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Oil diesel and kerosene polishing and filtering

Ensuring Optimal Fuel Quality Through Expert Fuel Polishing Services

At LV Fuel Services, we offer fuel polishing services for a range of common fuels, from gas oil to diesel, kerosene and more.

Our fuel polishing and filtering services can remove water and other contaminants from your stored fuel, improving its integrity and helping to reduce wear on your fuel tanks.

What Is Fuel Polishing & Filtering?

Fuel polishing and filtering is the process of removing water and contaminants from stored fuel. Over time, water and other particles can build up inside your stored fuel. This can affect its performance and increase the risk of particles and microbes damaging your fuel storage equipment.

Many fuels start to break down fairly quickly. For example, diesel can start to become oxidised after just six months, resulting in the development of varnish. Other fuels, such as heating oil, often start to break down after 18 to 24 months of storage.

The polishing and filtering process is carried out by employing water separators to eliminate moisture, and often integrating chemical treatments or centrifugal separators to mitigate microbial growth. This comprehensive approach ensures the fuel within tanks meets high-quality standards, promoting efficient engine performance and system reliability.

fuel filter tank clean

Our Approach To Fuel Polishing

1. Fuel Sampling

Before starting the polishing and filtering process, our team will take a sample of the fuel that’s stored inside your underground or above ground tank. Using modern equipment, our team can detect common sources of oil contamination, such as water, microbes and other particles.
Depending on your needs and the sample of your tank’s contents, we’ll recommend the most appropriate course of action. We have the capacity to handle almost all commonly used fuel types, allowing us to meet the needs of countless domestic and commercial customers.

 

2. Fuel Filtration
The fuel is initially filtered through coarse filters to remove larger particulates such as dirt, rust, and debris that may have accumulated in the tank.

 

3. Water Removal
Water separators or coalescers are used to separate and remove any water that has mixed with the fuel.

4. Fine Filtration and Polishing
The fuel then passes through finer filters to capture smaller particles and impurities that may have passed through the initial filtration stages.

Depending on the service level chosen, some processes may include polishing the fuel further using centrifugal separators or chemical treatments to ensure maximum purity and stability.

 

5. Final Fuel Quality Check
Once the fuel has been polished and filtered, we will conduct a final quality check to ensure that the fuel meets industry standards and is suitable for use.

The fuel tank and associated equipment are then cleaned and prepared for future use or storage, ensuring optimal fuel quality and system performance.

fuel polishing and filtering
engineer cleaning a tank

To find out more about our services, please continue reading below or contact us on 0800 799 9739

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Fuel cleaning diagram

What Fuel Polishing Equipment Do We Use?

We use a range of modern equipment to carry out the fuel polishing and filtering process. Our team typically uses equipment such as a centrifuge to carry out the first stages of the polishing process in order to separate fuel from water and larger particles.

If necessary, your fuel can then be filtered through a range of fine filters to remove any particles and contamination. The end result is absolutely clean heating oil or other fuel, without any forms of contamination that can damage your equipment and affect fuel performance.

Fuel polishing before and after

The Benefits of Fuel Polishing And Filtering

  • Non-disruptive process
  • Enhanced fuel quality
  • Extended tank lifespan – By maintaining clean fuel, polishing helps prevent corrosion and buildup of sediments in fuel tanks and associated equipment.
  • Enhanced System Reliability – Reduces the likelihood of fuel-related issues such as clogged filters, injector failures, or fuel line blockages.
  • Cost efficient – Fuel polishing reduces the needs for frequent maintenance and repairs, and lowers operational costs when it comes to downtime.

Why Choose LV Fuel Services For Your Fuel Polishing

At LV Fuel Services, we have a team of fuel tank professionals, with years of experience carrying out fuel tank polishing and filtering for a range of customers. Our friendly team are here to help you, from the initial consultation to the end result, ensuring your fuel lasts.

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Got questions?

Fuel Polishing & Filtering — FAQs

Fuel polishing and filtering is the process of removing water, sediment, microbial contamination, and other impurities from stored fuel without draining the tank. The fuel is circulated through a series of filtration stages — including coarse filters, water separators, and fine polishing filters — until it meets the required quality standard for safe, efficient use.
It depends on the fuel type. Diesel can begin to oxidise after as little as six months, leading to varnish formation and degraded performance. Heating oil typically holds up for 18 to 24 months before breakdown becomes a concern. Fuel stored in tanks exposed to moisture, temperature fluctuations, or microbial activity can degrade faster than these general timeframes.
We carry out fuel polishing and filtering on a range of common fuels including diesel, gas oil, kerosene, and heating oil. If you're unsure whether your fuel type is covered, get in touch and we'll advise based on your specific situation.
Common signs include dark or cloudy fuel, a strong or unusual smell, frequent filter blockages, reduced engine performance, or fuel that has been in storage for an extended period. We take a sample before starting any work so we can assess the condition of the fuel and recommend the most appropriate course of action.
No — one of the key advantages of fuel polishing is that it's a non-disruptive process. The fuel is cleaned in situ without needing to drain or remove the tank, meaning your operations can continue with minimal interruption. Most jobs are completed in a single visit.
We use modern specialist equipment including centrifuges to separate fuel from water and larger particles, followed by a series of progressively finer filters to remove remaining contaminants. Where required, chemical treatments can also be applied to address microbial growth. A final quality check is carried out before the job is signed off.
Yes — we work with domestic, commercial, industrial, and agricultural customers across the UK. Whether it's a single heating oil tank at a residential property or a large commercial fuel storage system, we have the capacity and experience to carry out the work to the same high standard.