Granby Industries
EcoGard Tank
When installing new copper fuel lines be
sure to use tubing that is polyethylenecoated
and/or sleeved in protective
tubing if the line will contact dirt or
concrete.
Perform the same test on the new line.
If the line checks out, remove the “plug”
then reconnect the line to the fuel tank
and open the fuel valve.
Be sure that all air has been bled out
of the line.
Let the unit run through several cycles
while you clean the work area and
complete your paperwork.
Alternative To Using The Fuel
Unit To Check Fuel Lines
A vacuum test of the fuel line can also
be performed using a manual vacuum
pump, sometimes referred to as a “pushpull”
pump. Since the check valves on
these pumps often become weak over
time, a ball valve should be threaded into
the suction side internal check valve. If
the hand pump does not have a vacuum
gauge on it, install one in the flare fitting
on the line at the tank.
Then, instead of running the burner to
generate vacuum, simply pull the handle
of the pump until the desired vacuum is
reached and close the ball valve to tightly
close the line. If the vacuum holds for 30
minutes, the fuel line is not leaking.
Cold Temperature
As fuel is chilled below a certain temperature
it becomes cloudy due to the
formation of wax crystals. These crystals
affect the fuel’s ability to flow through
the lines, pass through the filter and
be fully atomized in the nozzle. As the
fuel becomes even colder it begins to
gel, leading to what is commonly called
“frozen” fuel lines.
Free water trapped in fuel lines can also
freeze and clog the fuel line. Outdoor
ASTs with fuel lines that are run from
the bottom of the tank are most susceptible
to icing problems.
It is much easier to prevent frozen lines
than to treat them. There are several
additives available commonly referred
to as ‘cold-flow improvers,” that lower
the temperature at which the fuel in the
tanks and lines “freezes.”
Most of these products do a very good
job of preventing waxing and gelling
problems but are far less effective
when added to a tank that already has
a problem. Two good ways to dispense
these products is to have them automatically
dispensed with each delivery or to
manually add the proper dose to each
tank before delivery. Typically, pouring a
dose into an already frozen tank does not
solve the problem.
Another method of dealing with cold
flow problems is to use kerosene either
instead of, or blended with the fuel.
Kerosene dissolves wax and flows better
in very cold temperatures.
As more and more USTs have been
replaced with outdoor ASTs, cold flow
problems have become more common.
Outside tanks should be encased
in enclosures and exposed fuel lines
should be insulated to protect them
from the elements.
When an outside tank does “freeze”
it’s the service technician’s job to get
the system up and running so the rest of
the house doesn’t also freeze. Once the
technician has determined that the lines
are frozen the following procedures are
recommended:
• Check the tank connection. If the
fuel line is pulled off the bottom
of the tank, reroute the line to pull
through a tapping at the top and
set the line at least 6" off the bottom.
Be sure to fully close and plug
the valve at the tank bottom. Never
assume that the valve is closed. Use
a manual push-pull pump to be
sure the line is clear all the way to
the burner
• Insulate the line from the tank to
the location where it enters the
building
• Advise the customer about the advantages
of a tank enclosure and
encourage them to add one
In addition to frozen lines, cold fuel
causes other problems. Cold fuel
doesn’t atomize well and as its viscosity
increases, more fuel flows through the
nozzle. In areas where outside tanks are
exposed to cold temperatures, it’s advisable
to consider:
• Installing a fuel de-aerator to
warm the fuel before it reaches
the nozzle
• Installing a fuel line heater to
improve combustion
• Inform the customer on the
advantages of an inside tank
A properly installed and maintained
storage tank is an extremely safe and
efficient way to store power.
A full 275-gallon tank holds over 34
million BTUs of potential heat in the
fuel itself. This is equivalent to more
than 11,000 kilowatts of electricity.
All this energy is at the customer's
ready disposal day and night. ICM
Wax crystals forming in the fuel that has been exposed to temperatures well below its cloud point.
ICM/March/April 2021 11