Diesel Fuel Storage Management
Protecting Your Diesel Assets with Industry-Leading Expertise
Reliable fuel storage is critical to the safety, performance, and compliance of your operations. Our comprehensive diesel fuel tank maintenance services — including tank integrity testing, cleaning, reclamation, fuel conditioning, sampling, and leak detection — are designed to keep your emergency power systems operating efficiently while meeting Australian regulatory requirements. Backed by advanced equipment, accredited methods, and a commitment to excellence, we help you safeguard your assets, avoid costly downtime, and maintain full environmental compliance with confidence. From Sinelec’s high-quality safety documentation, right through to industry-leading reports, Sinelec Fuel Tank Services team can deliver results you can trust.
Compliance Fact Box
Did you know?
Under the “Victoria’s Environment Protection Regulations 2021, all underground petroleum storage systems (UPSS) must be designed, maintained, and monitored to prevent and detect fuel leaks, ensuring protection of the environment.” Sinelec Fuel Tank Services can help ensure your system stays fully compliant — and fully protected. Contact us today.
Why Does Diesel Fuel Age?
Diesel fuel degrades over time, impacting performance, reliability, and operational readiness.
Over time, diesel fuel undergoes chemical and biological degradation, resulting in reduced combustion efficiency, particulate formation, and water contamination. Factors such as temperature fluctuations, exposure to air, and microbial growth accelerate fuel breakdown. Aged diesel can cause clogged filters, corroded injectors, poor engine performance, and even equipment failure. Managing diesel fuel quality is vital for reliable generator operation and compliance with maintenance standards. Proper fuel management, including regular testing and conditioning, ensures operational readiness and asset protection.
Our team specialises in diagnosing fuel quality and implementing preventative measures, drawing on proven methodologies and laboratory-grade testing equipment to ensure optimal fuel stability and reliability.
Breather vents are essential for effective fuel pumping, allowing air to enter and exit the fuel tanks. They are an integral part of the tank design. Excess air, known as ullage space, permits humid air to enter the tank and condense moisture. This issue is more prevalent in above-ground tanks, especially as temperature fluctuations occur.
Moist and dark environments provide the ideal conditions for microorganisms to thrive. With standby or emergency generators, fuel often sits undisturbed, creating a perfect breeding ground for these organisms. When water is allowed to remain in stored diesel fuel, microorganisms or bacteria can form and feed on the hydrocarbons. Additionally, if water accumulates in the tank, it settles at the bottom. This water promotes tank corrosion, which can result in rust particles that circulate and end up in filters. Water also encourages algae growth, leading to slime and heavy deposits on the tank walls.
Contaminated fuel can cause engine filters to become clogged, which may damage the engine or generator. This can prevent the generator from operating during critical moments when it is needed the most.
Fuel Quality and Contamination Prevention
The cleaner your fuel is—and the cleaner it remains—the less likely it is for microbes to develop. However, even fresh fuel can become contaminated, potentially affecting your engine’s performance. While keeping the bulk tank fuel level above 80% reduces ullage space and the potential for condensation, diesel fuel naturally breaks down over time.
Key signs to watch for include clogged filters, or fuel that appears dark or milky in the fuel-water separator filters, often found at basement fuel pumps. Another indicator is rust around the filler cap at the bulk tank dip point. These can be early visible signs that microorganisms are beginning to form in the tank.
Several factors influence fuel quality, including:
- Amount of fuel in the tank: A half-full tank has more air, which increases the potential for condensation within the ullage space.
- Run time: Regular generator operation helps disturb organism growth, as does fuel circulation, unless using a fuel polishing system.
- Contamination in the tank: Sediment and debris settle and accumulate over time, with some potentially introduced during installation due to poor housekeeping practices.
- Fuel quality at the time of filling: The grade and quality of fuel when delivered is crucial. Sinelec only works with reputable fuel suppliers.
- External tank conditions: Temperature fluctuations, especially in hot summers or direct sunlight, cause tanks to expand and contract, further promoting condensation.
🔹 Diesel Fuel Degradation Highlight
Fuel Degrades Faster Than You Think
Stored diesel can begin to degrade in as little as 6 to 12 months without proper maintenance. Contamination and ageing fuel are leading causes of generator failure. Regular fuel testing and polishing protect your critical operations.
A generator system that extracts its diesel fuel from a bulk tank is prone to degradation of the fuel and the fuel system components. Poor quality fuel affects engine life, engine oil, fuel lines, fuel pumps, and emissions, and in turn reduces the life and reliability of a generator system. However, steel bulk tank degradation is also a critical element that must be carefully managed.
More critically, if the tank is buried directly in the ground, due diligence measures must be enacted to avoid costly EPA penalties and environmental damage.
At the start of 2025, Sinelec expanded its capabilities by bringing fuel tank management services in-house after a key subcontractor exited the market. This integration was a natural progression, as Sinelec has long recognised the high risks associated with underground petroleum storage systems (UPSS). By adding these services, Sinelec now offers comprehensive fuel system maintenance, including:
✅ Equipment Integrity Testing (EIT)
✅ Fuel Sampling & Quality Analysis
✅ UPSS 10 Year Tank Cleaning & Contamination Management
✅ Tank Material Thickness Scanning for Structural Integrity
✅ Fuel Leak Detection System Retrofits & Automatic Tank Gauging
✅ 24/7 emergency support
These new capabilities complement Sinelec’s existing expertise in retrofitting fuel leak detection systems, automatic tank gauging, and underground tank monitoring—ensuring that clients benefit from a complete, high-standard solution for fuel storage integrity.
Sinelec Global Systems Services takes responsibility for managing all aspects, including:
✅ Fuel Tank Replacement and System Upgrades
✅ Tank Lining Works
✅ Full Above Ground Tank and Fuel Water Separator Filter Retrofits
Diesel Tank Fuel Sampling And Cleaning Services
Accurate sampling and analysis to keep your stored diesel clean, compliant, and ready.
Routine diesel fuel sampling provides a clear snapshot of stored fuel condition, detecting contaminants such as water, microbial growth, particulate matter, and oxidation by-products. Sampling is vital to prevent system failures, costly remediation, and meet best practice operational guidelines for stored fuels.
We follow ASTM fuel sampling standards, using proper sampling equipment and laboratory analysis partnerships to deliver reliable results. Our high-quality reporting provides actionable insights and recommendations, enabling customers to maintain peak fuel quality and operational readiness.
🔹 Diesel Fuel Degradation Highlight
Fuel Degrades Faster Than You Think
Stored diesel can begin to degrade in as little as 6 to 12 months without proper maintenance. Contamination and ageing fuel are leading causes of generator failure. Regular fuel testing and polishing protect your critical operations.
Diesel Fuel Cleaning & Polishing Services
Restore and Maintain Fuel Quality Without the Need for Full Diesel Fuel Replacement.
Fuel cleaning and polishing are essential maintenance processes that remove particulate matter, water, microbial contamination, and sludge from diesel fuel—without the need for tank entry. This service rejuvenates stored diesel, optimises combustion efficiency, and safeguards engines and generators against premature wear and costly damage.
Aligned with industry best practices and AS 1940:2017 (The Storage and Handling of Flammable and Combustible Liquids), our proven approach includes:
- Comprehensive fuel removal into temporary storage and tank cleaning (recommended at least every 10 years for underground tanks, 15 years for above ground tanks, earlier if they have been contaminated with water)
- Advanced mobile filtration and polishing to restore fuel quality as it is returned to the tank
- Premium treatment additives for long-term stability
With extensive experience across industrial, commercial, and backup power systems, we deliver tailored solutions backed by laboratory testing to ensure optimal performance and compliance.
🔹 Why Cleaning Matters
Tank Cleaning Isn’t Just Maintenance — It’s Protection
Sludge build-up and microbial contamination in storage tanks can destroy fuel quality and cause internal corrosion. Sinelec’s professional tank cleaning removes these threats before they compromise your equipment and fuel investment.
APSS Aboveground Diesel Storage Tank Assessments
Identify risk early with comprehensive assessments of your aboveground storage systems.
Aboveground Petroleum Storage Systems (APSS) must be periodically assessed to verify structural integrity, corrosion protection, foundation stability, and safety system functionality. Early detection of wear, leaks, or environmental hazards ensures compliance with AS 1940-2017 and Work Health and Safety (WHS) regulations.
Our assessments can include:
✅ Visual inspections
✅ Ultrasonic thickness testing of tank shell
✅ Valve and vent condition assessments
✅ Environmental risk evaluations
✅ P&ID drawing availability and review
✅ Diesel fuel fill point correctly installed, labelled, and filler caps securely locked
✅ Bulk tank vent lines installed and directed to a safe external area
✅ Manufacturer’s identification label clearly displayed on the bulk tank
✅ Combustible fuel labels are correctly positioned and affixed
✅ Bulk tank supply line to all day tank includes a filter and isolating feature for gasket changes
✅ New dipstick readings aligned with digital gauge displays
✅ Comprehensive system leak checks across all fuel lines and connections
✅ Corrosion check of the entire tank vessel
✅ Fire extinguisher inspection for the correct type and up-to-date servicing
✅ Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are accessible near the tank area
✅ Spill kit content verification and placement checks
✅ Identification tags present on all normally open/closed valves
✅ Tank room floor sealant condition checked for integrity and containment
✅ Leak detector location confirmed near tanks and critical leak points
✅ Visual fuel condition check and water paste test conducted on the bulk tank
Our detailed reports enable proactive maintenance planning and help demonstrate regulatory compliance to authorities and insurers.
