Kraftstoffe
FLEXIBLE LEAK PROTECTION LININGS FOR FUELS
The hidden dangers at petrol stations – environmental and health effects of gasoline leaks
The pollution of the environment by gasoline, diesel and oil at petrol stations is a significant environmental and health problem that often goes unnoticed by the public. Despite their ubiquity and necessity in today’s transport infrastructure, petrol stations pose a high risk to the environment and human health.
One of the biggest sources of danger at petrol stations are the underground storage tanks in which large quantities of gasoline are stored. These tanks, which can hold up to 100,000 litres of gasoline, can leak over the years. Even a small leak can have devastating consequences, as a single litre of gasoline can contaminate 1.2 million litres of groundwater. This is particularly worrying as a large proportion of our drinking water comes from groundwater.
However, the environmental impact of a leak goes beyond water pollution. Gasoline leaking into the ground causes lasting damage to soil microorganisms over many years. If a leak goes unnoticed for a long time, the pollution can spread beyond the petrol station site and contaminate neighbouring land and buildings. Remediation work at such a site is often extensive and expensive, with remediation costs for a single petrol station sometimes exceeding 1 million Euro.
To increase safety at petrol stations and minimise the risks, we have developed innovative solutions. We have been manufacturing our FENOSAFE FUEL leak protection lining for almost ten years now, building on our extensive experience in the production of high-quality linings since 1972.
These flexible leak protection linings, which are suitable for both petrol and diesel, are equipped with advanced leak detection systems and comply with the official requirements for double-walled tanks. Our FENOSAFE FUEL leak protection lining sets a milestone in the field of safety for gasoline tanks. As a leading manufacturer, we strive to offer reliable and effective solutions that protect the environment and improve operational safety at petrol stations.
Leak protection systems for petrol stations and underground tanks: Highly effective linings with DIBt approval
Our leak protection linings for petrol, diesel and all common fuels are installed in tanks of all shapes and sizes in order to meet the legal requirements for the storage of water-polluting liquids and to protect the inside of the tank from the respective medium. They represent an inexpensive solution for the refurbishment of tanks. By installing a leak protection lining, the tank is double-walled and permanently monitored by a leak detector.
High-performance leak protection system: Exceeds DIN EN 13160-7 standards for future-proof applications
Our system fulfils the requirements of DIN EN 13160-7:2003 and to a large extent the stricter values of DIN EN 13160-7:2016. The film is 20 times lower than the permeation values required by the standard. This means you are equipped for the future.
Optimisation of film technology to minimise permeation in fuel tanks
In the case of films with high permeation values, there is a risk that the permeate will collect in the interstitial space and condense there. This can lead to liquid in the interstitial space and is not permitted. The permeation tests carried out have shown that permeation is highest when new fuel is used. This is because the volatile components in the fuel, such as methanol and ethanol, diffuse most easily. In day-to-day operation at the petrol station, however, the fuel is repeatedly transferred, so that the volatile components can indeed diffuse. To prevent this, the new film has been designed with low permeation in mind.
FENOSAFE FUEL – Innovative leak protection linings for safe and fast tank maintenance
We produce type-approved flexible leak protection linings made of film for heating oil, diesel, AdBlue, chemicals and, since 2015, also for petrol. Our films for heating oil, diesel and AHL (ammonium nitrate urea solution) have been tried and tested for several decades.
Our petrol leak protection lining FENOSAFE FUEL is the only film approved by the DIBt for petrol, E10, E20, alcohols, diesel fuels and all common aviation fuels, such as petrol for aircraft 100LL and jet fuel Jet A-1. FENOSAFE FUEL is characterised by very low permeability and has exceeded the DIN EN 13160 Part 7 standard by a factor of almost 20 for many years.
Destructive testing: quality assurance for our flexible tank linings
In our company, we attach great importance to the highest standards in terms of the durability and reliability of our leak protection systems. To guarantee these standards, we regularly carry out rigorous tests on our products. One such critical test is our ‘Destructive Test,’ which is designed to verify the quality and integrity of our flexible tank liners. This test not only assesses the robustness of the material and the weld quality, but also the ability to expand under extreme conditions.
Our meticulous testing process can be seen in the video below. The tank liner, with an initial capacity of 1000 litres, is connected to a blower and gradually filled with air. During the test, the liner expands to an impressive volume of 300% compared to its original size. This significant expansion is crucial to assess the strength of the material and the effectiveness of the welds under high pressure.
Although the lining will never be exposed to such extreme conditions in real applications, this test is crucial to demonstrate the exceptional quality of our materials and the expertise of our experienced staff. The visible results in the video show that the tank liner can withstand significant pressure and maintain its integrity without tearing. This test underlines our commitment to quality assurance and ensures that our flexible tank linings perform reliably in real-world applications, providing robust and durable leak protection solutions.