How does OpticSweep^® clean fuel?
How much of the tank gets cleaned?
How does OpticSweep^® differ from high-pressure power-washing of a tank interior?
Is OpticSweep safe?
Who uses our services?
What states are serviced by Optic Fuel Clean?  
What kinds of tanks does Optic Fuel Clean service?
What are the smallest capacity tanks, and the largest, that OpticSweep^® can be used on?
How does OpticSweep^® help station owners who are considering the conversion of a gasoline tank to the storage of E85 (85-percent ethanol) fuel?
How can I prepare before Optic Fuel Clean arrives?
What type of post-cleaning report is provided to the customer?
What data points are covered?
How does OpticSweep^® determine “how clean is clean?” 

How does OpticSweep^® clean fuel?
The OpticSweep^® system uses a patented approach to fuel assessment, filtering and restoration. A fiber-optic scope is inserted into a fuel tank (underground or small-capacity aboveground, 20’ limit) to provide a view and positive confirmation of the tank bottom condition. The scope is integrated with an extraction system.

If discolored fuel (e.g., a gasoline blend fouled by water) is evident, the technician can begin suction in the affected area. This is also true for tank bottoms that exhibit bacterial colonies, loose sediment and other types of contamination commonly found in fuel storage tanks.

Extracted fuel is routed to a filtration process, which removes impurities. After the fuel is restored, it is returned to the tank and contaminated liquids are sent to holding containers for disposal or removal.

Technicians can repeat the process until the visual inspection provides confidence to the tank owner-manager, or on-site representative, that the fuel is as clean as possible.

How much of the tank gets cleaned?
The OpticSweep® system cleans the bottom of the tank and the sidewalls, where most fuel-quality problems occur.

Residue from interior tank surfaces in most cases is heavier than the fuel, so it eventually drifts or settles to the bottom forming sludge.

It’s important to note: OpticSweep^® is a tank-fuel cleaning technology. It is a fuel-cleaning technology that does have some benefits related to interior tank cleaning (e.g., the suction removal of microbial contamination or loose sludge on a tank bottom and the sidewalls).

How does OpticSweep^® differ from high-pressure power-washing of a tank interior?

These are two very different processes. OpticSweep^® does not involve manned entry of a fuel tank. OpticSweep^® does not inject water, biocides or solvents of any sort into a tank.

For an older tank suspected of having substantial deposits of hardened residue at the bottom, OpticSweep^® can provide a visual confirmation of such buildup. The visual evidence may be important in determining whether to proceed with an expensive power-washing procedure.

Is OpticSweep^® Safe?

Our fuel cleaning system does not use electricity inside the system or the work zone area outside. Electricity with gas is highly explosive: tanks have blown up when others have tried to use electric cameras.

We also don't use chemicals with our service. When chemicals are used to kill bacteria, where does the dead bacteria go? It falls to the bottom of the tank. The dead bacteria still cause problems, so it needs to be removed.

Our Fiber Optic Scope is a very special piece of equipment. Only Optic Clean Fuel, Inc. uses this effective, safe, electricity-free system.

Who uses our services?

• Nuclear Plants
• Department of Transportation
• Gas Stations
• Cities and Municipalities
• School Districts
• Public Utility Districts
• Communication Companies
• Hospitals
• Stand By Generators (Buildings)
• Fleets
• Large Equipment Operators
• Farmers
• Trucking Companies
• Petroleum Distributors
  

What states are serviced by Optic Fuel Clean?

AK, CO, IA, IL, IN, KS, MN, MO, MT, NE, ND, OH, OK, SD, TX, WI, WY

What kinds of tanks does Optic Fuel Clean service?

OpticSweep’s^® equipment fits in both 4-inch and a 2-inch tank openings.
Probes must be accessible (removable).

• Underground Tanks (UST's)
• Aboveground Tanks (AST's) Top or Side Manholes, Vertical or Horizontal,
      NOTE: A  lift must be provided for storage tanks 18' or higher.
• Split Tanks
• Convault Tanks
• Generator Tanks (Emergency)
• Containment Tanks
• Skid Tanks
• Heating Oil Tanks
• 500 Gallon to 45,000 Gallon UST's & AST's
• All Blends of Diesel: low and high leveled Biodiesel, Road Master, Field Master, Dye, Clear, Red, Soy, etc,
• All Blends of Ethanol - E10, E15, E20, E85, Kerosene, Avgas, Jet Fuel
• Superior Phase Separation Recovery
• Fuel Conversions
  

Optic Fuel Clean can work with almost any tank other than Propane tanks of 200 gallons or less.

What are the smallest capacity tanks, and the largest, that OpticSweep^® can be used on?
OpticSweep^® cleans small 300 gal tanks such as farmers above ground tanks, and cleans underground tanks up to 40,000 gal. We also do clean vertical above ground tanks with a height limit of 20’. If tanks are higher than 20' we then require a lift be provided by the customer. Safety is of the utmost importance pertaining to height.

How does OpticSweep^® help station owners who are considering the conversion of a gasoline tank to the storage of E85 (85-percent ethanol) fuel?

The OpticSweep^® experience has shown that it’s best to clean the fuel in the tank to be converted shortly before the last load is depleted. This will remove as much loose residue as possible before the introduction of the E85.

The high alcohol content of the E85 will very likely act as a solvent upon introduction to the existing tank – thereby releasing gums and residues creating some new debris.

We recommend a follow-up visit about two to three weeks after the E85 conversion for another assessment – and cleaning, if necessary.

How can I prepare before Optic Fuel Clean arrives?

• Leave the fuel in the tank: do not drain the tank. The tank must be at least 1/3 full.
• Provide a lift for storage tanks 18' or higher
  

What type of post-cleaning report is provided to the customer? What data points are covered?
An OpticSweep^® representative will provide a report to the tank owner-manager upon completion of the work. The report will list the tanks inspected, the amount of fuel on hand, the type of fuel, and any cleaning work that has been provided.

In addition, the report will cite the method of access (e.g., fill pipe) and what was found to be present at the tank bottom: sludge, water, bacteria or mixed contamination. Among other details, the report will show how many gallons of contaminated liquid were removed from the tank system, and whether a physical cleaning of the tank is recommended.

How does OpticSweep^® determine “how clean is clean?”
OpticSweep^® technicians rely on the proven technology of Fiber Optics to provide a reliable view of fuel restoration. In cleaning thousands of fuel tanks, there have been a handful of times when a return trip to a fueling facility was required.

We allow the scope to do what it does best – looking inside to visually show what needs to be extracted and filtered.

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Bacteria

Discovered in Premium Gas

ATG Probe removed and found to be covered with contamination resulting in false monitor readings. Many operators rely on ATG probes to monitor water bottoms, but when they are contaminated they will give a false reading.
      OpticSweep^® enters the UST’s through the fill and /or the probe pipe and we make certain the probe’s are cleaned to make sure of correct monitor readings.

Technician servicing vertical above ground tanks.