Best Practices for Storing and Handling Offroad Diesel

Storing offroad diesel fuel is essential for businesses and individuals that require a readily available diesel supply for their industrial equipment, fuel tanks, and machinery. Since searching and visiting fuel stations can waste time and fuel, it is more cost-effective to have diesel delivered to your offroad fuel storage systems regardless of location.

Do you want to know the best practices for storing and handling offroad diesel? Below are six tips to help you get started.

1. Store in a Cool, Dry Location

Keep your stored offroad diesel fuel in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight exposure. The quality and vitality of diesel fuel can diminish if it is exposed to heat or sunlight too frequently. The fuel will contain more water content and particles that limit its ability to provide power to diesel engines.

One ideal location to store offroad diesel is underground. If that is impossible, choose a place with many trees or coverings to block sunlight.

2. Use Additives to Increase Lifespan

Add some quality additives to your stored offroad diesel fuel if you plan to keep it in storage for over a month. The additives contain compounds that help diesel fuel avoid contamination, degradation, and oxidation while it sits in storage. They can even actively kill algae, fungi, bacteria, and other microbes that like to feed off the fuel.

3. Inspect Storage Tanks for Contamination

Do not just leave your diesel fuel in storage without checking it. To ensure your diesel fuel has not suffered contamination, you must periodically check on it to look for signs of excess water or particles. If you see signs of contamination, there are some things you could try to correct the problem without having to replace the diesel fuel entirely.

For instance, you can add an anti-emulsifying additive to prevent increased water content. Another thing you could try is to drain the storage tank and clean it out thoroughly. Sometimes, a dirty tank could contribute to the degradation of the fuel. For this reason, it is best to clean your storage tank at least once every two years.

4. Use Approved Fuel Storage Containers

Always comply with federal, state, and local laws by storing your offroad diesel fuel in approved storage containers. These containers feature the appropriate safety mechanisms and seals to prevent leaks and maintain low internal pressure, especially when exposed to flames.

5. Fire Prevention

Nobody should be smoking around diesel fuel, storage systems, or containers due to the risk of fire and explosion. You should also keep the diesel fuel storage area ventilated and ensure only authorized personnel handle the fuel. Avoid having untrained people handling it.

6. Use within 12 months

You can store offroad diesel fuel for up to 12 months if you have managed to prevent it from degrading. Use the fuel within those 12 months so it does not go to waste. If you create a sufficient fuel storage plan, you should be able to prolong the lifespan of the fuel and use it within 12 months.

I'm Derick Abraham. I'm an entrepreneur based in the United States. I have been in the fuel industry for the last 25 years. I would like to share some of my knowledge and experience with you guys.