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On-Farm Fuel-Cleaning Service
“When people complain about dirty fuel, it’s usually a dirty storage tank that is the problem,” says Jack “Buck” Benner, owner of a fuel-cleaning service that comes to the farm. “Cleaning the fuel, and the tank, go hand in hand. It’s the best way to remove all the sludge, slime, buildup and water in the tank.”
Benner had seen a need for equipment to clean fuel when he learned about the Algae-X Fuel Polishing System. The system had mainly been marketed for maritime use, large transportation fleets and mining equipment.
Benner put the system to work for Idaho farmers, ranchers and others, anyone with bulk fuel storage tanks. He also is a dealer for Algae-X products and equipment.
Benner started with a small portable unit that can process about 480 gallons of fuel per hour and since has added two more, including a 1,560 gph model. He is now adding a fourth and larger model that will process 4,500 gph.
Before arriving to clean a tank, Benner encourages customers to fill the tank, if not full, at least to their normal fill mark. That ensures that sludge that has built up on the sides will be removed as well.
Fuel polishing is a three-stage process. He first removes easily drained water and particulates. He then adds Algae-X Fuel Conditioner as a catalyst to condition and stabilize the fuel in the tank. To get at the sludge and other materials, he inserts an intake hose through a pvc pipe down to the bottom of the tank and begins to pump the fuel through the filtration equipment. It removes water and fine solids down to three microns.
“The best analogy is kidney dialysis,” says Benner. “The fuel conditioner dissolves tank sludge, slime and build-up on the walls, and the filtration system removes it. The fuel is cycled back through the tank and the filter until it and the tank are clean.”
The catalyst serves double duty, says Benner. “It helps clean the tank, but as long as it’s in the fuel, it also cleans the fuel system of the vehicle or equipment using the fuel, from its tank to the tip of the exhaust pipe,” he says.
To maintain a clean fuel storage tank, he advises adding catalyst with each fill. It can also be added to the fuel tanks of cars, trucks, tractors or other engines whenever commercial fuel is purchased. Half an ounce per 20 gal. will do it, he says.
“I get an extra 2 1/2 mpg with my pickup truck,” says Benner. “At $3.65 per gal. for diesel and $32.71 for an 8-oz. bottle of catalyst, I save 59¢ per gal. with the extra mileage. Plus it starts better and runs better and smoother.”
The fuel catalyst also helps with ethanol separation. While it won’t reblend separated fuel, it will help stop further separation. Adding it with fuel fills to storage tanks helps prevent separation and can preserve fuel integrity for up to 12 months.
Fuel filtration systems are also available for on-engine installations. Benner says he also can help individuals outside his trade area establish their own fuel cleaning and fuel conditioning service.
“I started out with the small unit,” says Benner. It came complete with hoses and catalyst for about $7,000.”
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, High Desert Fuel Services, LLC, P.O. Box 564, Albion, Idaho 83311 (ph 208 308-0527; www.highdesertfuelservices.com).



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2011 - Volume #35, Issue #5