Ethanol and fiberglass tanks

[Jim D.]

Re: Ethanol and fiberglass tanks

All------


Ive said this before and I'll say it again: fiberglass reinforced plastic is an organic substance. Gasoline is an organic solvent. Over time, contact of the organic solvent with the FRP will cause the FRP to degrade. There's no way around that. The deterioration will begin the first day that gasoline is introduced into the tank (i.e. at St. Louis) and it will proceed inexorably thereafter, whether the tank is full, or not. The only thing that surprises me is that these fiberglass tanks have lasted as long as they have.

100% correct. Everyone wants to blame ethanol for everything from bad gas mileage to the poor economy. We've had it in the NorthWest for at least 30 years. Nobody has had any problems. The problem with fiberglass tanks is age. Simple as that.

[Dick W.]

Re: Ethanol and fiberglass tanks

But, I think about every gas station in the country now has fiberglass tanks. If ethanol is so bad on fiberglass, you would think that would be a problem. It may be a different type of resin now.

Wonder what type of tank they put the E-85 in?

They have had sporatic problems with those tanks Wayne. Everyone up here has gone back to steel tanks as they are replaced.

[Jim D.]

Re: Ethanol and fiberglass tanks

All------


Ive said this before and I'll say it again: fiberglass reinforced plastic is an organic substance. Gasoline is an organic solvent. Over time, contact of the organic solvent with the FRP will cause the FRP to degrade. There's no way around that. The deterioration will begin the first day that gasoline is introduced into the tank (i.e. at St. Louis) and it will proceed inexorably thereafter, whether the tank is full, or not. The only thing that surprises me is that these fiberglass tanks have lasted as long as they have.

They have had sporatic problems with those tanks Wayne. Everyone up here has gone back to steel tanks as they are replaced.

This is from a federal site regarding gasoline storage.

"Petroleum storage tank systems designed and installed after 1981 should not experience a
compatibility issue due to the introduction of an ethanol-blend gasoline. For those systems
installed prior to 1981, the manufacturer should be contacted to determine compatibility."

I've seen hundreds of glass tanks installed in the last 30 years. No problem here. I think everyone should stop blaming ethanol and address the real problem - your ***** is getting old and needs to be replaced because of age, not ethanol.

[Richard M.]

Re: Ethanol and fiberglass tanks

It is possible that the percentage content of ethanol has been very low there.......

Here in Florida over the past 3 years there have been numerous cases of stranded yachts off the coast. I have spoken first hand to some victims. Mega yachts with FRP tanks have been in dry dock for months replacing tanks with aluminum. In some cases the boats have been scrapped. Reason being is tanks were laid up in the bilges using FRP, then the entire deck and superstructure was built on top of that. I can tell you that yacht owners and insurance companies are not happy.


This article is scientific. Read all of it. It is quite enlightening. Don't shoot the messenger please. I didn't write it.

http://www.boatus.com/seaworthy/fueltest.asp

Rich

[Paul B.]

Re: Ethanol and fiberglass tanks

Marathon Petroleum(who I work for)has "non ethanol" gasoline blends that have been available in the south, at least in Florida that I know of for boats.

...I too have always wondered about all these newer gas station's fiberglass tanks that I've seen installed around here in the last 7yrs or so. I wondered how they're holding up.

[Gary C.]

Re: Ethanol and fiberglass tanks

John, etal.

Thought y'al might like to read this boater's ethanol testing on fiberglass gas tanks and his experiences.

http://www.egyptian.net/~raymacke/Cbnskif17.htm

Gary
....

[Richard M.]

Re: Ethanol and fiberglass tanks

John, etal.

Thought y'al might like to read this boater's ethanol testing on fiberglass gas tanks and his experiences.
http://www.egyptian.net/~raymacke/Cbnskif17.htm

Gary
....

Yes very interesting isn't it. I read that a while ago when I found it in the link I sent. Notice that his test was 10 years ago!

Rich

[Clem Z.]

Re: Ethanol and fiberglass tanks

for a expensive boat i an sure companies like ATL would fabricate up a rubber bladder to install in the tanks as they make rubber fuel cell bladders for alky burning cars