As higher percentages of ethanol (greater than 10% ethanol by volume) are blended

with gasoline, owners and operators must ensure their underground storage tank (UST)

systems are compatible. What may have been compatible with E10 may not be

compatible with a higher percent ethanol blend. Before you store or dispense a higher

percent blend of ethanol, such as E85, you must verify that your ethanol fuel path is

compatible.

The Underground Storage Tank Section of IDEM offers the following guidance based on

a review of available information on ethanol’s compatibility with UST systems, industry

literature and protocols, and published reports and research documents. Without

converting to compatible equipment, your UST system could degrade and a product

release could occur. Ultimately, the equipment and components must be compatible with

the percentage volume of ethanol-blend you intend to use.

IDEM’s Administrative Rule 329 IAC 9-3.1-3 requires UST systems to be compatible with

the product stored. Further, Administrative Rule 329 IAC 9-2-1 places certain

requirements on UST systems which include E fuel standards. Components and

equipment used for storing/dispensing conventional fuels are time tested for

compatibility and readily available through your petroleum supplier. High percent

ethanol, however, does not have the same compatibility characteristics of conventional

fuels when it comes to storage and dispensing. Soft metals such as zinc, brass or

aluminum, which are commonly found in conventional fuel storage and dispensing

systems are not compatible with E85. Steel tanks and piping must be UL listed or

certified by the manufacturer and under warranty with no indications of internal

corrosion. Some nonmetallic materials may also degrade when in contact with ethanol

such as natural rubber, polyurethane, adhesives (used in older fiberglass piping), certain

elastomers and polymers used in flex piping, bushings, gaskets, meters, filters, and

materials made of cork. In order to store and dispense high percent ethanol, fiberglass

and steel UST systems/components must be listed by Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., or

certified by the manufacturer.

Ethanol can accelerate corrosion in steel UST systems by scouring or loosening

deposits on the internal surfaces of tanks and piping. If a corrosion cell exists, the

ethanol can accelerate (scour) the corrosion cell and cause a perforation. As mentioned

above, ethanol is not compatible with soft metals such as zinc, brass, copper, lead, and

aluminum. These metals will degrade or corrode in contact with ethanol and possibly

contaminate a vehicle’s fuel system.

Tank leak detection equipment composed of certain metals (mentioned above),

polymers, and elastomers may not be compatible with ethanol. Because ethanol has a

higher conductivity than gasoline, capacitance probes may not work in ethanol-blend

fuels. Verify the floats used in magnetostrictive probes are alcohol compatible and that

the ATG system is properly calibrated for ethanol.

Here are the procedures you will have to follow in converting your system to high

percent ethanol blend:

1. You will need to verify that your dedicated fuel path is compatible with the percent of

ethanol to be stored and dispensed. Contact your petroleum equipment supplier or

Indiana certified installer to discuss converting to a higher percent ethanol blend and

ensuring that your UST system has appropriate equipment.

The following equipment/components/materials must be compatible with the ethanol

blend you intend to store and dispense:

* Not regulated by 329 IAC 9

2. Any water intrusion problems must be fixed. No level of water is acceptable for

ethanol blend fuel due to phase separation problems. You will need to make certain

all fittings and connections at the top of the tank are tight (no vapors escape and no

water enters) and that all sump and spill containment covers prevent water from

entering. Hydro-sensitive filters, although not mandated by rule, may be useful in

offering early indication of the presence of water.

3. The tank that is being converted to high percent ethanol must be clean. After any

water problems have been fixed, you must clean the tank dedicated to high percent

ethanol to remove all sludge from the bottom of the tank. Any sludge or particulates

in the bottom of the tank may be suspended in the ethanol and cause problems with

filters and fuel lines.

4. Fill pipe and access covers must be properly identified. (You don’t want the transport

driver to mistakenly deliver E85 to an E10 tank.)

to the Underground Storage Tank Section indicating the change of product that will

be stored in the UST. The form must be signed by the UST system owner. (The form

45223 may be downloaded from the above link or you can contact the Underground

Storage Tank Section at (317) 308-3064 or toll free at (800) 451-6027, extension

308-3046 to obtain form 45223).

6. You should also contact your UST insurance carrier to inform them of your plans to

convert to a higher percent ethanol. They may have further requirements beyond

those of IDEM.

7. For more information about the UST Program, contact Skip Powers, Section Chief at

(317) 308-3039 or at spowers at idem.in.gov

February 2007