Heating oil tanks often accumulate condensate water over time, which can lead to the need for water tank removal. Since water is heavier than kerosene or gas oil, it settles at the bottom of heating oil tanks.
When water gets into the heating oil, fungus can begin to grow and form sludge at the bottom of the tank. This process usually takes a few years, but the buildup can eventually impact heating system performance and may require water tank removal services to resolve the issue.
Problems Caused by Water Reaching the Fuel Line
Problems start when water gets to the fuel draw level of the outlet valve. If water gets into the oil feed line, the boiler will stop working. Usually in the feed line there is a filter which filters oil from debris or water.
Some filters fill up with water and stop feeding fuel to prevent boiler damage. Some filters filter only from debris and let’s water through. In this case the boiler will stop working.
Oil Tank Water Removal Methods
We offer oil tank cleaning and water removal. There are few ways to get water out.
The first and recommended method is to drain the fuel into another holding tank and clean the tank.
If you transfer the contents of your heating oil tank into a transparent holding tank, you will see that the water will separate immediately from the bottom of the oil tank.
Then you can filter usable oil into your cleaned oil tank and leave the remaining water and sludge in the holding tank.
If the fuel is not clean for filtering using a 10 micron filter then replace or clean the oil filter, clean the fuel line from water. Then bleed the boiler and boiler the should be working again.
The second option is to use a long pipe which reaches into the bottom of the fuel tank and pump any water out from the oil tank; making sure not to take all of the fuel out.
When you start to see clean oil it means that the majority of water has been pumped out.
This method will not assure that all sludge has gone but the heating oil system should work anyway. This method has few things to pay attention to when pumping. Such as what angle the fuel tank sits on, how high and where is the fuel draw point and what equipment should be used.
Not all heating oil tanks can be cleaned with this method.
To find out more about our oil tank services, please continue reading below or contact us on 0800 799 9739
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Water Removal From Oil Tanks by LV Fuel Services
As professionals in oil tank services and water removal from oil tanks, our OFTEC trained team use a range of oil tank processes.
At LV Fuel Services, we will carry out a full review and analysis before taking action on water removal.
Get in touch with us today, to see how we can help you.
We also serve nationwide.
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