Gas Station Underground Fuel Tanks

Any storage system used to contain flammable fuel can be referred to as a fuel tank but this term usually means the part of an engine system of any kind that stores fuel and either propels it through a fuel pump or releases it through a pressurized gas system.

Gas station underground fuel tanks.

There are at least two of these tanks per station and each tank usually holds a different grade of gas. If the gas must get to a dispenser and your car s gas tank located above ground it has to defy gravity in order to get there like a waterfall flowing uphill. The tank system includes the tank underground connected piping underground ancillary equipment and any containment system. Underground storage tanks fall into four different types.

If one component of a system is damaged compatibility with other components can be affected. Fuel dispensers underground storage tank monitoring systems and point of sale systems are closely integrated and reliant on each other for the station to function. Fiberglass tanks are not vulnerable to problems inherent in storing highly corrosive ethanol blended fuels e10 e15 e85 biodiesel fuels and ultra low sulfur diesel ulsd. Links to web pages with more information on specific requirements.

Having the gas tanks underground presents an obvious problem. Airport hydrant fueling systems and ust systems with field constructed tanks are regulated under 40 cfr part 280 subpart k. Steel aluminum tanks made by manufacturers in most states and conforming to standards set by the steel tank institute. An underground storage tank ust system is a tank or a combination of tanks and connected underground piping having at least 10 percent of their combined volume underground.

Typical ust facilities are gas stations convenience stores and other non retail facilities. Fuel station technology is evolving rapidly. Registering and self certifying underground storage tanks how to comply with state requirements to self certify underground storage tanks that hold motor fuels.