What should I do with diesel tank sludge left in a tank being decommissioned?
In brief
With diesel tank sludge left in a tank being decommissioned, book fuel removal ahead of the tank contractor, tell us the tank size, what is in it and the dip reading, and keep the fill and vent points accessible. Mostly no. Call 07950 582635 or send an enquiry.
What sludge in diesel tanks means here
Sludge is drawn into the fuel lines when tanks run low or are stirred up by a delivery, blocking filters and starving engines, boilers and generators of fuel. Before a tank is removed, cleaned or filled with foam, every drop of fuel and sludge has to come out.
Storing it until collection
Leave the fuel in the tank until collection; the tank must not be cut or opened until it has been emptied and made gas-free. The fuel above the sludge is usually recoverable and can earn a rebate; the sludge carries a charge.
Preventing sludge in diesel tanks next time
Drain water regularly, keep tanks reasonably full and turned over, and have them cleaned every few years.
How City Fuel Services handles waste diesel
We collect waste diesel from cans and drums up to bulk tanks, across England, Wales and mainland Scotland, from our licensed site in Droylsden, Manchester. Terms, a rebate or a charge, are agreed before collection.
Terms used in this answer
- Duty of care
- The legal duty on anyone who produces or holds waste to keep it safe, describe it accurately, pass it only to an authorised person and keep the paperwork.
- Bund
- A wall, tray or outer case around a fuel container that holds any leak. For oil and fuel stored at a business, bunds for tanks, bowsers and IBCs are sized at 110% of the container.
| Problem | Sludge in Diesel |
|---|---|
| Situation | In a tank being decommissioned |
| Priority | Fit it to the contractor's programme: tanks must be emptied before cleaning or removal. |
| Fuel | Diesel |
| Also called | DERV (diesel engine road vehicle), road diesel, white diesel |
Related questions
- What should I do with diesel tank sludge?
- What should I do with diesel left in a tank being decommissioned?
- How can you tell if a diesel tank has sludge in it?
- What paperwork do I need for diesel left in a tank being decommissioned?
Official guidance: GOV.UK: hazardous waste.