Gas Stations
Revision at filling stations
Clean tanks and tank shafts are essential for ensuring product quality and safety. Many filling stations are over 30 years old. Modern fuels today often contain bio-components such as ethanol and bio-diesel. Water (condensation water) mixes quickly with these substances, with the exception of “Unleaded 98”.
Common problem areas and causes:
- Conversion and renovation of coverings
- Signs of ageing in manhole covers
- Water ingress into the shaft or contamination of the spaces between the shaft and inner shaft
- Damage to the cable or pipe penetrations in the inner duct
- Corrosion on pipes or their screw connections (fittings)
- Missing or damaged caps, for example on the filling or measuring rod lines
The actual tank cleaning is only part of the maintenance; the critical zones are the manholes, their covers and the internal manhole elements. Anyone who intends to 20 years To continue distributing fuel, this infrastructure must be kept in perfect condition. The potential consequential costs of neglect – such as engine damage at the end customer – can exceed regular maintenance costs many times over.
The tank inspection with internal cleaning every ten years is of great benefit in any case (an exception may be lead-free 98).
Temperature fluctuations cause condensation to form inside the tank, which combines with very fine particles at the bottom of the tank. This sludge forms a galvanic element (electrolyte) that triggers corrosion in the tank and thus jeopardizes the long-term tightness of the storage tank. Especially with Diesel oil this sludge can grow into a fungus-like substance, which subsequently Filter blockages on the vehicles.
Focus on filling station infrastructure: For tank systems Special attention on the manhole cover and the inside of the manhole. The combination of penetrating moisture or water with petrol vapors is Extremely corrosive and leads to significant corrosion damage to the infrastructure.
As part of the tank inspection, we not only carry out the environmentally friendly disposal of these deposits, but also check all Safety equipment such as the filling safety device and the vapor recovery valves. Finally, the obligatory Message to the cantonal authorities.
Workflow:
Do you have any questions or would you like a personal consultation? Contact us – together we will find the best solution for you.
Refurbishment
Reasons for refurbishment:
- Underground tanks:A defective double jacket of the tank (alarm message from the leak indicator) is a reason for renovation. Currently, all underground tanks must be double-walled. Corrosion damage is often the cause here, triggered by water in the shaft or age-related damage to the outer wall of the tank. Corrosion inside the tank rarely occurs.
- Cellar tanks:Corrosion on the tank and pipes can be caused by moisture or water ingress.
- Small tank systems:Plastic tanks over 30 years old are particularly affected here, as the long polymer chains of the plastic break due to environmental influences (UV radiation, heat, chemicals) and lead to a loss of strength and embrittlement.
Our refurbishment solutions:
- Underground tanks:Corrosion damage in the shaft can often be repaired by welding holes. However, this requires the tank to be taken out of service beforehand. Holes in the inner or outer shell must be repaired by means of coating, a tank-in-tank system or an inner tank shell.
- Cellar tanks:The cause of the damage must be localized first and foremost. Corrosion damage can usually be repaired by removing the rust, grinding, cleaning and then coating. In the case of deposits or tank saddles, a replacement solution must be tested.
- Small tank systems:The simplest and most cost-effective solution is to install a new plastic tank.
Do you have any questions or would you like a personal consultation? Contact us now – together we will find the best solution for you.
New tank system
The construction of new tank facilities requires detailed and careful planning. We use our expertise to guide you through the entire process: from the initial analysis of requirements and the necessary clarifications (geology, water protection) to the planning and execution of the construction work. Regardless of whether it is a roadside filling station, a works filling station for trucks or a filling station for snow groomers on 2’000 meters height – we develop a customized solution for every project. We carry out the construction according to your individual specifications.
Do you have any questions or would you like a personal consultation? Contact us – together we will find the best solution for you.
Decommissioning
Due to the risk of explosion, the professional decommissioning of gasoline tanks may only be carried out by specially qualified specialists. This provision applies to all officially authorized tanks in which water-polluting liquids are stored.
Process steps during decommissioning:
- Controlled flaring of residual gases using a Tarrei burner
- Removal of residual oil and sludge from the tank
- Flushing the product lines with nitrogen or water
- For double-walled tanks with liquid monitoring: removal and environmentally friendly disposal of the antifreeze from the double jacket
- Ensure that the tank cannot be filled by mistake (blinding of the filler neck, similar to a seal).
- Formal deregistration of the tank with the responsible authorities
Do you have any questions or would you like a personal consultation? Contact us now – together we will find the best solution for you.
Frequently asked questions
When is a tank inspection with internal cleaning recommended?
We recommend that you overhaul a heating oil tank every ten years, including internal cleaning.
Where can the date of the last revision be viewed?
The date of the last work carried out can be found on the sticker attached to the tank compartment door.
Are there additional costs for a tank overhaul in winter?
No. We will provide you with a provisional heating system free of charge, provisional oil feed for the heating.
I have only recently filled the tank. What is the maximum amount of oil that can be removed without additional costs?
The maximum quantity that can be removed free of charge is 15,000 liters. However, it is essential that we receive detailed information about your stock so that we can plan the correct tank trailer for temporary storage. The simplest method of measurement is to use the dipstick.
