Category: News & Updates

Corrosion Prevention

A July 2016 EPA report on corrosion-influencing factors in diesel tanks cited that 83% of the diesel tanks inspected showed moderate to severe signs of corrosion. SafeSite Advanced Filtration Systems are specifically designed to prevent corrosion by eliminating emulsified (or entrained) water in ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) fuel and biodiesel blends.

Removing emulsified water from diesel fuel is critical because water:

• Accelerates microbial growth which degrades the fuel
• Causes pitting of steel pipes and tanks
• Allows acetic acid to form which corrodes tanks, fuel transfer equipment, and internal engine parts
• Increases wear rate and damage to generator fuel injectors

SAE J1488 ver.2010

The testing procedure for this standard determines “the ability of a fuel/water separator to separate emulsified or finely dispersed water from fuels.” The unique DieselPure filtration design used in SafeSite Systems is currently the only technology available that meets the SAE J1488 ver.2010 filtration standard. Southwest Research Institute (SWRI) independently tested and verified that the DieselPure system meets and exceeds the SAE J1488 ver.2010 requirements.

Benefits of Using SafeSite Advanced Filtration Systems

• Surpasses the ability of typical filtration systems that only eliminate standing or free water
• Reduces operating costs (man-hours, system downtime and wasted fuel)
• Eliminates costly diesel waste
• Protects tanks and equipment from corrosion and failure

How it Works

SafeSite Advanced Filtration Systems address the problems created by the unique chemical properties of ultra-low sulphur diesel and biodiesel blends. The filter is engineered to break the bond between emulsified water and diesel fuel. It is critical to remove emulsified water in order to prevent fuel decay and corrosion issues. The technology does this by successfully coalescing the water out of the fuel. It does not absorb the water like most filters. A single filter can continuously remove free standing and emulsified water from the fuel at a fully efficient level for several months, regardless of the amount of water it is removing.

Technical Information

Designing an Emergency Power Fuel System

If you are an Engineer working on an emergency power fueling system there are a lo of different factors to consider.  You need to understand national, state and local fire and building codes as well as understanding minimum uptimes for your system. Our FASTplan provides you with immediate design assistance that includes flow schematics, budget estimate and specifications.  You can get you everything you need for a detailed bid, usually in as little as 15 minutes.  We can provide standard CAD drawings or Revit™ 3D Models for your project.

Learn More

For Data Centers a loss of power can bring catastrophe and a huge loss of revenue and reputation. Power outages can result in lost data, corrupt files and damaged equipment. As such, data centers require a backup system that is integrated directly into the power infrastructure to ensure that critical systems stay online even if the lights go out.

12 Hours Minimum
The Uptime Institute Owners Advisory Committee defined 12 hours of minimum fuel storage as a starting point for Tier-defined data centers. The Tier Standard: Topology requires this 12-hour fuel storage minimum for all Tiers at 12 hours of runtime at “N” load while meeting the facility’s stated topology objective. Put another way, the fuel storage must be adequate to support the data center design load for 12 hours while on engine generators while meeting the Concurrently Maintainable or Fault Tolerant objective. Exceeding the 12-hour minimum is an Operational Sustainability issue that requires careful analysis of the risks to the data center energy supply.

Many owners reference the amount of fuel on hand based on total capacity. Just as with engine generators, chillers and other capacity components, the true fuel storage capacity is evaluated by removing the redundant component(s). A common example is an owner’s claim of 48 hours of fuel; however, the configuration is two 24-hour tanks, which is only 24 hours of Concurrently Maintainable fuel. The amount of Concurrently Maintainable or Fault Tolerant fuel establishes the baseline as the amount always available, not the best-case scenario of raw fuel storage.

We have experience with mission-critical emergency power design for data centers across the US.  We can provide you with system design and specification within 15 minutes that meet industry standard best practices.

ConVault Blast Effects Analysis

Karagozian & Case (K&C), a World Leader in Blast Consulting and Blast-Resistant Design, conducted this analysis in which three different threat scenarios were investigated to determine the inherent blast resistance of ConVault’s design for the tank. Scenarios were chosen to reflect blast safety distances recommended in FEMA’s Reference Manual to Mitigate Potential Terrorist Attacks against Buildings.

The scenarios investigated were: a blast from a vapor cloud such as might accumulate at a refinery, a blast from 50 lbs of High Explosive (HE) TNT as might be carried by a typical suicide bomber, and a blast from 500 lbs of High Explosive (HE) TNT representing a typical car bomb.

Scenarios Investigated Included:

• Suitcase Bomb (50 lbs. of Explosives at 5ft.)
• Car Bomb (500 lbs. of Explosives at 20 ft.
• Vapor Cloud Explosion

The tank passed all three tests. Overall, the BEA indicated that the ConVault AST is very resistant to the effects of the blast loads considered. The reinforced concrete vault is a key design feature. The mass provided by the concrete outer shell protects the steel tank and greatly enhances the resistance to all blasts. According to K&C the magnitude of these blasts at the respective proximities would be expected to destroy and/or relocate lighter, less robust fuel storage tanks. However, the ConVault AST will not only remain in place, it will survive with no fuel leakage from the primary tank.

Department of Homeland Security DT&E Designation

ConVault AST’s have been granted DT&E designation under the Safety Act for the Supporting Anti-Terrorism Technology. ConVault tanks are the only AST to have received this designation. The SAFETY Act is intended to provide critical incentives for the development and deployment of anti-terrorism technologies.

Tritium Launches Software Update for RT50 Chargers to Unlock Plug and Charge Capabilities

For Immediate Release

Coming off a year that proved to be pivotal for the electric mobility industry, Tritium has launched a new software update for their RT50 DC fast chargers, enabling Plug and Charge technology globally. The update allows an electric vehicle (EV) that supports Plug and Charge and Tritium’s RT50 chargers to communicate seamlessly and authorise payments directly from the driver’s account without needing a card or RFID tag.

“Tritium committed to bringing the latest DC fast charging technology to our entire product line, whether they are brand new chargers or already in the ground. This latest software update improves customer experience across the board with seamless and secure payment options available through Plug and Charge,” said Tritium’s Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder James Kennedy. “This technology makes EV charging as easy as plugging in a phone.”

Plug and Charge technology promises to reshape the customer experience for the driver and enable the once-siloed approach to charging payments to be broken down, giving the most convenient experience for the EV driver.

About Core

Core offers planning and implementation of EV infrastructure, providing you the peace of mind you need when you embark on a fleet electrification process. For help with your new EV initiative contact us for a FASTPlan Quote.

New York City has some of the most stringent fuel storage regulations in the world. Updated codes and standards has resulted in planned systems being rejected by NYC Inspectors during the Fuel Storage Inspection.

Common Reasons for Failed Inspections

1. Fuel-oil tanks built to standards of UL142 being improperly vented as opposed to the alternate tank design and construction standards of Section 1305.14, which does not require emergency relief venting per Section 1305.8.
2. Rooftop tanks being vented openly as opposed to in compliance with Section 305.8.3, which require that the vent piping shall be piped, in an approved manner, into the vent or top of the tank of the lowest floor storage tank that supplies the fuel to such tank.
3. Rooftop tank vent lines being combined with the fuel-oil return line as opposed to running in separate fuel-oil vent line as per the approved manner that is discussed in Section 1305.8.3.

Definitions

1. UL142 Fuel-Oil Tank – A tank that is designed and manufactured in conformance with Underwriters Laboratories’ UL-142 specifications and so labeled. The tank will be designed and constructed to 5PSI and will be provided with emergency relief venting on both the primary and secondary.
2. NYC Alternate Design and Construction Tank (“NYC 25PSI Tank”) – A tank that is designed and manufactured in conformance with Section 1305.14 Alternate tank design and construction standards. The tank will be designed and constructed to 25PSI and will NOT be provided with emergency relief venting

Recommended Solutions

1. For tanks located inside of buildings on the lowest floor (i.e., basement tanks), it is best to provide a single-wall, NYC 25PSI Tank with proper labels, inside of a 100% open-rupture basin. Note: Only fuel-oil tanks greater than 660-gallons in storage capacity require a rupture basin per Section 1305.13.2(4), but it is always recommended.
This design eliminates the necessity for emergency vents and, moreover, it meets the requirement to extend these vents outside. Only the normal vent (typically 2”) will need to extend outside.
2. For tanks located inside of buildings above the lowest floor (i.e., rooftop tanks), it is best to provide a single-wall, NYC 25PSI Tank with proper labels, inside of a 200% closed-rupture basin. Note: All fuel-oil tanks above the lowest floor require a rupture basin per Section 1305.13.3(5).
This design eliminates the necessity for emergency vents and, moreover, it meets the requirement to extend these vents back down through the building to the basement tank. Only the 2” normal vent will need to extend to basement.
3. For tanks located inside of buildings above the lowest floor (i.e., rooftop tanks), it is required to extend a fuel-oil vent pipe, in an approved manner, into the vent or top of tank of the lowest floor storage tank that supplies fuel to such tank.
a. This vent cannot open on the roof.
b. This vent must use a pipe solely intend for venting. It cannot be combined with the fuel-oil return piping.

Compliance Expertise

Core Engineered Solutions (CES) has specialized in the design and supply of integrated fuel storage and transfer systems in New York for over 30 years. CES can help. We work with all the principals involved with fuel storage design, installation and operation: code officials, owners, engineers and contractors. It is our mission to ensure the highest standards for safety, compliance and reliability

To minimize the potential for costly oil and gasoline discharges the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requires many facilities to post and implement a written Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures Plan (SPCC). SPCC plans give the EPA assurance the facility has a process in place to prevent spills from above ground tanks and details countermeasures used to prevent spills. SPCC plans are not spill contingency plans which focus solely on the actions taken AFTER a spill has occurred. Failure to comply with these regulations can subject your facility to extensive fines from the EPA. SPCC requirements have changed many times through the last 10 years.  Here we outline the new tiered requirements.

TIER I: SMALL – Plan Requirements: Owner or operator may complete and self-certify plan template

• A Facility Has 10,000 gallons or less aggregate above ground petroleum storage capacity.
• Any individual above ground petroleum storage container may be no greater than 5,000 gal.
• Within any 12 month period, 3 years prior to the Plan certification date, there has been:
• No single discharge of petroleum to navigable waters/shorelines exceeding 1,000 gal
• No two discharges of petroleum to navigable waters/shorelines each exceeding 42 gal

TIER II: MEDIUM – Plan Requirements: Owner or operator may prepare self-certified Plan in accordance with requirements of 40 CFR, §112.7, in lieu of a Professional Engineer certified plan or may also prepare an SPCC plan according to all other facilities’ requirements.

• Has 10,000 gallons or less aggregate above ground petroleum storage capacity.
• Has individual above ground petroleum storage container greater than 5,000 gallons.
• Must meet all other Tier I discharge conditions.

LARGER FACILITIES – Plan Requirements: Must prepare a Professional Engineer certified Plan in accordance with all the applicable requirements of §112.7.

• Has more than 10,000 gallons aggregate above ground petroleum storage capacity
• Must meet all other Tier I and Tier II discharge conditions.