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S T E E L A N D ALTERNATIVE  Steel tanks are Steel Facts compatible with all and N U M B E R 2 blends.

 Steel tanks are the most versatile for storing all types. Steel Tanks:  Steel tanks are strong, impermeable Compatible with All Blends and accommodate almost any design. More and more, traditional ethanol and biodiesel  Steel does not fuels are blended with blends. degrade or soften ethanol or biodiesel Studies demonstrate when exposed to derived from non- steel’s compatibility ethanol at any sources. At both concentration. the federal and state level, In 2010, the US regulation of emissions and Department of Energy  Steel tanks safely concern about crude oil (DOE) funded a study store any fuel above- conducted in collaboration ground or availability are driving this with Underwriters underground. trend. Laboratory (UL), Oakridge  Steel tanks, whether What material is best to National Laboratory buried or exposed, transport, store and The steel tank that’s compatible with (ORNL) and other entities. have a long history dispense these new fuels? today’s is the same steel tank that was compatible 30 years ago—and of safe storage for all Steel has been the top Steel coupons were fuel types. will continue to be compatible evaluated for choice of the petroleum in the future. when immersed in ethanol  Steel tanks are industry for decades and is blend fuels with added recyclable, helping now also required by the contaminants, to mimic real to protect the US military for its ethanol Independent testing has -life conditions and steel’s environment. fuel tanks. Steel remains proven again and again long-term response. the best choice to contain that steel is compatible

today’s biofuels. with high-percentage O N T H E OTHER SIDE...

 Consistent physical properties of steel Assuring compatibility

The Steel Tank Institute time period…are suitable Systems with Biofuel (STI) licenses several for use with all blends of Blends. The Guidance types of tanks, including sti fuels meeting ASTM requires owners and -P3®, ACT-100® and ACT- standards.” operators of UST systems 100-U®, and Permatank®. storing 10%+ ethanol or STI Members 20%+ biodiesel blend fuels In its Statement of certify compatibility to: Compatibility, STI asserts  “Use components that that these tanks and “all In July 2011, EPA issued are…listed by a makes and models of steel its Guidance on nationally-recognized, tanks manufactured in any Compatibility of independent testing Underground Storage Tank continued over STI-SPFA 944 Donata Court Lake Zurich IL 60047 847-438-8265 [email protected] www.steeltank.com

©2012 STI/SPFA Steel Tanks: Compatible with All Biofuel Blends continued

ORNL’s study report states that, “…mild which co-funded the study. According to the American Coalition for steel…and stainless steel were found to Ethanol, “…fiberglass storage tanks be essentially immune to corrosion…” manufactured prior to 1992 MAY NOT UL listing includes Further, in tests on in-use equipment, be able to handle .” Even some the study says that, “…there was no high-percentage blends FRP tanks made since 1992 have noted effect on metallic parts or Steel tanks that meet standards set needed modifications to accommodate equipment…” by ethanol blends. by organizations such as UL, SwRI, higher ethanol percentage fuels. API and STI are covered for higher In another study, conducted by Det ethanol blends, as well. UL states that In contrast, metal composition for steel Norske Veritas (DNV), an independent its “general listing for flammable and tanks has not changed significantly in research foundation, steel corrosion combustible liquids …includes high- recent years. E85 has been stored in rates for E30, E70 and E95 were “below percentage blend ethanol fuels such as carbon steel tanks successfully for detectable limits.” E85.” over 25 years.

The Southwest Research Institute Further, NFPA’s Flammable and (SwRI) measured the corrosion rate of Combustible Liquids Code requires STEEL-COMPATIBLE aboveground storage tanks, including steel exposed to various and FUEL BLENDS biodiesel/petroleum blends under those for flammable conditions simulating 12 months of blends, to be constructed of steel. ETHANOL BIODIESEL storage. ▶E10 ▶B5

SwRI “found no significant level of Does FRP make the grade ▶E15 ▶B20 corrosion and no formation of pits,” for biofuel storage? according to the Steel Tank Institute, ▶E85 ▶B100 Assuring compatibility continued

 Or use components “approved by the the manufacturer, not an entity such as manufacturer to be compatible with the installer or distributor. the fuel stored.” STI’s tank manufacturer Members have EPA says these manufacturer approvals posted their Letters of Compatibility must be in writing; confirm “an online at www.steeltank.com, where affirmative statement of compatibility” for STI’s own Fuel Compatibility Statement the range of fuels; and be presented by is also available.

STEEL: CONSISTENT MATERIAL PERFORMANCE The evidence is all around us: Steel’s consistent performance makes it the dominant material used in our nation’s infrastructure. More than 360,000 carloadings of ethanol were transported in 2009—in steel tank railcars. In the petroleum and petrochemical industries, pipelines, holding tanks, terminal tanks, and dispensing equipment are all made of steel.

ST EEL IS ... ▶ COMPATIBLE— with all ethanol and biodiesel fuel blends. ▶ IMPERMEABLE—to fluids of all types. ▶ STRONG—able to handle stresses from soil loads, wind and seismic activity. ▶ FLEXIBLE—to adapt to tank designs of virtually unlimited shape and capacity. ▶ HIGH IN LIFE-CYCLE VALUE—steel recycles repeatedly for sustainability.

LEARN MORE AT WWW.ST EELTANK.COM