HVO’s excellent stability makes it remarkably simple to handle and store compared to other diesels, and a variety of plug-and-play storage solutions are available. Discover how to store HVO below.
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This guide explains:
- The stability characteristics of Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) compared to other diesels
- How Prema HVO can be stored and handled on your site
- The storage services available to Prema customers
In a previous guide, we explained how Prema HVO offers superior operational performance compared to regular diesel and biodiesel.
The same performance characteristics are also advantageous in storage as well.
How to store HVO
When storing fuels, there are often specific environmental conditions that need to be maintained. FAME biodiesel, for example, can wax up and cause line blockages if left out in the cold. Biodiesel is also liable to oxidation and water ingress needs to be avoided at all costs. These characteristics mean it has a relatively short shelf-life of up to six months.
Hydrotreated Vegtable Oil can be safely stored for up to ten years without such worries. It does not oxidate or absorb water. It’s resilient in cold weather down to -32 degrees C, so it will flow easily right through winter. Its minimum flashpoint of 61 degrees C makes it extremely safe in warmer conditions as well.
It’s also much safer for the environment. In the event of an accidental spillage, regular fossil diesel can harm local ecosystems, but HVO’s biodegradability and hydrophobic properties mean any potential harm is drastically reduced. This makes it an ideal fuel even in environmentally sensitive locations.
Storage solutions available
For those who do not have their own storage infrastructure in place, there are a range of solutions available. We can provide ‘plug-and-play’ 5,000L, 10,000L or 20,000L storage tanks for hire or free of charge, depending on your volume commitment.
Each tank has a standard 3-pin, 3-phase power connection with a pump, flow meter and delivery hose, so it’s as simple as plugging it in and turning on the nozzle.
We also offer fuel management systems that require operators to use a personalised fob when filling up, allowing you to keep an eye on stock levels and see who is using what (which can be particularly useful on sites with multiple contractors).
Using existing infrastructure
If you already have your own storage infrastructure, switching to HVO is easy.
No additional equipment is required and HVO’s interchangeability with regular diesel means there is no need to drain or clean your tank (although we always recommend customers do so as part of good fuel management practice).
