Gasoline storage - how about this?

[Ken73]

I'm putting together a 55 gallon setup for diesel but I'd also like to store gasoline, potentially more than just 55 gallons (more like 2 or 3 barrels) for use in vehicles as well as equipment around the property here. The thing I keep seeing in all the posts is that gasoline becomes very volatile when it has an air space (and can thus ignite easily.) It also needs to be vented so it can expand and contract easily.

What about having a barrier from the gasoline to the air? Like a bladder - so that the gasoline can still expand and contract with temperature changes, but it is physically separated from the air? They sell drum liners that could potentially serve as a bladder (just have to be sure it's compatible with gasoline/ethanol of course.) You'd vent the bladder itself, and the gasoline would be separated from air completely. The bladder is of course (very) flexible.

Thoughts?

 

[hosspuller]

Gasoline vapors in a tank aren't a problem. The vapor in a vessel is above the explosive limit. Meaning that there isn't enough O2 to ignite the vapor. Same as a flooded engine can't ignite the gas in the cylinder.

Storing gasoline is much more difficult than diesel. I've still working through problems of gasoline in a car unused for a year. (clogged injectors, pump, filter, tank gauge, regulator, etc.) PLUS .. the ethanol issue of gasoline... Unless you'll use 150 gallons in a couple of months, don't store it. Here's a link to a discussion .. Gasoline Storage Practices

 

[Ken73]

Part of the idea was to fill them all up, then cycle through them in our two vehicles (instead of going to the gas station.) I can easily go through 150 gallons in a month since we live in "the country" and everything shy of Walmart is 30+ minutes away. If we see a hurricane coming, we get them filled up since we know around here that prices spike, IF you can even get gasoline. That and not having 5 gallon cans all over the place like we do now for all the other stuff (UTV, mower, tiller, edger, etc.) I have to go into town (Houston) a few times a week and having a full tank before I even leave the house every single time would be great. The whole lot would be out by the barn so it wouldn't be near the house at all.

If I keep it all fresh by also using it in the vehicles, then I'd never be storing fuel in 5 gallon cans that could go bad for my other equipment either.

 

[schmism]

Part of the idea was to fill them all up, then cycle through them in our two vehicles (instead of going to the gas station.) I can easily go through 150 gallons in a month since we live in "the country" and everything shy of Walmart is 30+ minutes away.

If thats the case stop trying to cobble together some home DIY solution and just pick up a standard elevated fuel tank that most farms have. I see them on CL all the time. h3ll a brand new 300 gal one goes for about $500 Elevated Fuel Tanks - Dultmeier Sales

Talk to your local supplier who would be delivering the fuel in bulk and see what options they provide.

 

[Ken73]

If thats the case stop trying to cobble together some home DIY solution and just pick up a standard elevated fuel tank that most farms have. I see them on CL all the time. h3ll a brand new 300 gal one goes for about $500 Elevated Fuel Tanks - Dultmeier Sales

Talk to your local supplier who would be delivering the fuel in bulk and see what options they provide.

Oh wow, didn't realize that was an option! $500 for the whole setup doesn't seem too bad at all - but will it hold gasoline? I thought those were for diesel only?

 

[Tractor Seabee]

Most of the smaller tanks (up to 500GL) designed for mounting on a truck are for diesel only and have to have appropriate DOT certification and placarding for such use. Traffic patrols usually will not stop you unless nthey note no Placard on a large tank or stop you for something and start looking for other low hanging fruit revenue makers (especially if you are not courteous). That does not apply to transfer tanks (ones you put in and out like I do). Where you run into problems with site storage is local fire code regs. Those tanks have to have ASME and NFPA certification. At a certain size secondary containment is required (double wall). That varies by state or local jurisdications as well as the enforcement. Your property casualty insurer will probably be more interested in your storage plans than anybody else relative to a farm. In town; stand by for a ram from the gereedy politicians. I get the truck info from a State Trooper friend who does truck enforcement on the state's highways. Hauling a transfer container larger than 5 GL also requires DOT and hazardoua placard to be srtictly legal. Get to know your local law enforcement and fire inspectors and stay out of trouble. Law suits if you are not legal and have an incedent can become exponential in cost.

Ron

 

[lutt]

Oh wow, didn't realize that was an option! $500 for the whole setup doesn't seem too bad at all - but will it hold gasoline? I thought those were for diesel only?

Yes and it will be fine, we kept gas in these type of fuel tanks for years, since there gravity flow,you wont need a pump.Which is great for out of power situations. Both the fuel coops here in town offer these rent free if you buy so much fuel a year from them. LUTT

 

[schmism]

Both the fuel coops here in town offer these rent free if you buy so much fuel a year from them. LUTT

This is why i said check with your local suppler. It was my understanding you could rent one for significant discount and or be supplied one if your purchase per month/year was big enough.

 

[lutt]

This is why i said check with your local suppler. It was my understanding you could rent one for significant discount and or be supplied one if your purchase per month/year was big enough.

Yeah,thats pretty much standard here in our part of the country,I think its a 150 gallon minimum. Which really is not much. LUTT

 

[Gary Fowler]

A steel storage tank designed for flammable liquids can store diesel or gasoline without a problem. As mentioned, you may have to have double containment on the tank OR build a fuel proof berm with a liner to prevent spilled fuel from getting on the ground. The bermed containment area has to be large enough to contain all of the fuel that the tank will hold. Check with your local EPA regulations for these requirements. Theft is your most dangerous problem with outside storage.

 

[sparc]

I think a concrete secondary containment might be better than dealing with a berm and liner and the maintenance required. In either case you have to deal with rainwater accumulation won't you?

I've seen the concrete containment used on jobsites for 500 gal diesel tanks.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Dirt is usually cheaper than concrete for walls. The most expensive part would be the hydrocarbon resistant liner and yes you would need a pipe penetration with valve so you could keep rainwater drained off. This is reason for the double walled tanks so you dont have all the BS to contend with but man are the expensive. Depending on where you are and the size of your storage tank, you may not need a berm or double containment. I would check your local laws and see what is required.

 

[TRR]

As mentioned before, check your local laws. Texas is different than other states. In Texas, with farm plates (and maybe other conditions) a farmer/rancher can move 1,000.00 gallons of fuel over the highways without a CDL license. It's also possible for them to drive a Semi tractor-trailer without a CDL, but it does require a Class A Exempt which is pretty easy to get compared to a Class A CDL. Again, check the local laws.

 

[mrjata]

I have used the bulk fuel storage for gas before. Lost a lot due to evaporation and spoilage. Now, having run a racing fuel business for a few decades, I understand the physics of fuel much better. On our farms, we store gas in 55 gal barrels off the ground on pallets and air tight inside. Every time someone goes to town, we get 2-3 barrels of fuel. Storage is not an issue with the alcohol laced fuels this way. Everyone is worried about the phase separation. This happens if you let the fuel vent and absorb moisture from the air. Hence the sir tight barrels. The alcohol absorbs the moisture, settles out of the fuel, possible issues.

Oh, by the way, if anyone needs a 3,000 gallon steel tank pm me. I have one left.