gravity fed diesel filling station

[srjones]

I'm getting to the point where I'm tired of making frequent trips to the card-lock for 5 gallons of offroad diesel at a time so I'd like to set up a fueling station, raised to a platform of between 6-10 ft where I can quickly/easily/cleanly get fuel as needed.

I recently purchased two plastic barrels for this purpose (15 and 30 gallons)

My questions are.

1. On the non-dispensing bung is there a fitting that will allow the tank to breath (ie. let air in when fuel is going out and let air out when thing get warm) but yet keep out bugs and minimize splashes when in transit?

2. On the standard diesel nozzles, do they require any sort of back pressure to open? Or will a 2-3 feet of gravity open it up?

Thanks -srj

 

[ultrarunner]

I'm getting to the point where I'm tired of making frequent trips to the card-lock for 5 gallons of offroad diesel at a time so I'd like to set up a fueling station, raised to a platform of between 6-10 ft where I can quickly/easily/cleanly get fuel as needed.

I recently purchased two plastic barrels for this purpose (15 and 30 gallons)

My questions are.

1. On the non-dispensing bung is there a fitting that will allow the tank to breath (ie. let air in when fuel is going out and let air out when thing get warm) but yet keep out bugs and minimize splashes when in transit?

2. On the standard diesel nozzles, do they require any sort of back pressure to open? Or will a 2-3 feet of gravity open it up?

Thanks -srj

We had similar set-ups for off road diesel and gravity feed for 55 gallon lubricating oil.

The local Fire Marshall doesn't allow gravity for anything that can aid combustion... so it all had to go.

 

[Egon]

Get a threaded bushing that you can add a valve and u fitting for venting. Stuff it with Steel wool to keep the little things out! Of course use the solid bung when traveling.:thumbsup:

 

[lilranch2001]

a sintered pneumatic sound muffler would work as well, and be cheap and clean without any steel wool falling into the fuel
Can get them from Graingers


Muffler, Exhaust, 1/2 In NPT, 7/8 In Hex
Grainger Item #: 1A328
Price (ea.): $4.64
Brand: SPEEDAIRE

 

[niemeyjt]

The local Fire Marshall doesn't allow gravity for anything that can aid combustion... so it all had to go.

On a related 'legal' requirement - I guess you might also need to consider if any installation needs bunding?

J

 

[lilranch2001]

curious......, what is bunding?

 

[beenthere]

Bunding is a term used in UK and other countries, and I believe it is akin to a container to catch spills. They may have needed one in the Gulf.

 

[srjones]

Thanks everyone. I think this will do the trick:

Muffler, Exhaust, 3/4 In NPT, 1-1/6 In Hex - Pneumatic Muffler - Pneumatic System Components - Pneumatics & Hydraulics : Grainger Industrial Supply

BTW, I'm glad someone asked a question about bunding. At first I read that to be 'bundling'

 

[srjones]

They may have needed one in the Gulf.

They have one, but there's a big leak between Cuba and Florida.

 

[niemeyjt]

Bunding is a term used in UK and other countries, and I believe it is akin to a container to catch spills. They may have needed one in the Gulf.

Correct - in UK the law now says all industrial tanks (and domestic tanks over 2500 litres) must be bunded to 110% - this may be a double skinned tank, or retaining wall, or in the case of drums a sump pallet. This has caused many farmers to stop gravity fueling and use ground mounted double skinned tanks and a pump instead - the contrary of what the OP wanted!

Yes, the Gulf is awful - I remember as a child on the beaches getting tar on feet from a small leak - nothing like the scale of that those poor guys in the southern US face.

J