Numerous regulations and laws exist regarding the storage and burning of used oil. Laws are enforced by a number of government agencies. All states must follow Federal EPA regulations. Some states have gone beyond these Federal laws. In addition, local municipalities can create even stricter regulations. Therefore you must satisfy Federal, State and local township laws.

If you purchase a waste oil burner you will have to install storage tanks. There are laws are in place governing storage tanks for petroleum products.

Storage Tank Regulations:

All storage tanks 55 gallons and above must have a spill containment plan in place. The plan must be in written form and be available in case of a release.

Any storage tank or tanks in same area that total 1,320 gallons or more must be certified, tested by an engineer for thickness. This must be done with ultrasound by a professional. This process is called "Non- Invasive Thickness Testing." You will need paperwork signed and certified by an approved engineer.

Tanks should also have a dike or spill containment. Every township has regulations regarding this subject. You can expect a visit at some point from the local fire marshal. It is in your best interest to contact the fire marshal before installing oil storage tanks.

Tanks should be located so the supplier can make deliveries. Tanks should be no more than 40 ft. from the delivery truck. It would help if you contact your supplier and let them advise you in this matter.

Tanks must be clearly labeled. If used oil is being stored "USED OIL ONLY" should be on tank. Excel provides stickers that keep you in compliance.

Tanks should be cleaned. Any bottom sediment and water in the tank will plug your filters and shut down your furnace. Every delivery will put these unburnable materials in suspension in your tank. Until settling takes place, you will pull this dirt and abrasive material into your filter.

 

Purchasing Oil for Your Furnace:

Used oil is designated as a "Special Waste" by the EPA and the generator is responsible from "cradle to grave" for any used oil produced. As a generator you can burn any waste oil you produce. If you do not generate enough oil for your furnace you will have to purchase oil from the outside. There are many regulations regarding this issue.

No one can haul more than 55 gallons of used oil from another location. Any amount over 55 gallons must be transported by a Federal and State licensed hauler. Severe fines can be imposed for hauling this EPA-regulated product without proper license.

 Generated oil belongs to the generator forever. If you give oil to someone (for example, to burn in his furnace) and a spill or an explosion or any mishap occurs, you, as the generator, are responsible for damages.

Generated oil cannot be stored on site for more than 90 days. Cities, villages and local municipalities may also have regulations regarding storage of oil on site. Speak with the local Fire Marshall before a problem arises.

 The Product must be tested and meet EPA regulations for "On Specification Fuel". Testing must be conducted under EPA methodology at an EPA-certified lab. Controlled areas to be tested for EPA compliance:

Heavy Metals	EPA Limit
Lead	100 PPM Max
Chromium	10 PPM Max
Cadmium	2 PPM Max
Arsenic	5 PPM Max
Chlorine	1,000 PPM Max
Flash Point	141°F Min
PCB	2 PPM Max

Any material that does not meet the above limits is "hazardous" in nature.

 The used oil for a small waste oil furnace must be comprised only of certain type hydrocarbons. Not all used oils will burn in these furnace applications. This product must be segregated and filtered. Excel can do this with our new 3-separate compartment trucks.

Burning Used Oil

Burning used oil requires time and effort on your part. This is not a virgin product; there are issues that must be addressed.

Used oil contains dirt and abrasives that are suspended in the oil. These particles are too small to be removed by Excel's filtering process. Only re-refining of the product would eliminate these soluablized particles. This would make the product too expensive to buy. This means you will have to change your filters on a regular basis.

If your tank is dirty inside every delivery will stir up the material and cause your filters to plug.

You cannot burn cold oil. Your preheater will not get oil to its flash point. Let oil heat to at least 60°F.

Used oil viscosities are inconsistent by nature. Used oil is comprised of many different hydrocarbons. These products will vary in viscosity; thus you need to adjust your burner to accept these various hydrocarbons.

Used oil can offer you valuable BTUs and is cheaper than No 2 fuel oil but there are trade offs. The oil supplied by Excel is a quality product and will burn quite well. However, it requires time and effort on your part to burn it successfully. Used oil is a regulated product; it must be special-handled by a licensed hauler, tested and delivered. There is no "free heat" as some burner salespeople advertise.

Excel hopes this information is helpful to you. Call us for more information or for a delivery of "On-Specification Fuel".