Grounding Dockside AC powered pump for Diesel Fuel polishing

[jssailem]

Have 150 gallons of fuel in two tanks that I believe has the pox of diesel fuel critters. Age of fuel is unknown, likely more than 2 years. So filtering the critters is planned. Knowing this is a first time event for me I've been researching ideas. Have located a pump and filter system manufacture identified for use with oils and hydraulic fluids. Diesel not mentioned as US manufacture did not file for EPA/etc permits.

Ideas solicited from this boat experienced crowd. What are your thoughts?

Planned System would provide 7 gpm flow that will in 1.5 hours cycle the fuel in one tank 6 times (includes anticipated set-up, monitoring, 3 plus filter changes). Sure there would be changing filters but should get at least an 80% polish on the fuel. Likely could induce air into the fuel, an issue and concern. Need for fire extinguishers, and fuel spill planning. What else am I missing?

Grounding questions. Wires connecting pump - nozzle/fuel filler wand - fuel tank. (what else). Tanks located in boat. Thinking to use fuel level sender opening to withdraw and return fuel to tank. (about 2" hole in tank top) Could also run hose into deck fill access.
Thoughts regarding protecting against static charge buildup?

Alternative is to pay a guy $900 to come out and do the task.

 

[alexco38]

I had one installed on the boat permanently. Turn a few valves and it filters my fuel when I am at the dock.

 

[jssailem]

Alex, thinking the same way for long term.
First I need to address the fuel in the tanks. At $2.00 per gallon that is at least $300 of fuel. Already went out on boat and had fuel filter clog that left me without an engine to return to dock. Solved that issue.

Also had a "I'm not starting for you today!" discussion with the engine, resolved by clearing the gunk from the pick up tube in the fuel tank. So issue is within the tanks and I trying to play catch up.

 

[Bill Roosa]

two thoughts; kill the critters with a diesel additive, then use polishing to remove the dead critters from the tank and install a day tank concept system to insure all fuel entering the engine (filter-injection pump-day tank) is polished. to wit:
http://www.gulfcoastfilters.com/fuel_polishing.htm scroll down to "day tank"
Basically the day tank provides a closed loop (day tank and engine) that continuously polishes the fuel. Given that the day tank will suffer from the same problems as the main tank there is really no advantage to a dedicated day tank for "small" (size does matter ;-) ) main tank like yours. Just use the day tank concept for you main tank. Sooooo the pump polishes the fuel in the main tank all the time and the engine fuel pump "sips" off the polishing filter as it needs.
main tank to polishing (electric) pump, polishing filter to tee. One side of the tee returns to the main tank and the other goes to the engine fuel pump. The polishing pump needs to be controllable from the helm or nav panel (I'm thinking helm is more convenient) so you can polish when you want while connected to shore power. Us a 12 volt pump and draw off the ship main 12 volt power. The battery charger will keep the batts charged.
good luck and lets see some pics of the final solution.

 

[Gunni]

Fuel polishing may work to maintain good fuel stored long term but that does not appear to be your problem, you have a tank with a lot of old neglected fuel and enough sludge that it is clogging filters. You can filter and filter it until the cows come home, but you still have sludge on the bottom and who-knows-what growing on the tank baffles. I would begin with a fuel sample sent to one of the fuel labs, test under the stand-by generator protocol that will help you determine the state of the fuel (cetan, flash point, bio-growth, corrosivity, water content,etc). Then get yourself 4, 55 gal. Fuel drums from a local fuel distributor (ask for re-conditioned drums), find a 12 vdc fuel transfer pump and pump all fuel to the drums using ship's battery. If you work with a fuels blender you may find one who will do the transfer as part of hauling the marginal fuel off and you can forget about temporary storage. Open the tank, inspect and clean. With a clean tank you may just need a biocide treatment, filtration and addition of cetan booster for the fuel.

 

[Ron20324]

I just had my tank and fuel scrubbed last week. $325 flat rate for my 14 gallon tank. Included 2 guys and travel from Glen Burnie. He ran it 1.5 hours through a 5 mic fillter. Drained the bottom of his filter and yeah, there were several layers of stuff settleing to the bottom. He sprayed the tank with return fuel as he sucked.