New fuel tank project.

[ToadHill]

I've been looking for a bulk tank for fuel for some time and last week my son who works for a distributer of oil products said he could get me a tank.

I went to pick it up and it is a 350 gallon white plastic tank that had 80-90 gear lube in it. It has a ball valve on the bottom, and is encased in a tube steel cage.

My next project is to clean out the last gallon or so of lube and figure how to mount this high enough that I don't need a pump to get the fuel out of it.

Does anyone have a setup similar and if so how did you solve the problem of weight. My guess is that 350 gallons of fuel will weigh about 3000 lbs.

 

[patrick_g]

My guess is that 350 gallons of fuel will weigh about 3000 lbs.

Diesel fuel varies in weight from summer to winter but typical values are 6.951lbs/gal (API 38) and 7.076 lbs/gal (API 35). (API is American Petroleum Institute)

So 350 gal is under 2500 lbs, worst case.

Pat

 

[geobar]

Is it really necessary to clean out a gallon of gear oil that will be diluted with 300+ gallons of diesel? I might not go through that work or expense but just add a little more Power Service that you will need over the winter anyway.

 

[patrick_g]

Is it really necessary to clean out a gallon of gear oil that will be diluted with 300+ gallons of diesel? I might not go through that work or expense but just add a little more Power Service that you will need over the winter anyway.

Probably not if you can ensure it is well mixed but why not pour it out and use it for what it is? Those tanks are not so heavy as to be too difficult to maneuver for draining.

I sure wouldn't waste much $ on solvents or anything to clean out a gallon since it would be less than 1/3 of one percent by volume if the tank were filled with diesel. I repeat for emphasis: IF you remember to stir it up to distribute the oil.

Pat