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Central Illinois Manufacturing Company Rev A March 2006
Phase Separation Guidelines
•
Ethanol-compatible water detecting paste should be used to test your
tank for Phase Separation.
•
During the first 48 hours from conversion, the tank should be tested at
regular intervals.
•
Immediately stop the sale of the product if a phase separated layer is de-
tected.
•
Check product quality at the nozzle for clarity. Hazy or cloudy product
indicates the presence of a phase separated layer.
•
Determine if water has leaked into the tank or if a recent delivery was
contaminated.
•
Immediately call your fuel supplier to analyze the fuel and take appropri-
ate steps to reblend the ethanol and gasoline to the correct octane lev-
els.
•
Pump off the phase separated layer and dispose of the product in accor-
dance with local, state, or federal regulations.
•
Deliver sufficient enriched ethanol-blended gasoline so as to fill the tank
to 90% of capacity and to the right octane level. This will minimize the
effect of any residual water.
•
Install new Bio-Tek
®
Alcohol Monitor Filters.
•
When delivery is complete, purge all island pumps until the product is
clear. After gasoline from all dispensers is checked and found to be
clear, the product may be sold.
•
If there is a Bio-Tek
®
Alcohol Monitor filter installed and the fuel flow
“Storage tanks
that were lined
with epoxy or
polyester
coatings before
1980 may not be
suitable for
ethanol-gasoline
blends.”
Remove water BEFORE it becomes a problem!
Design and follow a Daily Maintenance Program
Equipment & Tank Construction
For Ethanol Blends up to E10
Equipment such as nozzles, hoses, and meter seals have long been compatible with gaso-
line-ethanol blends and it is unlikely that they would need modification. Very old submersi-
ble pumps could require replacement of impellers or seals. Although this is rare, if any
doubt exists as to the compatibility of these units, the manufacturer should be consulted.
Determine the type of tank that will be used for storage of the ethanol-gasoline blend. Mild
steel tanks are completely satisfactory. Fiberglass tanks manufactured by Containment
Solutions, Inc.
®
and by Xerxes
®
Corporation carry the same standard warranty for 10%
ethanol blends as for gasoline. To be sure, contact your tank manufacturer.
Storage tanks that were lined with epoxy or polyester coatings before 1980 may not be
suitable for ethanol-gasoline blends. Since 1980 several satisfactory linings have been de-
veloped. If there is any uncertainty about the age and type of lining, contact the lining
manufacturer before conversion to the ethanol blend.
www.containmentsolutions
.
com
Containment
Solutions Inc.
®
recommendations
for Ethanol
Storage
Online at:
www.eere.
energy.gov/afdc/
e85toolkit/
conversions.html
Owens-Corning
®
Fiberglass
Corporation before December-1994
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Central Illinois Manufacturing Company Rev A March 2006
Check your tank and equipment!
Make sure it is suitable for Ethanol Blends!
“A tank with a
history of water
and contaminants
is certain to
present problems
when an ethanol
blend is
introduced
.”
“It is very
important that
you clean your
tank.”
Tank Evaluation
For Ethanol Blends up to E10
Since ethanol blends will scour contaminants from the sidewalls and the bottom of the stor-
age tank, it is strongly recommended that a high-performance dispenser filter be used. The
storage tank can accumulate a large amount of particulates that are typically mixed with wa-
ter. Normal dispenser filters will prevent contaminants from reaching the customer’s fuel
tank, but they will not detect Phase Separation. It is essential that all water is out of the tank
and recontamination does not occur before or after adding an ethanol blend to the tank.
There are many ways for water to contaminate the tank:
•
water accumulation around the fill gauge manhole
•
secondary containment submersible pump pits
•
faulty gaskets
•
loose fill caps
•
leaky fittings
•
a leak in the tank.
Most tank gauging systems are not effective at measuring water below ¾ of an inch. Re-
moval of tank bottom water and contaminants is recommended before introducing an etha-
nol blend. Most tanks are equipped with ½ inch thick gauge plates under the tank openings.
This construction can mask as much as ten gallons of water in tank bottoms. Tank tilt can
also mask significant quantities of water. You must sample your tank.
The worst enemy of ethanol blends is water. Depending on the temperature of the fuel, as
little as 0.3% water can cause Phase Separation. A tank with a history of bottom water con-
tamination is certain to present problems unless the cause of water buildup is addressed.
Tanks must be prepared by taking steps to keep ground water from accumulating around
the fill, gauge and submersible pump pits. All tanks must be water-tight prior to conver-
sion.
Preparing for First Delivery
“Install Bio-Tek
®
Alcohol Monitor
filters upon
introduction of
an ethanol blend
into your tank.
Use phase
detecting paste
such as: Sar-Gel
®
Indicator Past or
Gasiola
®
All-
Purpose Water
Finding Paste to
check for Phase
Separation.”
Recommended Housekeeping Procedures
For Ethanol Blends up to E10
•
Keep fill caps secure at all times.
•
Respond to any customer complaints immediately by checking for
Phase Separation.
•
Monitor the dispenser for good flow.
•
Change Bio-Tek
®
Alcohol Monitor filters when flow is restricted and
check for phase separation. Contaminants and Phase Separation can
both contribute to filter clogging.
•
Always keep extra Bio-Tek
®
Alcohol Monitor filters on hand.
•
Monitor fill opening and driveway covers for standing water. Correct this
problem immediately.
(Continued on page 7)
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7
Central Illinois Manufacturing Company Rev A March 2006
“Conventional
water finder
paste and water
detection filters
will not detect the
phase separated
bottom layer
quickly enough to
prevent problems.
Special phase
detection paste
and monitor
filters are
recommended.”
“The Cim-Tek
®
Cim-
Cart IV
contaminant
removal system is a
valuable tool to
remove tank bottom
contaminants. It
snakes along the
bottom of the tank
removing bottom
water contamination
while the station is
in operation.”
For more information about the Cim-Cart IV
please call Cim-Tek
®
customer service at 888.898.7187
or visit www.cim-tek.com to view a demonstration video.
For Ethanol Blends up to E10
It is very important that you clean your tank and take samples.
Older tanks or tanks that are not equipped with pressure vents may
require special cleaning. The Cim-Tek
®
Cim-Cart IV contaminant
removal system removes water and contaminants from the bottom
of the tank. It snakes along the bottom of the tank removing water
and particulates while the station is in operation. There are some
cases where another method of cleaning may be required. Please
contact Central Illinois Manufacturing Company for more informa-
tion.
•
Clear snow buildup to prevent melting snow from leaking into the fill
opening.
•
Monitor for Phase Separation with ethanol compatible detection paste.
If a layer is detected, follow the recommended “Phase Separation
Guidelines”.
•
Take regular tank samples. Remember tank tilt and tank gauge plates
can mask water.
•
Remember that most tank gauging systems may not be effective at
measuring water below 3/4 of an inch.
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8
Central Illinois Manufacturing Company Rev A March 2006
Bio-Tek
®
Alcohol
Monitor filters,
with high-
performance
filtration
technology,
filter particulates
while monitoring
for Phase
Separation.
“The potential
for phase
separation
requires that
gasoline
oxygenated with
ethanol not be
exposed to water
during
distribution or
use in a vehicle.”
“Regular water
detecting filters
or “water slugs”
will not detect
Phase
Separation.”
Bio-Tek
®
300 Series
Alcohol Monitors
70116 300MB-05
70122 300MB-10
70018 300MB-30
Bio-Tek
®
400 Series
Alcohol Monitors
70114 400MB-05
70120 400MB-10
70106 400MB-30
First Delivery
For Ethanol Blends up to E10
When the initial load arrives, follow normal delivery procedures. Take stick and pump read-
ings for an accurate inventory record. After the initial delivery, it is recommended that op-
erators dispense a few gallons of product through each dispenser to ensure the product is
clear.
The best defense for preventing Phase Separation is implementing a daily maintenance
routine. Installing Bio-Tek
®
Alcohol Monitor filters upon the introduction of an ethanol blend
into your tank is strongly recommended. The Alcohol Monitor will filter out the contami-
nants while monitoring for Phase Separation. Once the Bio-Tek
®
Alcohol Monitor detects
Phase Separation, it will restrict the flow signaling the station operator. Use ethanol com-
patible phase detecting paste such as Sar-Gel
®
Indicator Paste or Gasoila
®
All-Purpose
Water Finding Paste to check for Phase Separation. Make sure to discard any paste that
will not allow you to detect Phase Separation.
(Continued on page 9)
•
Upon the introduction of an ethanol blend, immediately check for Phase
Separation.
•
For the first 48 hours of ethanol in the tank, check for Phase Separation
every few hours.
•
Install Bio-Tek
®
Alcohol Monitor filters.
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9
Central Illinois Manufacturing Company Rev A March 2006
Why recommend High-Performance Filtration?
As previously mentioned, ethanol will scour and release a higher than usual amount of
contaminants into the fuel. Bio-Tek
®
filters and Alcohol Monitors utilize a microglass ele-
ment instead of a cellulose media. When compared to cellulose, High-Performance Micro-
glass media has a higher dirt-holding capacity resulting in a longer filter life. The fully
pleated High-Performance Microglass media provides flow rates up to 25 GPM and a
maximum working pressure of 50 PSI. Cim-Tek Filtration offers a variety of microglass me-
dia in 1 to 30 micron efficiency ratings for High-Performance Filtration. Bio-Tek Alcohol
Monitor filters are recognized by Underwriters Laboratories for use in service station
pumps and dispensers.
Summary
The demand of ethanol-blended gasoline is growing rapidly across the United
States. Alternative fuel sources are here to stay so it is very important to know how
to prepare and maintain the site for introduction of ethanol-blended gasoline. Make
sure that the storage tank and its components are compatible with ethanol. Ethanol
has a scouring effect and will break loose any particulates in the lines and on the
tank. To prepare the tank clean it thoroughly and make sure it is free of water. Use
the proper tools such as an ethanol-compatible water-finding paste and Bio-Tek
®
Alcohol Monitors to filter contaminants and monitor the tank for Phase Separation.
Check the fuel several times for the first 48 hours to be sure there is no Phase Sepa-
ration. Modify your current daily maintenance program to include daily samples,
checking the filters, and sticking the tank to monitor for Phase Separation. If Phase
Separation is suspected, immediately test the fuel and take the proper steps listed
in the “Phase Separation Guidelines.” Proper planning and good housekeeping
are essential for an efficient, trouble-free conversion and continued cus-
tomer satisfaction.
Large Fibers
Glass Fibers, Small & Rigid
Microglass Media
Cellulose Media
•
Low Void Area
•
Not suitable for fine filtration
•
High Void Area
•
Suitable for fine filtration
vs.
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10
Central Illinois Manufacturing Company Rev A March 2006
Service Station Conversion Checklist
Preparation for Conversion
Is the tank constructed of ethanol compatible materials?
Are the other fuel delivery system components compatible with
ethanol?
Nozzles Meters
Hoses Seals
Tank Evaluation
Does the site have a history of water contamination?
Check possible entry points.
Fill Gauge Fill caps
Submersible pump pits Fittings
Gaskets Standing water
Have samples been taken from the tank?
Prior to First Delivery
Has the tank been properly cleaned?
Has all water been removed from the tank?
Do you have ethanol-compatible water-finding paste?
Do you have a sufficient amount of ethanol compatible filters?
70018 300MB-05 70114 400MB-05
70120 300MB-10 70120 400MB-10
70116 300MB-30 70106 400MB-30
Do you have the proper decals ready to put into place?
First Delivery
Has the tank fuel level been lowered to near minimum levels?
After delivery, check the tank for Phase Separation with ethanol
compatible water-sensitive paste several times for the first 48
hours, daily thereafter.
Install Bio-Tek
®
Alcohol Monitor filters upon the first delivery of
the ethanol-blended gasoline.
Have you flushed the sample delivery lines until product is clear?
Have you put on the proper decals?
Documents you may be interested
Documents you may be interested
