MTC Tank Cleaning Tips

Tank cleaning jobs come in many different flavors. Tank sizes, condition of the fuel, amount of contaminant build up and tank access change from tank to tank. Training, practice and experience are important to do the job effectively and as efficient as possible. It will help to minimize time on the job and consumables used to realize the best possible results for your customers.

Step 1) Preparations before processing the fuel:
- First, we need to know what is in the tank. Start with taking a sufficiently large before sample from the bottom of the tank at the deepest spot and "stick" the tank with Kolor Kut water finding paste. This will give you an indication of how much sludge and water are in the tank. The sample might range from “clear & bright” to “dark & hazy”. Enter the results into the tank cleaning log that is kept and updated during the procedure

- Depending on the type and amount of contaminant, determine if you need to use the basket strainer assembly and/or slop tank

- Verify that MTC suction and discharge hoses are connected to correct tank

- Make photographs of the work situation, tank and equipment setup as well as the suction and
discharge connections to the tanks

- Keep a log on every job to record flow rates, times, amounts of fuel processed, sediment and water separated into the slop tank, filters changed, etc.

Caution: Carefully remove water and sediment from the tank without dispersing it into the cleaner fuel on top. Doing this slowly and carefully will make the job much easier and less time-consuming. It will prevent creating the so called “Milk Shake” effect. In addition, it will require fewer filters elements to restore fuel quality to its pristine “clear and bright” condition. Depending on the amount of contaminant, you may want to first store the water and sludge into your slop tank - using a TK or separate system instead of the MTC.

Comparing the "before" sample with a sample after finishing the job is important. It will enable you to demonstrate to your customers what you have done for them.

Step 2) The Tank Cleaning Process
Attach a straight piece of pipe with a minimum ID that matches the suction hose ID to the end of the suction hose of the MTC. (PVC or steel - not included) Cut the end of the pipe at an angle to not block the flow. This will allow you getting to the deepest spot in the bottom of the tank to remove water and sludge. In this stage, do not put the discharge hose back into the tank - but first pump the debris into a separate (see-through) container/slop tank. At the end of the tank cleaning, when this batch has settled, recover the fuel portion from the slop tank using the MTC to pump it back into the customer’s tank. This minimizes the waste and leaves only the concentrated solids and water for disposal.

At the start of the tank cleaning process, while removing water & sludge, run the MTC pump only for a few seconds. Then stop the pump and drain the separator. Repeat this until there is hardly any water and sludge coming out when opening the separator drain-valve. Cleaning a tank with a significant amount of sludge requires that we frequently stop the pump and drain the separator to prevent clogging the screen strainer that protects the pump.

Do not use any attachments on the suction hose that have a smaller ID than the suction hose – this will put excessive stress on the pump and may shorten pump life dramatically.

Step 3) The fuel dialyses process:
After you removing water and sediment, you put the MTC discharge hose into the tank and start the fuel dialyses process. Monitor the fuel in the clear suction hose and what is drained from the separator. Log flow and amount of fuel processed. Your digital flow meter will measure the amount of fuel run through the system. Check and drain the coalescer frequently and check the pump strainer from time to time. Turn over all of the fuel in the tank as often as necessary but at least one time.

Step 4) Switch to port three:
When there is no more noticeable debris coming from the separator, it is time to switch the discharge hose to the MTC filter port. Then continue the fuel dialyses process incorporating a fine filter, using increasingly smaller micron size elements. Finish the fuel restoration and tank cleaning process using a WB-3 Water Block fine filter. This also removes emulsified water, free water and particulate down to 3 micron.

Step 5) Add AFC-705 Fuel Catalyst to the tank, when the gauge on the first spin-on fine filter is almost in the red area. Do not yet replace the filter. After adding a double dose of AFC (1:2500 or 1 gal AFC-705 for 2500 gal of fuel) restart the pump and continue processing the fuel while monitoring the filter gauge. Usually, the gauge will slightly back off and then slowly get into the red area. Then change the filter. (AFC-705 Fuel Catalyst can be added directly into the tank or by pouring it into the separator)

AFC-705 is an integral part of tank cleaning. It accelerates the fuel cleaning and stabilization process. And, after you have gone home, the AFC will continue to work on all those difficult to reach areas behind baffles, on walls and other difficult spots in the tank.

The sample you take at the end of the job and the one you took in the beginning will be like day and night ... always impressive when showing the customer.

When the job is finished make sure to take and store a significant sample (half a gallon) Your tank cleaning log, properly labeled and photographed Liqui Cult tests vials and before and after samples are excellent material for your customer report. They also work well as referral sales tools.

Separately attached is a list for spare parts, replacement filters and accessories