Portable Tank Cleaning System

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.