Integrated with Helical Spur Gear Pump
Power
12V DC 10A
Batter Clamp Leads (9 ft)
Max. Fluid Viscosity
5 cST
Fluids
Diesel Fuel, Hydraulic, Engine & lube oil, water, antifreeze
Plumbing
Stainless Steel
Port Size
1/2″ Hose Barb Inlet / Outlet
Filtration Controller
Manual On/Off Switch – 10 Amp Fuse
Primary Filter Elements
50 Mesh (297µ)Screen
Secondary Filtration
Spin-On Filter
Suction Hose
Clear Metal-
Reinforced 1/2 in. – 15 ft. (4.57 m)
Pressure (Discharge) Hose
1/2 in. reinforced – 15 ft (4.57 m)
Max Allowed Discharge Pressure
28 PSI (1.8 bar)
Suction Capability (Primed)
5 Ft. Vertical Lift (lines > 1/2″)
Operating Temperature
41 – 104 deg. F (5 – 40 deg C)
Weight
26 lbs (11.8 kg)
Dimensions
(H x W x D)
13″ x 12″ x 12″
33 x 30 x 30 cm
Stand/Drip
Tray (L x W x H)
14″ x 13″ x 4.25″
35.6 x 33.0 x 10.8 cm
Not for use with fluids that have a flash point below 100 deg. F.
The fuel flow first enters the Fuel Conditioner immediately upon exiting the fuel pump. Operating on the principal of induction on the process of combining kinetic and magnetic energy to influence the behavior of electrons, the Fuel Conditioner provides a powerful magnetic field and the flow of fuel provides the kinetic energy.
As fuel deteriorates, clusters of fuel components break down and residue begins to accumulate, resulting in dark, hazy fuel with poor combustibility. This residue is composed primarily of asphalt components of the crude oil from which diesel fuel is refined that have fallen out of solution. The fuel becomes dark as the asphaltenes agglomerate and gain weight. The increase in size and mass of the fuel breakdown products lead to clogged filters and the build up of tank sludge.
Accumulation of water in the fuel tank provides habitat for bacterial and microbes brought into the tank through the breather vent or with fuel. As this microbial growth grows and reproduces, a bio-film accumulates and attaches to the tank walls and baffles of the fuel tank and may be seen floating in the fuel (and sometimes referred to mistakenly as “algae”).
This accumulation of bio-mass and fuel breakdown clogs filters, adversely impacts combustion efficiency, produces dark smoke from the exhaust, form acids that degrade injectors and fuel pumps, and adversely impacts performance. Eventually fouled diesel fuel will clog fuel lines and ruin your equipment.
The Fuel Conditioner dissolves the clusters, stabilizes the fuel, and eliminates tank sludge. The results are Clear & Bright Fuel, improved filterability, optimal combustion and clean fuel systems. It also adversely impacts the reproduction process of the microbes and prevents further growth (see the article “Why Bacteria Hate Magnets“, allowing continuing use of the fuel to eliminate the microbes. The process of how the Fuel Conditioner makes clear, bright and more combustible fuel as well as restoring degraded fuel and eliminating the effects of microbial contamination is compelling. As the Fuel Conditioner does not filter the fuel, but treats it as it passes through the unit, there is seldom any reason to suspect that a restriction is in the Fuel Conditioner. But you can remove the face plate, remove the magnet and wipe it off with a shop rag and replace the magnet and face plate. A spare parts kit for the Fuel Conditioner includes a new face panel O-Ring and replacement screws to fasten the face plate.
It is critically important to re-circulate the fuel through the Fuel Polishing and Maintenance System that best suits your requirements, whether it is a hand held TK Series System, an MTC Series Mobile System, an FPS Series Compact System, or an STS Advanced Automated Enclosed Fuel Maintenance System. But the re-circulation process does not create sufficient fuel flow and agitation in the tank, in many instances, to really knock the slime and sludge off the sides and inside top of the tank, and not enough force to loosen the sludge that has been accumulating on the floor of your fuel tank for years!
What you need is something to clean the tank and put this bio-film and slime into the fuel flow so that the Fuel Polishing and Maintenance System can filter out the debris and the Fuel Conditioner can get to the microbes and break apart the agglomerated asphaltene component of the fuel.
Moving the suction hose stinger (an extension to the hose, usually rigid, allowing for the control of the suction line intake end) of the Fuel Polishing System around the bottom during the fuel re-circulation phase does stir up considerable material for the suction line to deliver to the Fuel Polishing System, but there needs to be something that can dissolve the slime and organic material off the tank walls, top, and floor prior to the re-circulation process that will also keep working between Fuel Polishing Treatments.
It is recommended that the diesel fuel tank be treated with the AFC Series Broad Spectrum Additive Concentrate appropriate to your application a day or two prior to the first re-circulation. It should be added to a full tank of fuel or the tank filled just after the additive is introduced to the tank.
After completing the initial fuel polishing re-circulation, continue the use of AFC Series Additives at least once or twice every six months thereafter to assure the fuel tank remains clean and the fuel is stabilized. This will enhance and accelerate the long term tank cleaning process, mainly the hardened sludge in the tank bottom, by breaking down and dissolving the existing tank sludge.
Check the Tank Bottom for Water at Regular Intervals
Always check the fuel tank for an accumulation of water in the bottom of the tank prior to doing a re-circulation. Using a rod, sometimes used to measure fuel in a storage tank, or a length of PVC pipe, spread a line of Kolor Kut Water Finding Paste on the side of the rod or pipe and insert to the bottom of the tank. If the paste touches water, it will change colors, showing how much water is in the tank requiring removal.
Treating a full tank of fuel is important as you don’t want to clean just the bottom half of the tank. You want the additive treated fuel to touch every part of the sides and, if possible, the top of the tank — anywhere the fuel touches during equipment operation.
The AFC Series Fuel Additives are industrial strength and concentrated for the focused dual-purpose of:
- First – working hand-in-hand with the Fuel Conditioning and Tank Cleaning Systems cleaning fuel tanks in preparation for periodic circulation and treatment of the fuel; and
- Second – as a continuing part of a Fuel Management Plan to maintain the cleanliness of storage tanks and fuel systems and assuring that your fuel maintains Optimal Fuel Quality, that we define as fuel that is like it was when it left the refinery, for as long as you depend on the fuel to efficiently operate your equipment.
Removal of Residual Water
Prior to the initial and any subsequent fuel polishing re-circulation, pump any measurable accumulated water out of the tank for proper disposal. It is, however, often impossible to remove all of the water. The AFC-705 Catalyst and Tank Cleaning Additive contains a surfactant that will emulsify this residual water up into the fuel for removal by a Water Block Filter on the Fuel Polishing System.
The AFC-710 Catalyst and Tank Cleaning Additive, which is Tier 4 Compliant, does not include the surfactant component, but otherwise works the same as the AFC-705 to dissolve deposits and stabilize the fuel. As and option to the liquid AFC-710, a powdered form of AFC-710 is also available. It is easier in certain instances to handle, store and transport.
Additive Dosage
Depending on the condition of the fuel and the amount of sludge build-up, it is recommended to initially use a double dose of one to twenty-five hundred (1:2500 – one oz. to 20 gallons of fuel) and circulate the capacity of the tank five times. The use of AFC Fuel Catalyst has proven to be essential in accelerating the tank cleaning process. AFC-705 and 710 contains detergent, dispersant, corrosion inhibitor, lubricity enhancer and combustion catalyst. AFC Additives do not contain biocides.
For engines manufactured in 2007 and later, use AFC-710, available in both liquid and powdered form. AFC-710 does not contain the surfactant (used to emulsify residual water into the fuel for removal in the circulation process as does AFC-705), a component that does not allow for qualification as a Tier 4 product.
Tank Cleaning & Fuel Treatment for Cold Weather Use
For cold weather operations, AFC Fuel Catalyst AFC-805 is a unique and powerful anti-gelling broad-spectrum fuel additive specifically formulated for use in Diesel, Bio-fuels, Gasoline, Kerosene, and HFO. AFC-805 can be used as part of any preventative fuel maintenance program, and is ideal for use in bulk storage fuel tanks in cold weather environments. AFC-805 enhances the breakdown and removal of sludge, slime, and bio-fouling from tank walls and baffles that are difficult to access. It continues to work in storage tanks cleaning and stabilizing fuel for up to 12 months with a single dose.
If a tank has a straight-line access to the bottom of the fuel tank from the fuel fill hole or through another inspection port, a length of PVC, PEX or similar material pipe, 1/2 inch in diameter, can be used like a soda straw to sample what is in the bottom of a tank. Cut the pipe to length to allow insertion of the pipe to the bottom of the tank while allowing your thumb to cover the exposed end of the pipe. With your thumb over the end, insert the pipe to the bottom of the tank, remove your thumb so what is at the very bottom will rush into the tube to the level of fuel in the tank. Again place your thumb over the end of the pipe and extract the pipe, maintaining the liquid and other materials inside the tube. Place an empty clear plastic 2 liter soft drink bottle upright in the bottom of a empty 5-gallon bucket. Direct the end of the tube into the drink bottle (any spilled liquid will be caught inside the five gallon bucket). Perform this action several times. Allow the contents of the bottle to settle (ideally overnight) and inspect the materials in the bottom of the drink bottle. Any debris or water should be apparent.
If your tank is larger and using a tube to recover fuel, water or other debris from the bottom of the tank is not possible, you can use a Tank Sample (TS) Fluid Sampler. You can take 4 oz., 8 oz, or 16 oz. samples using the AXI Tank Sampler.
You can also use the FS 100 Hand Pump to pull fuel through a length of tubing and into a Sample Bottle. Instructions for using the Hand Pump is on the Fuel Sampling Devices web page.
The TK 240 XT Package includes the following:
- Nickel Plated Brass Gear Pump
- Powered by 12 volt DC – alligator clamps included
- T-Strainer Primary Filter Screen
- Secondary Spin-On Filtration (3-micron water block filter standard)
- LG-X 500 Fuel Conditioner
- Pressure gauge to alert to filter change
- 15 ft. Suction Hose
- 15 ft. Discharge Hose
- Drip Tray
- One 8-oz Bottle of AFC-710 Diesel and Gasoline Fuel Treatment and Stabilizer Additive
TK-240 XT Fuel Polishing and Tank Cleaning System
The TK-240 XT Portable Fuel Tank Cleaning and Fuel Transfer System is the ideal single piece of support equipment that every diesel-fuel-powered equipment owner needs to assure that the diesel engines they depend on will perform with optimal performance every time the key is turned providing long term tank cleaning and fuel management benefits.
The TK-240 XT will provide fuel re-circulating, filtration, polishing and/or handle the transferring of diesel fuel and other light oils in vessels, stand-by generators, trucks, buses, agricultural and heavy equipment.
The TK-240 XT is compact, portable and easy to use. Although very popular for marine applications, the TK-240 XT has shown its flexibility again and again on the arm, on construction sites, in equipment rental businesses, and in mining operations. No repair or maintenance shop that maintains diesel powered equipment should be without one.
The TK-240 XT is NOT recommended for use with gasoline or other fluids with a flash point below 100 deg. F, the TK240 XT is well suited for use with diesel, kerosene, and bio-diesel fuels.
The TK-240 XT effectively removes water, particulates and sludge from the bottom of tanks and transfers waste to the appropriate waste receptacle.
The TK-240 XT’s fuel polishing process stabilizes diesel, kerosene and bio-diesel fuels, eliminates microbial contamination, and ensures fuel remains clean when used seasonally or only occasionally in optimal condition. Small service companies (tree services, landscape maintenance, construction companies and others) also are able to keep equipment running more efficiently and get longer life out of those expensive equipment filter elements, not to mention longer life from fuel system components. The TK-240 XT guarantees Optimal Fuel Quality for Reliable Power at All Times.
The TK-240 XT is a 12 Volt 10 AMP hand held unit that can be operated with battery power or, with the optional converter, powered by 110V 60Hz or 230V 50Hz power. The TK-240 XT is capable of treating a 625 gallon tank, re-circulating the fuel three times (the recommended final phase of a complete fuel polishing) in 8 hours. Cleaning larger tanks can be performed over more than one day. Regular cleaning of tanks over 1,250 gallons should consider the efficiency of a cart mounted fuel polishing system, such as the MTC 1000 Fuel Polishing System.
Applications
An TK Series Portable Fuel Conditioning and Tank Cleaning Systems provides a great deal of flexibility, being able to take the system to one or many tanks that have shown symptoms of fuel degradation, water contamination, microbial contamination, or diesel engine component failure caused by bad diesel fuel. The TK-240 XT is maybe the most popular as it can not only polish the fuel in a diesel fuel storage tank without the need to remove the fuel, it can also solve fuel related issues emanating from a tank on a single piece of equipment. As long as at least one hose can be inserted into the tank, ideally to the bottom of the tank, the TK-240 XT can do its job (this would involve use of a second tank capable of holding the fuel being removed, but it does do the job). If both hoses can be inserted into the tank, typically at the fuel filler opening, then the fuel can be re-circulated in place.
Any piece of equipment can be a candidate for contamination. An individual that owns a diesel power marine craft, a pickup truck, motor home, farm tractor, tractor trailer rig, or construction equipment can use this handy fuel conditioning and tank cleaning tool. Many folks start with the TK-240 XT and see that it performs the tank cleaning and fuel polishing chores beyond expectations, and then move up to another, higher capacity MTC Series Mobil Tank Cleaning System, such as the MTC 1000 or MTC 3000 so that the job can get done quicker, allowing the MTC to be available to clean more fuel tanks, assuring that operations continue to run without stoppage or slow down due to fuel related problems.
Diesel Repair Facilities
Every repair or service shop or mobile service vehicle should have a TK-240 XT handy. It is an invaluable tool to solve any number of problems, and often the process of polishing the diesel fuel in an equipment’s fuel tanks becomes a standard part of a regularly scheduled preventative maintenance protocol, just like changing the oil and checking the air filter. Feedback from customers often include comments that the cost of purchasing a TK-240 XT to polish their diesel fuel and clean just one tank was far less expensive than undertaking the removal of all diesel fuel from the diesel fuel tank, arranging for the proper disposal of the fuel, removal of the fuel tank from the equipment, and extensive efforts attempting to clean the inside of the tank with pressure or steam, often with less than the desired results. One use of the TK-240 XT easily costs less than the alternative, without considering the expense of replacing the fuel that was previously thought to be unusable.
TK-240 XT Functionality
The TK-240 XT Fuel Filtration System is self contained, and stand-alone. It will recondition and stabilize fuel, eliminate & prevent microbial contamination and remove water, sludge and contaminants from tanks; preserving the integrity of stored fuel, providing reliable power whenever it is needed.
The principal TK-240 XT components include a continuous duty motor with coupled helical spur gear pump, a Primary T-Strainer with 40 mesh (380µ) screen, a Secondary WB-S spin-on filter with a 3µ Water Block filter (standard), and an available FFS-10 spin- on 10µ fine particulate filter. The Water Block filter utilizes a special filter element material that will remove both free water and emulsified water from the fuel stream. An LG-X Series Fuel Conditioner is included to optimize fuel quality, increase filterability and eliminate microbial contamination. All components are designed into a hand carry unit and tray that contains any fuel dripage during filter changes and provides a handy place to place tools when carrying the TK-240 XT between tanks.
The process involved in performing a fuel polishing and tank cleaning of your tank, along with additional information about why diesel fuel goes bad, and how to recognize the symptoms, is available in much more detail in the Guides Menu item at the top of this page.
Additional Information
Elements
Elements
Hose — The TK-240 XT Package is sold with 15 feet of suction (vacuum) and 15 feet of discharge (pressure) hose included. Order additional hose to extend your reach:
- TK-050 — Clear wire reinforced suction (vacuum) hose – sold by the foot in 5-foot increments
- TK-051 — Flexible discharge (pressure) hose – sold by the foot in 5-foot increments
Other Items often sold with the TK-240 XT for Fuel Tank Management:
- Desiccant Breather Vent – vent device to filter air entering fuel tank and remove water from the air
- Water Eliminator – in tank device to absorb water from condensation