What You Need to Know About Fuel Storage Tank Cleaning Above grounds fuel storage tanks (ASTs) are cleaned for to multiple reasons including change of petroleum products stored within the tank, regulatory requirements, or to conduct maintenance and repair work. Cleaning an above ground oil or fuel storage tank is extremely dangerous because of the presence of hazardous and toxic material and vapors. The task can only be carried out by trained and qualified professionals. Risks Of a Dirty Tank Here are some of the risks involved with having a dirty fuel storage tank. Superficial fuel residue accumulated over the time increases the risk of fire and explosion. Accumulated sediments and moisture degrade the quality of fuel. Condensation can cause water accumulation to occur inside the fuel tank. This may lead to rust and corrosion to the inner walls of the tank, the tank bottom in particular, leading to seepage and leaking.
Cleaning Frequency The cleaning frequency of any fuel tank depends on the tank location and the way it is being used. For instance, fuel tanks which are more consistently filled and emptied tend to accumulate more particles, sediments and fuel residue than the TANKS which are used less frequently. Hence, frequently used tanks should be cleaned more often than infrequently used ones. How to Conduct Tank Cleaning Here are a few crucial steps which are imperative in cleaning the fuel storage tank in an efficient way.