Ameer Randolph
Fuel tanks are often black due to the presence of algae, carbon build-up, or Asphaltene, a polymer created by the high temperature and pressure in the injector tip of certain engines. Black fuel tanks can also be the result of using black pigmented materials, such as carbon black, which is commonly used in polyethylene or plastic chemical storage tanks for its superior UV protection and weather resistance. The black color helps to absorb or screen out damaging UV rays, extending the life of the tank and reducing the risk of catastrophic failure.
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$472.53
What You'll Learn
Fuel tanks are black to protect them from UV degradation
Fuel tanks are often black due to the addition of carbon black, which acts as a UV absorber. This carbon black pigment is a standard method for protecting polyethylene tanks from UV degradation. Exposure to UV rays can cause plastic tanks to degrade, leading to a loss of mechanical properties, discolouration, cracking, fading, and chalking.
Carbon black is added as a stabilizer to absorb and screen out harmful UV rays, transforming them into heat that is then dissipated throughout the tank. This prevents the potential breakdown of the polyethylene, extending the life of the tank and reducing the risk of catastrophic failure.
The effectiveness of carbon black as a UV absorber has been supported by an independent study conducted over 36 months in the Arizona desert. The results showed that carbon black provided superior UV resistance compared to tanks pigmented with Titanium Dioxide.
While black chemical tanks may have slightly higher overall temperatures, the UV protection offered by carbon black outweighs the effects of the elevated temperature levels. This makes carbon black the preferred pigment for storing harsh chemicals and a popular choice for high-end storage solutions.
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Black fuel tanks are better at storing harsh chemicals
The black coating inside fuel tanks is often a result of Asphaltene, a polymer created in the injector tip of diesel engines. While this residue is challenging to remove, it is unrelated to the colour of the fuel tank.
Black fuel tanks, specifically those made of polyethylene, are ideal for storing harsh chemicals. Polyethylene tanks are susceptible to degradation from exposure to sunlight and ultraviolet (UV) rays, which can cause the plastic to become brittle, discoloured, cracked, faded, and chalked. This degradation can lead to a loss of mechanical properties and the potential breakdown of the polyethylene.
Carbon black, a pigment added to polyethylene tanks, offers superior protection against UV degradation. It acts as a UV absorber, screening out and absorbing harmful UV rays and transforming them into harmless heat that dissipates throughout the tank. This UV protection is particularly crucial for tanks stored outside, as it extends the life of the tank and reduces the risk of catastrophic failure.
When compared to opaque white storage tanks pigmented with Titanium Dioxide, carbon black is the standard for UV absorption. Black chemical tanks have slightly higher overall temperatures, but the superior UV protection provided by carbon black outweighs the effects of the elevated temperature. This makes black fuel tanks a preferred choice for storing harsh chemicals, ensuring the integrity and longevity of the storage solution.
Additionally, carbon black has multiple applications in plastics beyond UV protection. It can be used as a pigment, conductive filler material, and particulate reinforcement. These versatile properties of carbon black further contribute to its effectiveness in black fuel tanks, making them well-suited for storing aggressive chemicals.
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Black fuel tanks are more resistant to mechanical failure
Fuel tanks are often coated with carbon black, a material that is commonly used in plastics. Carbon black has a variety of applications, including as a pigment, conductive filler material, particulate reinforcement, and UV absorber. In the context of fuel tanks, carbon black serves primarily as a pigment and a UV absorber.
When compared to opaque white storage tanks pigmented with Titanium Dioxide, carbon black is superior in its ability to absorb or screen out damaging UV rays. This quality translates to improved weather resistance in fuel tanks that are housed outside. The black colour of the tanks helps to absorb and dissipate UV radiation, preventing the tanks from heating up excessively.
Furthermore, carbon black protects the tank material from the harmful effects of UV radiation. Polyethylene tanks, for example, are susceptible to degradation when exposed to UV rays. This degradation leads to a loss of mechanical properties, resulting in issues such as discoloration, cracking, fading, and chalking. By incorporating carbon black, the structural integrity, heat resistance, and useful life of the fuel tank are significantly enhanced.
The superior UV protection offered by carbon black outweighs the slight increase in overall temperature that black fuel tanks may experience. As a result, black fuel tanks exhibit extended life spans and reduced risks of catastrophic failure. The use of carbon black ensures that the fuel tanks can withstand harsh conditions and provides an extra layer of protection against mechanical failure.
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Black fuel tanks are less likely to crack or fade
Fuel tanks are often coated with carbon black, a material that offers superior weather resistance. Carbon black is commonly used as a pigment and UV absorber in polyethylene or plastic chemical storage tanks.
When exposed to sunlight, polyethylene tanks can heat up and degrade due to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. This degradation can lead to a loss of mechanical properties, cracking, fading, and chalking. By adding carbon black as an internal stabilizer, these negative effects can be mitigated.
Carbon black absorbs or screens out harmful UV rays, transforming them into harmless heat that dissipates throughout the tank. This UV protection is particularly important for tanks stored outside, as it extends the life of the tank and reduces the risk of catastrophic failure.
The superior UV resistance of carbon black has been supported by independent studies, making it the preferred pigment for storing harsh chemicals. In addition to its UV-protecting properties, carbon black also enhances the structural integrity, heat resistance, and useful life of polyethylene tanks.
Therefore, black fuel tanks, through the use of carbon black, are less likely to crack or fade and offer superior performance compared to tanks of other colours.
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Black fuel tanks are harder to clean
The black coating inside fuel tanks is caused by Asphaltene, a polymer created when the temperature and pressure in the injector tip are high enough to link the molecules found in diesel fuel. This problem is particularly prevalent in refineries, where they treat it constantly. While older mechanical engines do not experience this issue, it commonly occurs in electronic Caterpillar and Detroit engines.
The black residue in fuel tanks can be extremely challenging to remove. Various methods, including steaming, bleach, parts-cleaning solvent, soaps, and liquid cleaners, have proven ineffective in eliminating the black coating. However, a mixture of chemicals and custom-bent lines for steam cleaning the tank has shown some success. Additionally, certain chemicals, such as those produced by Fleetguard and PENRAY, can be added to the fuel to disperse the polymer back into diesel fuel.
The labor cost for removing, cleaning, and reinstalling fuel tanks can be significant, approximately $1200. An alternative solution is to perform an internal engine cleaning, which involves flushing the engine with a thin oil containing six times the regular amount of detergents. This process takes about an hour and can effectively clean the engine, as evidenced by the clean oil on the dipstick even after extended driving.
Another suggestion for cleaning black fuel tanks involves removing the tank and using a cement mixer. The process includes plugging the fuel line hole, securing the tank to the mixer, adding sharp objects like nails, and turning on the mixer. This method can help dislodge the black residue, but it may not always be feasible or practical.
While the presence of black residue in fuel tanks can be unsightly and challenging to clean, it is important to note that it does not necessarily indicate an issue with the cylinder head or other engine components. In some cases, it may be caused by algae in the diesel fuel, which can be treated with fuel algaecide. However, it is always advisable to consult a professional or a mechanic to properly diagnose and address any issues with fuel tanks or engine performance.
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Frequently asked questions
Fuel tanks are black due to the presence of asphaltene, a polymer created in the injector tip of diesel engines. This black coating is challenging to remove and requires specialized cleaning methods.
The black substance could be "black goo," a common issue in diesel fuel tanks. It may be caused by algae, rust, or other contaminants.
There are various methods to clean the black substance, including using E-85, brake clean, or mechanical cleaning methods such as a cement mixer with nails. Some people also suggest treating the fuel with algaecide to prevent the growth of algae.
The black substance can cause fuel filters to clog and reduce the service life of the filters. It may also impact the performance of your vehicle, leading to power loss and sputtering.
Black tanks, specifically those made with carbon black, offer superior UV protection compared to white tanks. This helps to extend the life of the tank and reduce the potential for catastrophic failure due to polyethylene degradation.
