Diesel Tanks
Diesel storage for resorts, power houses and commercial sites. We build new tanks, maintain existing ones, and supply the systems that move the fuel and measure what is in the tank.
What we do with diesel tanks
- New tank fabrication, delivery and installation
- Bunded and double wall tanks, so a leak is contained
- Underground tanks
- Skid mounted tanks, built on their own frame
- Cleaning and sludge removal
- Blast cleaning to Sa 2½ and protective coating, inside and out
- Repair of leaks, damaged welds and corroded plate
- Hydrostatic and pressure testing
- Calibration and calibration charts
- Digital level monitoring, supplied and installed
- Fuel distribution systems — pumps and pipework
Sludge and water at the bottom
Diesel sitting in a tank for a long time collects water and sludge at the bottom. It is the most common problem we are called out for. Left alone it corrodes the tank floor from the inside and can reach the generators. Cleaning and sludge removal is usually straightforward, and far cheaper than replacing a tank floor.
The water does not usually come from the fuel. It condenses out of the air the tank breathes in as the level falls, which in a humid climate happens every day. That is why drawing water off the drain point regularly matters more here than it does in a dry country.
Containing a spill
A diesel spill on an island is difficult and expensive to deal with, and in a plant room it is a fire risk as well as a mess. A bunded tank holds any leak in the space between its two shells, so nothing reaches the floor or the ground. On a new tank we would normally recommend it, and we will quote both ways so you can see what the difference costs.
Knowing what is actually in the tank
Many sites still measure fuel with a dip stick and an estimate. We supply and install digital level monitoring so the reading is accurate, and we can prepare a calibration chart so a measured depth converts correctly into litres.
Work we have completed
We maintained two 200,000 litre diesel tanks at a resort in South Malé Atoll, covering sandblasting, tinkering, sludge removal and protective coating.
Work out a capacity
Tank capacity calculator
Enter the inside dimensions and the drawing redraws to scale as you type. Works in metric or imperial, and will tell you the volume at any dip depth as well as the full capacity.
Converting a dip reading into litres is exactly what a calibration chart does. We prepare them from the tank's own measured dimensions.
- — cubic metres
- — imperial gallons
- — US gallons
- — cubic feet
These are gross internal figures worked out from the dimensions you entered, with no allowance for internal fittings. A real tank holds a little less, and is never filled to the very top. Surface area is the shell and the ends, which is what coating is applied to. Final capacity, plate thickness and coating quantity are confirmed on the drawings.
Make a dip chart for this tank depth against litres, ready to print
Common questions
Can the tank stay in service while you work?
Internal work needs the tank emptied and ventilated. Some external work can be done while the tank is in use. We plan the sequence with your engineer so downtime lands when it suits your operation.
How often should a diesel tank be cleaned?
It depends on how much water gets in and how fast the fuel turns over. We can inspect and advise rather than guess.
Do you build bunded diesel tanks?
Yes. A bunded tank has a second outer shell that catches a leak from the inner one. We recommend it for fuel and will quote it either way.
Can the tank be buried?
Yes, we build and install underground tanks. A buried tank needs holding down against groundwater and a heavier external coating. We will advise whether it suits your site.
Do you supply the pumps and pipework as well?
Yes. Fuel distribution systems are our own work, not subcontracted.