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Posted Sunday, March 6th, 2022

What is internal bracing and why is it a hazard in fuel tanks? Find out below.

Intro Video - Internal Bracing

Joe and Hamish briefly discuss why internal bracing is bad for your fuel tank.

What is internal bracing?

First and foremost, what is internal bracing you ask? Well internal bracing basically involves an anchor and suture system that literally acts as as internal brace creating an interior support mechanism for the fuel tank.

Do Fuelchief tanks have internal bracing?

Our historical designed tanks did infact have internal bracing, this was because it was deemed to be the strongest option for fuel tanks. However, after long-term risks were highlighted to us through customer feedback and research, we realised that we needed to invent a better way to combat the two re-occurring issues that customers were facing from internal bracing in their fuel tank. The two main reasons we removed internal bracing from our fuel tanks was:

1. The health and safety risk factor
2. The degradation of fuel through diesel bug

Let’s delve into these two issues further.

Why Internal Bracing Is Bad For Your Fuel Tank

HEALTH AND SAFETY RISK

During the life-span of your tank, service technicians will be required to enter your tank either for inspection, cleaning, maintenance or repairs, and it is critical that all safety precautions are taken. In other words, the more dangerous the task is, the more safety measures are put into place and the more expensive your servicing costs will be. Internal bracing makes it very difficult for the technician to move around within the tank and will be required to ‘climb through’ the bracing to reach their point of service making a recovery operation very slow and difficult in the event of a medical mishap or accident.

 

 

Why Internal Bracing Is Bad For Your Fuel Tank
photo of diesel bug in fuel tank

FUEL QUALITY & DIESEL BUG

‘Diesel bug’ is a commonly accepted term for a number of contaminants that include microbial bacteria, fungi and algae that live at the point of blend between water and diesel. The microbes have a very short life but before they die, they multiply and produce waste deposits, both of which descend to the bottom of the fuel tank or on the flat surfaces of internal bracing. The build-up of this ‘sludge’ on the internal bracing effectively allows all this contaminant to remain in the area of normally clean fuel and greatly increases the risks of contamination.

 

 

The introduction of highly efficient engines such as the common-rail diesel engine – now require higher quality fuel. When bacteria, sludge or water is sucked into the fuel lines it causes filter and injector blockages. As a result of the blockages the filter, injector, fuel tank and lines may require replacement or cleaning, and if the damage affects the operation of the injector pump then watch out because this can often be a painfully expensive repair.

 

photo of diesel bug in fuel tank
DC Cut away image showing no bracing - Fuelchief Tanks

WHAT DOES FUELCHIEF DO DIFFERENTLY?

At Fuelchief, we provide innovative products that focus on safety, innovation and providing the best solution for our customers, coupled with back up and service. We have redefined the way our tanks are built and have removed all internal bracing from all tanks. Our tanks are much safer to enter and work in and will provide a much cleaner space for your fuel for many years to come.

 

DC Cut away image showing no bracing - Fuelchief Tanks

Keen for a chat?

If you want to discuss this article, or speak to one of our reps today contact us via the link below, or email info@fuelchieftanks.com