Recover Usable Fuel
Contaminated fuel isn’t always worthless. Cleaning may allow usable fuel to be recovered instead of paying to dispose of it and purchase a replacement supply.
Don’t Throw Away Your Fuel. Clean It.
Stored fuel can look perfectly fine from the outside while contamination is quietly building inside the tank.
Water, sediment, particulate matter and microbial byproducts can accumulate over time, eventually making their way into filters, fuel systems and engines. Fuel polishing provides a way to remove many of these contaminants from the fuel itself without automatically replacing the entire fuel supply.
Tank Rx is the prescription for fuel that needs to be cleaned, not discarded.
What Is Fuel Polishing?
Fuel polishing is a specialized process that circulates stored fuel through filtration and separation equipment designed to remove contaminants such as water and particulate matter. The fuel is continuously processed until the contamination is removed to the extent appropriate for the condition of the fuel and the system.
The Goals of Fuel Polishing are Simple:
Clean the fuel, protect the equipment, and get more value from existing fuel.
Why Does Fuel Need Polishing?
Fuel doesn’t necessarily stay in the same condition as the day it was delivered.
During storage, water can enter or accumulate in the tank. Sediment can settle to the bottom. Microbial contamination can develop where water and fuel coexist. Those contaminants can eventually be pulled into the fuel system.
Common warning signs of when you need fuel polishing include:
- Repeatedly clogged fuel filters
- Water found in fuel samples
- Sludge or sediment in the tank
- Poor or inconsistent engine performance
- Fuel that appears cloudy or contaminated
- Generator or equipment starting problems
- Fuel that has been stored for extended periods
- Recurring contamination after filters have been replaced
If you’re seeing the symptoms but haven’t identified the cause, Tank Rx can start with a fuel sample and determine the appropriate prescription.
Benefits of Fuel Polishing
Who Needs Fuel Polishing?
Fuel polishing can be useful for any operation that stores fuel for extended periods or depends on stored fuel when it matters most.
Tank Rx Provides Fuel Polishing Services to:
- Gas stations and convenience stores
- Backup generator systems
- Commercial buildings
- Farms and agricultural operations
- Construction companies
- Fleet operations
- Industrial facilities
- Marinas
- Fuel distributors
- Emergency and standby power systems
What Happens If You Don’t Polish Contaminated Fuel?
Contamination doesn’t typically disappear on its own. Water and sediment can continue to collect. Microbial contamination can contribute to additional sludge and, in certain conditions, corrosion. Contaminants can eventually move through the fuel system and clog filters or affect equipment performance.
The result can be:
More filter changes → equipment problems → downtime → lost productivity → expensive repairs.
And in some situations, the final cost can include disposing of an entire fuel supply that might otherwise have been recoverable.
Is Your Fuel Clean Enough?
Don’t guess. Test your fuel with a free sampling.
Tank Rx can take a properly collected fuel sample, assess its condition and recommend the appropriate treatment.