Question about old heating oil tank

Posted by on November 4, 2008, 7:43 pm

On Tue, 04 Nov 2008 15:18:47 -0500, .p.jm@see_my_sig_for_address.com
wrote:

>wrote:

>>> I've been pouring a gallon of alcohol into the tank every year for the past

10 years just to

>>> > help keep it clean and get rid of any condensation.

>>What does that do?
>>Besides getting the tank tanked..
>>How does it get rid of the water?
>>Mark

> It doesn't. He thinking 'alcohol is hygroscopic, and will
>bind the water, causing it to 'mix in' and be removed in normal use',
>but he's reading far to much into how it will act in a fuel tank. He
>doesn't understand the effect of specific gravity in a static
>container. Or that vapor pressure will have a minimal effect.

Actually it can help
Hy-Dro-Sol is 2-BUTOXYETHANOL whith is a butyl ether of Ethelene
Glycol.
FreeFlo is Methanol
TriPak fuel oil conditioner contains Isobutyl alcohol.
Alken EvenFlo 905 contains ethanol and Isopropyl alcohol.

There are definitely products out there that will work better than
straight hooch, and a 2 line system with a deisel engine fuel filter
with water trap (drained regularly) will do a lot more good than just
additives - and a lot better than a standard furnace oil filter.

Posted by JohnnyK15 on November 26, 2008, 3:38 pm

JohnnyK15 had written this in response to
http://www.thestuccocompany.com/hvac/Question-about-old-heating-oil-tank-35252-.htm
:
There are many fuel oil dealers who can perform an ultrasonic thickness
test (with an EPA approved technology) on your oil tank for internal
corrosion. Visit http://www.tanksure.com/welcome/homeowners/index.asp and
click on your state to see who in your area offers the test and
inspection. If you get the tank tested at the time of a tune-up, it will
usually only cost about $40 - $50. The TankSure Program's purpose is a
long-term proactive replacement program. During the initial inspection the
technician can determine if your tank is in need of immediate replacement,
if it qualifies for a $1000 replacement payment (some companies offer a
higher payment), or if there are certain upgrades you should consider
before you qualify for the replacement payment (e.g. improper fill or vent
size). The tank would then be subsequently tested on an annual basis (so
long as you get a tune-up annually) and the thickness measurements are
analyzed to see how quickly your tank is corroding and by how much. If at
anytime while you are on the program the software indicates you need a new
tank, the company would tell you that you have been flagged for
replacement and also give you the replacement payment towards a new tank.
The initial inspection is not the "silver bullet" to determine if your
tank is in sound condition, however, you're covered by the replacement
payment even if your tank starts to leak.

If your tank starts to leak, there is also a magnet patch that dealers can
put in certain areas as a temporary fix, but you should replace your tank
before your next fuel delivery. If a tank starts leaking at a seam then a
magnet patch wouldn't work.

I have more information regarding the TankSure Program if you are
interested then please let me know and I live in Massachusetts. In many
states you can now obtain a discount on your homeowner's insurance for
having the test and inspection (in most cases covers the cost of the
test).

-Jon

-------------------------------------
Logic316 wrote:

> My heating oil tank is pretty old, and is located in my basement. I
> have no
> idea how much rust might be inside it. Is there any way to gauge it's
> structural integrity and approximate remaining lifespan? And should it
> spring a leak one day, is there any trick for quickly patching an oil
> leak
> just until a new tank can be installed? They say that with leaky
> automobile
> gas tanks, you can rub a bar of soap into the hole and it would hold
> for a
> while, would that work?

> - Logic316

> "Science is not a sacred cow. Science is a horse. Don't worship
> it. Feed
> it."

##-----------------------------------------------##
Delivered via
http://www.thestuccocompany.com/
Building Construction and Maintenance Forum
Web
and RSS access to your favorite newsgroup -
alt.home.repair,alt.hvac -
messages and counting!
##-----------------------------------------------##

Page 12 of 12 << first < 1 2 3

Similar Threads	Posted
heating system question	April 6, 2007, 2:55 pm
Question for limit switch-heating	November 9, 2008, 8:33 pm
question regarding circulating pump for hot water heating	November 7, 2007, 12:32 pm
Oil tank heater	May 5, 2007, 4:44 am
Do I need an expansion tank?	July 19, 2007, 11:35 pm
Small 'Alternative' Expansion Tank?	October 17, 2007, 10:57 pm
install of Smart DHW tank to IBC boiler help	December 5, 2008, 11:57 pm
Insulating cold water pipes & supply tank to prevent condensation	June 7, 2007, 8:18 am
AC/HEating Questions	July 2, 2006, 9:31 am
Oil vs gas water heating	July 12, 2006, 2:18 pm

Question about old heating oil tank - Page 12