Fuel Test and Filtering Service
Commonwealth Tank is now offering fuel testing and fuel filtering services. Fuel analysis has become a very important part of all maintenance and purchasing functions. The cost of diesel fuel, although expensive, is small when compared to the problems that may develop without the proper purchase specifications, verification of those specifications, handling, storage, and distribution. Fuel filtering can provide a cost effective alternative to disposing of contaminated fuel.

Why test your fuel?
Periodic sampling and inspection of stored fuel will reveal several important quality parameters that if gone undetected may cause unnecessary problems in the operation of the diesel generator. Diesel fuel is usually amber or light brown in color, depending on the crude oil and the refinery process used to produce it. Red dye is added to heating oil to change the fuel color for tax identification purposes. Stored fuel will darken due to oxidation of certain components and can be accompanied by the formation of sediment.

Diesel fuel can also become contaminated with microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, yeast, and mold. These microorganisms thrive in water that is formed by condensation. Condensation is created as a tank breathes through the vent pipe. Cooler temperatures cause the tank to shrink and warm temperatures cause it to expand. During this expansion and contraction, the air passing through the tank will condense, and form water. The water, in addition to the nutrients found in fuel oil, provide an excellent environment for bacteria growth.

Why filter your fuel?
Fuel suppliers recommend that diesel fuel stored for emergency use should be replaced with new fuel if not used within a year. Disposing of old fuel, cleaning the tank, and purchasing new fuel is an expensive process that is practiced by many large institutions. As an alternative to disposing and purchasing new fuel, we can test your fuel to verify compliance with ASTM standards as specified by the original supplier. If the fuel testing determines that the fuel is contaminated, we provide a filtration service to remove all the microorganisms and the water that supported the growth. Once the fuel has been filtered, we recommend re-testing the fuel to verify that it meets the ASTM specifications.

Call us if you’d like more information on our fuel testing and filtration services at 1-800-628-8260.