Smart from the Start: Planning Your UST System for Long-Term Cost Savings
By Steve Stewart
PREVENTING WATER FROM GETTING INSIDE THE TANK HELPS PROTECT ANOTHER VALUABLE ASSET: THE FUEL IN THE UST
Not unlike the vehicles they fuel, the multitude of individual components in an underground storage tank (UST) system combine to make a sum greater than their parts.
They also represent a significant financial investment. In an effort to reduce upfront costs, operators may be tempted to settle for less advanced equipment. But that approach often proves to be short-sighted.
UST systems are foundational assets that directly impact operational continuity. Moreover, they are a business asset with a 20- to 25-year service life, a lifespan that is likely only eclipsed by that of the c-store building itself in terms of longevity. With such a long operational life, the total cost of ownership (TCO) of the entire system is a critical metric that, if not judiciously controlled, will erode a c-store’s bottom line.
Some factors contributing to higher UST system TCO are readily apparent: Replacement parts, leaking components causing remediation, forced upgrades and financial consequences stemming from compliance lapses, to name a few. However, there are additional, less obvious TCO considerations that should be evaluated at the component level before purchasing UST equipment. Three key areas of focus include:
- Protecting the UST system from conditions that contribute to component failures
- Reducing labor costs associated with the UST system
- Preparing the UST system for future fuels
Consequently, it’s essential to consider how these factors influence long-term operating expenses and maintenance planning.
Protecting Your Assets
The tank itself is the most expensive component in a UST system. Protecting it from damaging conditions is a critical first step to avoiding expensive and time-consuming repairs down the line.
While the fuel type plays a role in corrosion risk, water intrusion remains a primary cause of tank degradation. Ignoring water ingress can have costly implications over the life of the UST system:
The integrity of the tank can become compromised, increasing the risk of a leak
Increased risk of damage to additional UST equipment, such as the submersible turbine pump
Fuel dispenser filters can become clogged with water or tank debris, increasing dispenser filter maintenance
While the material choice for individual components plays a significant role in corrosion prevention (steel, for example, is inherently more vulnerable to corrosion than composite materials), preventing water from getting into the UST is an effective strategy for minimizing corrosion in the tank.
To that end, manufacturers of advanced UST components are increasingly engineering equipment to prevent water intrusion into the tank. Spill containment manholes, which are notorious for collecting rainwater, have been a particular focus of innovation in recent years. Advanced multi-port spill containment manholes now offer:
- Corrosion-resistant composite construction
- Gaskets on the manhole and spill bucket mounting rings to prevent surface water intrusion
- Watertight, sealable spill container covers
- Water shroud systems that completely isolate surface water and condensation from the tank sump
Preventing water from getting inside the tank helps protect another valuable asset: The fuel in the UST. In worst-case scenarios, contaminated fuel may require professional remediation and full replacement, potentially costing tens of thousands of dollars in lost inventory and correction costs.
The long lifespan of USTs also means that today’s UST investments must anticipate future environmental and operational realities, including shifts in fuel types. The expanded distribution and sale of E15 fuel in Canada illustrates this trend. The higher quantity of water-soluble ethanol in E15 increases the risk of contamination. Verifying the UST system is capable of safely storing E15 in addition to a wide variety of BTEX chemicals and additives is critical for meeting compliance mandates.
Lowering UST Labour Costs
UST system lifecycle costs for installation, testing and maintenance are another often-overlooked aspect of equipment value. UST components engineered for easy installation, straightforward servicing and efficient testing help lower labour and service-provider expenses. Consider this:
Advancements in spill container engineering emphasize plug-and-play design. Certain types of double-wall spill containers can be installed in the space of a single-wall spill container with little to no modification to the space (no need to break concrete or adjust risers), which significantly simplifies and streamlines the installation process.
Manufacturers are also designing spill containers to facilitate faster and easier testing. Starting with spatial access, today’s advanced multi-port spill containment manholes and double-wall buckets offer ample access to the sump area. Additionally, the positioning of critical test components within the spill container is being optimized. Mounting the vacuum test port at the top of the spill container and making the electronic sensor and drop tube easily accessible helps ensure that testing can be performed safely and efficiently.
And while making drop tubes easy to access saves time, making the overfill prevention valve on the drop tube easier to test saves substantially more. Here’s why: To validate that an industry-standard overfill prevention valve is performing correctly, the inspector or technician must remove the tank-top hardware, break the vapor-tight seals, lift the overfill valve out of the tank, test it and then reinstall it in the tank. It’s a time-intensive process.
A more advanced overfill prevention valve makes it much easier to validate the functionality of the overfill valve. Innovations in overfill valve design enable the valve to be tested while it is still installed in the tank, eliminating the need for disassembly. This capability reduces overfill valve testing from about an hour to about five minutes. Those time savings compound for sites with multiple tanks, significantly reducing downtime and the time a technician or inspector needs to be on-site.
Establishing a Foundation for Long-Term Success
Most c-store retailers devote significant resources to maintaining tidy fueling areas, offering a wide range of convenience products and ensuring clean restrooms in the name of customer satisfaction. However, even the most inviting store environment loses its appeal if customers are greeted by vacuum trucks recovering leaked fuel. In this regard, it is critical for c-store operators to prioritize not only front-end amenities, but also the integrity and reliability of their fueling infrastructure.
Steve Stewart is the senior Canadian & Caribbean sales manager for OPW Retail Fueling, based in Smithfield, NC, USA. He can be reached at steve.stewart@opwglobal.com. For more information on OPW Retail Fueling, go to opwglobal.com/retail-fueling.
