CA Gasohol
Advisory
April
3, 2000
To
Whom It May Concern:
Subject:
California Ethanol Advisory; March 2000
The
California State Water Resources Control Board has addressed possible piping
system component problems when they are converted to ethanol blended fuel
systems.
It
is stated on VMI brochures that our leak detectors and overfill protection
valves are compatible with:
Gasoline, 100% methanol, 100% ethanol, up to 15% MTBE
Any combination of the above
#1 or #2 diesel, kerosene, Jet A or JP 4
The
Vaporless Manufacturing, Inc. warranty covers these fuels.
It
should be noted that, although the component materials used in VMI products are
compatible with ethanol, the introduction of ethanol into storage tanks will
result in particles, contaminants, and debris being pumped throughout the piping
and dispensing system.
As taken from Storage Procedures for ADM Ethanol “ethanol will loosen
rust, varnish and gums from previously used tanks, it is important to clean all
loose material from the tank before filling” and “it is important that the
tank be clean
and dry.” and “Install an 40 to 80 mesh screen filter in
the transfer line from the tank.”
From Other Advance Preparations “Because ethanol blends soften the gum
and varnish that is holding rust to the inside of the storage tank, it is
mandatory to use dispenser filters.”
While it
seems obvious, Vaporless Manufacturing, Inc. needs to caution and advise
customers of the following:
Vaporless Manufacturing, Inc. equipment is and has been very long lived in
normal field applications. Exposure
to some particulates is normal and unavoidable. Any tank system that has abnormal particulate levels, as
determined by the manufacturer, constitutes improper installation, misuse, and
or abuse of the equipment and is grounds to consider the warranty null and void.
This
clarification stands and always has been a part of our warranty consideration no
matter what fuel our equipment is used with.
VMI
urges tank owners to be fully aware of the different aspects of distributing
ethanol fuels and to start with a clean
and dry tank.
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