What To Do With Old Diesel Fuel

Diesel fuel is commonly used in diesel engines with a fuel ignition system. The transportation industry makes extensive use of it.

It is the source of energy for the majority of construction and farming equipment in America.

Diesel fuel is a valuable commodity, and while it is difficult to comprehend having to dispose of something so valuable, it is occasionally unavoidable.

Don’t worry, we will share some tips in this article on what you can do with old diesel fuel. (Learn How To Dispose Of Turpentine)

old diesel

When It Comes to Diesel Fuel, How Long Does It Last?

According to studies, diesel fuel becomes polluted and degrades within 28 days of being stored. Diesel fuel can be stored for about 6 to 12 months on average, while it can last up for a year under ideal conditions. In general, to extend the life of stored diesel fuel quality, it should be:

Biocides and stabilizers were used, and the temperature was kept at roughly 70 degrees Fahrenheit. In compliance with NFPA 110, you must properly maintain it.

The “Storage Life” of diesel, according to NFPA 110, is 1.5 to 2 years. “Tanks should be sized so that the gasoline is utilized within the storage life,” the Standard states. A-5-9, NFPA 110

Three significant dangers to diesel quality may develop if the preceding conditions are not met or are not addressed adequately during long-term storage.

  • Microbial growth
  • Hydrolysis
  • Oxidation

Due to the existence of these three elements, it will shorten the diesel’s lifespan, and the quality will decrease significantly after six months. We’ll go over why these three elements are risks, as well as some advice on how to keep the diesel in good shape and avoid water contamination problems.

How Can I Safely Dispose of Diesel Old Fuel?

Because diesel gasoline is a flammable and toxic waste, there are a few precautions you should take before discarding it.

You should never flush it down to the toilet or throw it away in a garbage container or recycling bin.

This can corrode your pipelines, pollute ground and drinking water, and put your waste collectors’ health in danger.

Dumping diesel gasoline into a river, lake, pond, sewer, canal, or any other body of water is unlawful. It’s also against the law to dump inside a landfill.

So, suppose you’re trying to get rid of an old vehicle with diesel fuel remaining in the tank or an old container in your garage that may have been contaminated with water or another unknown substance. In that case, you must dispose of it as hazardous waste.

Follow the steps below to dispose of diesel fuel safely:

Step 1: Recognize what you have.

The first is to figure out exactly what you have.

To be safe, treat your diesel fuel as hazardous waste if you suspect it has been polluted by water or another unknown contaminant. Before moving on to the next phase, it’s vital to know what you’ve got.

Step 2: Make an attempt to use diesel fuel.

Try to utilize your diesel excess fuel if you are sure it is clean.

If it’s in your vehicle, use a fuel filter to transfer it to a container and preserve it for later use. If you have another vehicle or piece of oil furnace machinery that can run on diesel fuel oil, such as a generator, try to use it to avoid wasting it.

talking to neighbor

Step 3: See if anyone in your immediate vicinity is interested in the fuel.

Inquire with anyone in your immediate vicinity whether they would be willing to take the fuel tank off your hands. Many folks would gladly accept free fuel in exchange for rushing over to meet you. You could sell it for a small amount.

See whether a trucker, commercial fisherman, or construction company you know might be willing to buy old fuel from you. Only do this if you’re very sure your fuel isn’t tainted.

Step 4: Make contact with hazardous waste collection companies.

Contact hazardous waste collectors or municipal recycling centers in your area for the cleanest way to dispose of diesel fuel. In the last six years, the hazardous waste collection sector in the United States has developed significantly. (Read Power Steering Fluid Looks Milky)

Almost all local trash firms have hazardous waste collection programs or will be able to contact you with such collectors who would take your diesel fuel and properly dispose of it using a truck.

Some hazardous waste collectors may charge a minimal disposal fee for diesel fuel, but keep in mind that the cost will be significantly less than the potential damage caused by illegal diesel fuel disposal.

fire station

Step 5: Deliver it to a Fire Station.

For training purposes, fire services utilize diesel fuel to start a fire. It is filtered and reused. Contact your fire department to ask if they’d be interested in taking your uncontaminated diesel fuel.

You can also store it in a spill-proof container at several fire halls with a local collection point.

Step 6: Dispose of the fuel in spill-proof containers at the landfill.

Drive over to your city’s landfill to see whether they accept diesel fuel. Most landfills can take up to 5 gallons of diesel fuel in spill-proof containers that are clearly labeled as hazardous trash.

Hazardous waste disposal may be subject to fees at some landfills. The expense, however, will be less than the damage caused by improper disposal.

How to Get Rid of Diesel Fuel-Saturated Items

Items saturated in diesel fuel, such as rags, bits of cloth, and brushes, must be disposed of properly.

Follow the guidelines below to dispose of goods that have been drenched in diesel fuel:

Step 1: Arrange the Items

Allowing the things soaked in diesel fuel to dry is the first step in this process. This will allow the fuel to cure fully, removing any heat generated by the oxidation process.

Spread the goods on a non-combustible surface, such as concrete, in an outside area.

They should not be placed on a wooden surface. You can also hang them in the sun where they will get lots of air.

Step 2: Allow the items to air dry.

Allow the things to dry for two days or longer, depending on how much diesel fuel they were exposed to or absorbed in.

Step 3: Get Rid of the Things

When the objects have dried out, hand them over to hazardous waste collectors or the local rubbish pickup crew, following their instructions.

Other Method

Step 1: Placement of Items in a Container

Place the soaking rags, brushes, or other things in an empty metal container with a tight metal cover. The best paint to use is old paint.

Step 2: Sealing the Container

Fill the container with water until all contents are immersed, then close it tightly with the metal lid.

Step 3: Getting Rid of the Container

Take the container to any local hazardous waste collection or call your local garbage collection provider to schedule a special pickup.

Hazardous waste drop-off and pickup days are also held in many districts. To stay informed, contact your local government.

Old Diesel Fuel Reconditioning

Many farms, petrol stations, and construction firms purchase more diesel fuel than they require. This surplus fuel is stored for a long period and degrades with time.

It goes stale and requires reconditioning before it may be safely used again.

You might benefit from the process of reconditioning or purifying old diesel fuel with additives. You will save a significant amount of money that would otherwise be spent on fresh fuel.

Instead of disposing of old diesel fuel, follow these five steps to recondition it and make it safe to use:

Step 1: Transfer diesel fuel into drums.

Fill a gallon drum with leftover diesel fuel from your car, equipment, or container. Working with more than 50 gallons of fuel at a time can make the operation more difficult.

Before starting, make sure you have a 50-gallon drum on hand and a Racor filter.

Step 2: Add PRD-D or Ether to the mix.

Using a graduated cylinder, add 3.125 oz. PRD-D or 280 oz. Ether to the 50-gallon drum. PRD-D and ether are diesel additives that increase engine performance, enhance ignition, and lower pollutants.

They reduce fuel usage and reduce wear on the fuel system.

Step 3: Add a Fuel Re-Conditioner to the Stored Fuel Storage (optional).

You don’t need a gallon drum if you already know how much diesel fuel you have in your container. To the old diesel fuel, add a small amount of PRD-D or ether. Per gallon of old diesel fuel, the ratio is 0.0625 oz. PRD-D or 5.6 oz. Ether.

Step 4: Let the diesel fuel sit for a while before using it.

Allow a day or longer for the old diesel fuel to sit in the gallon drum. This will verify that it has been thoroughly reconditioned and that the diesel additives have been fully infused.

Then use the fuel as if it were brand new from the pump!

Are You Seeing Black Smoke From Diesel Storage Tanks?

If you are experiencing this, this is because of your old diesel. This can also be caused by a mechanical flaw in the engine that prevents petroleum’s complete, optimal combustion and other unknown substance.

When the proper amount of petroleum in a gaseous state (such as when an injector sprays or atomizes gasoline into a combustion chamber) meets the right amount of oxygen under the right conditions, the fuel burns entirely, producing carbon dioxide, water, and a lot of heat. As a result, a properly working engine will not produce black smoke.

However, it isn’t always the engine’s fault. If the fuel isn’t of sufficient quality and it undergoes transmission fluid, it won’t burn correctly in any engine.

Users who stock large quantities of fuel are concerned about this. They frequently invest a significant amount of money in thousands of gallons of diesel, biodiesel, or HFO to be used later.

If something happens to the fuel while being stored, its combustibility quality may alter, resulting in black smoke. Because the fuel is degraded in storage, black smoke causes injector and engine deposits, poor performance, lower mileage, and shorter DPF life.

Because of the numerous health and legal consequences, disposing of diesel fuel is difficult. When dealing with hazardous garbage, considerable caution is required because improper disposal can result in the loss of goods and even life.

If you don’t know how to dispose of diesel fuel, the best action is to avoid any experimenting. Instead, call a hazardous waste collection agency in your region and follow their instructions for securely and properly disposing of diesel fuel.

What To Do With Old Diesel Fuel (1)