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Aboveground Answers to Underground Problems
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Paul Nazzaro
Advanced Fuel Solutions
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Corrosion in diesel underground storage tanks (USTs) is a far more common problem than UST owners realize, a recently published U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) study suggests. Researchers conducting the long-awaited field investigation inspected 42 UST systems from diverse geographical areas, finding that the vast majority of them-83%-had moderate or severe metal corrosion. Prior to the EPA inspections, less than 25% of participating UST owners reported knowledge of corrosion in their systems.
What does this mean? Aside from the fact that corrosion of UST components could disable their proper operation and enable a costly release of fuel, it means that fuel quality and performance is frequently compromised one step before reaching the consumer-when it should be at its peak. In other words, a deficient product may be representing your brand.
Some other key takeaways from the EPA study:
- Microbiologically-influenced corrosion (MIC) is an ostensible factor as hypothesized by previous research.
- Ethanol was present in 90% of 42 samples, suggesting that cross-contamination of diesel fuel with ethanol is likely the norm, not the exception.
- Particulates and water content in the fuel were closest to being statistically significant predictive factors for metal corrosion.
- The quality of diesel fuel stored in USTs was mixed.
- UST corrosion is geographically widespread, affects systems with steel tanks and with fiberglass tanks and poses a risk to most internal metal components.
Many are quick to point the finger at the emergence of ultra-low-sulfur diesel (ULSD) in the supply pool-and with good reason. Among its disadvantages, ULSD is less stable in storage, and more prone to holding moisture, making it a more fertile environment for microbes, the byproduct of which, acetic acid, is a leading cause of corrosion. However, 15ppm diesel should only take one part of the blame. In reality, fuel quality issues such as those mentioned above are nothing new. They occur at every level of the supply chain, every day.
The fact that ethanol was found in nearly every sample of the EPA study is an indication that storage and transportation practices are not being held to high enough standards. Switch loading, the practice of
loading diesel into a cargo transport tank that had previously held ethanol gasoline, is a known cause of accelerating corrosion in diesel storage tanks-no matter what the sulfur content of the fuel.
The "mixed quality" of the 42 diesel samples can be attributed to common upstream conventions such as arbitrage blending-the practice of increasing the sale price of a lower grade crude oil by blending it with a higher grade, higher price crude. While the objective is to produce blended crude oil to a target specification at the lowest cost using the minimum higher cost crude oil, blending fuels of two different qualities tends to yield, to use the EPA's words, mixed results.
Finally, many of the causes and symptoms of poor fuel quality can be treated with chemical intervention. Particulates and water can be treated with dispersants to hold them in suspension so that they're processed out of the tank and through the fuel system before causing damage. Corrosion inhibitors can be deployed to protect tank linings and metal components from the naturally corrosive properties of fuel. Stabilizers and metal deactivators are proven to prevent fuel degradation (a precursor to corrosion) in storage. The list goes on and on.
In the end, the EPA never explicitly assigned blame for the accelerated corrosion of diesel USTs, only concluding that it's a larger problem than previously thought. With the word now out, if our industry doesn't start proactively preventing it with
sound storage, transportation and general housekeeping practices, as well as through the proper use of preventative, multifunctional additive packages, we'll have no one to blame but ourselves.
For more information on fuel quality maintenance, advanced additive solutions, or general housekeeping practices, contact Paul Nazzaro at 978-258-8360 x301 or [email protected].
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OiIlheat Technicians Manual
now Available
at No Cost
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Oilheat technicians
and students can now access NORA's entire Oilheat Technicians Manual without payment at NORAweb.org under the "Education" menu tab.
The manual, originally released in 2008, is the textbook for the NORA Silver Certification program and contains more than 360 pages of detailed descriptions, procedures and trouble shooting on all topics relating to oilheating. The seventeen chapters are clearly illustrated with hundreds of color illustrations, photos, diagrams and charts.
The Oilheat Technicians Manual can be downloaded, chapter-by-chapter in .pdf format or opened and browsed in a visually appealing, searchable "page flip" format here.
NORA has decided to make the manual available at no cost to students and technicians as part of its mission to, as NORA's president John Huber says, "get as much good information into as many hands as possible; as easily as possible."
The manual has already sold more than 12,000 copies in its printed form and is the required textbook for many technical schools' oilheating curriculum.
The manual can also be purchased in its printed and bound version at NORAstore.org.
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First ever MEC conference on Nov. 1
Metropolitan Energy ConferenceThe New York Oil Heating Association (NYOHA), Oil Heat Institute of Long Island (OHILI) and Connecticut Energy Marketers Association (C
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click to see more
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EMA) invite you to attend the first ever , taking place November 1, 2016 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency in Greenwich, CT.
Modeled after the Southern New England Energy Conference, this one-day program is accessible from all points in the Tri-State Area and will feature eight informative breakout sessions, including:
* Going Green by Selling Biodiesel to Off-Road & Fleet Accounts
* The Fortune Teller - Using Analysis to Predict Your Future
* What Your Service Techs Are Thinking - You Really Want to Know
* NORA Study - Bioheat® Blends are Cleaner than Natgas
* How AEC's Social Media Campaign Can Help Your Marketing
* How Will Your Successors Cope with You Gone
* Management Overview of DOT & DMV Regulations and Compliance
* The Complete Customer Service Playbook
A three-course luncheon and refreshments are also included for all in attendance. This is an event you won't want to miss! Start the heating season off with all the tools your team will need to succeed. And you'll still make it home in time for dinner. Follow the links below or contact Conference Manager
David Chu for more information.
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Eastern Energy Expo is Seeking Best Industry Experts to Serve as Speakers
Deadline for Applications is December 1
Are you interested in sharing your expertise with those responsible for providing energy and home comfort services to millions of consumers in the Northeast?
The 2017 Eastern Energy Expo, taking place May 21-25, 2017 in Hershey, Pa., released its open "Request for Presentations," in which organizers are seeking prominent industry experts to present at the conference.
Speaker topics can be far-ranging. The Eastern Energy Expo will offer a wide range of business and education programs for all company personnel, including owners, managers, service managers, technicians and customer service representatives.
To be considered as a presenter, visit
easternenergyexpo.com. You will be asked to provide detailed information on your proposed topic. If you are submitting multiple topics, please fill out a different form for each topic.
Presentations cannot be sales pitches for a company or product. The Eastern Energy Expo committee will be reviewing all submissions to ensure that presentations are educational.
The conference is presented by the Atlantic Region Energy Expo (AREE), the Oil & Energy Service Professionals (OESP) and the Pennsylvania Petroleum Association (PPA).
Conference organizers are planning for more than 4,000 attendees at the premier trade show for the energy and comfort industries. Exhibitors are now reserving their booths for the two-day trade show on May 23-24, showcasing all the latest products and services for the petroleum marketing and HVAC industry.
There will be more than 250 exhibits as well as a full schedule of technical and business sessions.
Sponsorship Opportunities remain. Companies can have their logo on official conference signage, as well as print ads, web ads, complimentary conference registrations, branded e-blasts and exhibitor booths.
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Bosch Thermotechnology Corp. is Now Innovation Partner with DOE Zero Energy Ready Home
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| Click on the image to take the tour. |
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Bosch Thermotechnology Corp.
announced its participation in the Department of Energy (DOE) Zero Energy Ready Home program. The DOE Zero Energy Ready Home (formerly DOE Challenge Home) represents a new level of home performance, with rigorous requirements that ensure outstanding levels of energy savings, comfort, health and durability. The DOE Zero Energy Ready Home is a way to recognize builders for leadership in increasing energy efficiency, improving indoor air quality and making homes zero energy ready.
DOE Zero Energy Ready Homes are verified by a qualified third-party and are at least 40-50 percent more energy efficient than a typical new home. This generally corresponds to a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index Score in the low- to mid-50s, depending on the size of the home and region in which it is built. The Zero Energy Ready Home is so energy efficient, most or all of its annual energy consumption can be offset with renewable energy, according to the company.
As a Zero Energy Ready Home Innovation Partner, Bosch Thermotechnology supplies sustainable HVAC solutions with Energy Star recognized heating, air conditioning and water heating systems, including tankless water heaters, boilers and air-to-air and geothermal heat pump systems.
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Fifteen percent of fuel customers have secondary heat sources and that doesn't even take into consideration propane accounts that are not on a heat curve. As gallons-per-customer shrink, your deliveries need to be as streamlined and flexible as possible. Industry experts agree that each delivery costs between $50 and $75 per stop, all in. Filling tanks at Truly Optimum™ levels, and eliminating deliveries, is critical for today's oil and propane companies. Gremlin is reliable, simple to install and integrates with your delivery software. It includes a Smartphone app with your name that allows your customers to see what is in their tank and how much they are using; it also includes a link to call you when it's time to order more fuel. It will wreak havoc on inefficient deliveries and wasted money, make run-outs disappear, discourage deliveries from discount companies, defend your customers 24/7 and increase your profits, according to the company. Gremlins are available to any fuel company, whether or not you offer Paygo billing.
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Pennsylvania Petroleum Association Thanks
Tim Wolf for Helping to Build Education Program
Tim Wolf, who has been the Director and Chief Instructor of the Pennsylvania Petroleum Association (PPA) Education Program since 2012, has accepted a position with a leading oil heat marketer to serve in a similar role.
PPA would like to extend our sincere thanks to Tim for all his efforts in growing the Education Program and wish him all success in his new endeavor.
Plans are in progress for another extensive training course program in 2017. Thanks to all those companies that utilized and supported the Education Program this year.
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Slant/Fin Corp., manufacturer of Baseboard, Residential and Commercial Cast Iron and High Efficiency Boilers, announced that Kevin Devine has been added to the Sales Management Team as a Regional Sales Manager. Devine brings with him almost two decades of experience in the Hydronic Heating Industry. The knowledge Devine has gained from a history that includes working in the electronics industry and over 15 years of working with Residential and Commercial Baseboard along with Residential and Commercial Cast Iron and High Efficiency Gas Boilers, will allow him to bring new ideas to his areas of responsibility that will add to the company's present successes. He is an industry recognized trainer and has trained hundreds of contractors throughout the Northeast.
Devine will work directly with Manufacturers Representatives in the Mid-Atlantic States, Pennsylvania and Ohio, developing programs, promotions and sales strategies for the company's growth with its valued Distributor and Contactor networks.
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Roberts Energy announces new Wholesale Marketing Manager
Roberts Energy of Springfield Massachusetts announced the hiring of Mark Skaparas as Wholesale Marketing Manager. Skaparas will be responsible for the development of Roberts Energy's re-seller
business division which sells wholesale gasoline, diesel fuel, kero and heating oil throughout the Northeast.
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Taco offers mixing valve for domestic water
 Taco introduced the 5121 Mixing Valve, a compact, lead-free domestic water thermostatic valve designed to deliver stable, mixed water temperatures for faucets or any point-of-use installation wherever an ASSE 1070 safety valve is required. The 3/8" valve is an addition to the existing 5120 Series mixing valve product line, which also includes ½, ¾ and 1" sizes. The 3/8" 5121 thermostatic valve is offered in two versions, one with a T and elbow and one without. The ASSE 1070-listed, point-of-use valve helps ensure stable, mixed water temperatures throughout a home or business. Maximum flow is 5.8 GPM. The hot supply temperature range is 120-180˚F, the cold supply range is 39-85°F and the outlet temperature range-set at the factory for 110˚F-is 95-118˚F.Each 5121 valve includes a mounting bracket, connects to 3/8" flexible hose or compression 3/8" OD tube and also includes check valves, inlet strainers and a tamper-resistant cap.
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Niles Steel Tank offers new electric water heaters
Niles Steel Tank now offers 150- to 1,000-gallon electric water heaters, from 12 to 162kW that feature 150psi ASME code glass lining, ASME temperature and PRV, internal fusing (above 120 amps) and magnesium anode rods. The water heaters also offer immersion thermostats, manual reset high limit, hinged and locking door and channel iron skid base. Options include BMS contacts, low water cut-off, electric step controller (for 36kW and higher), low and high pressure switches, time clocks and lifting lug access. The water heaters are used in hospitals, apartments, dormitories, commercial laundry facilities and in areas with low gas availability.
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Biofuels, Biodiesel and Bioheat®
These three terms are being heard from every quarter of the oilheating industry. Often they are used interchangeably---this is not correct. Each one has a specific meaning and knowing the difference matters. Here are very short definitions to help keep them straight. These are not meant to be technical definitions, but a usage guide.
Biofuel: a fuel derived directly from living matter. Often used as a generic term that may include various fuels such as biodiesel or ethanol. Usually considered renewable.
Biodiesel: a very specific product produced in a very specific way to meet very specific specifications. The feedstock to create biodiesel can vary and may include soy oil or tallow. Here is what the National Biodiesel Board has to say about it: "a fuel comprised of mono-alkyl esters of long chain fatty acids derived from vegetable oils or animal fats, designated B100,
and meeting the requirements of ASTM D6751." If not... it's not biodiesel.
Bioheat®: A registered trademarked name whose definition is a liquid fuel that is comprised of a blend of petroleum #2 distillate fuel (heating oil/diesel) and Biodiesel (see above). To meet the definition, the petroleum component must meet the ASTM D396 standard and the biodiesel component must meet the ASTM D6751 standard. If those two criteria are not met, it can not be called Bioheat®.
Remember, biodiesel is a biofuel but not all biofuels are biodiesel. Also, biodiesel is the only acceptable biofuel component in Bioheat®
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Gas Appliance Service/Timmie McElwain
Upcoming Training Sessions
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