Apparatus and method for detecting and removing moisture and contaminants in a fuel storage tank

Abstract

An apparatus for detecting and removing moisture and contaminants from fuel stored in a tank includes optical fiber for examining the fuel for moisture and contaminants, a light source and a lens; a suction and return hoses insertable into the tank; a pump connected to the suction hose, a waste holding container for receiving moisture and contaminants; a contaminant filter connected to the return hose; and a valve between the pump outlet, the waste holding container and the contaminant filter inlet.

1 . A method for detecting and removing moisture and contaminants from fuel stored in a tank, comprising the steps of:
 (a) optically inspecting fuel in the tank for moisture and contaminants;   (b) pumping fuel laden with moisture and contaminants into a measuring container until the measuring container is full;   (c) pumping the contents of the measuring container into a holding container;   (d) examining the fuel to determine whether the fuel is substantially clean of moisture and contaminants, returning to step (b) until the fuel is substantially clean of moisture and contaminants;   (e) pumping the fuel from the tank through a contaminant filter and then back into the tank until the fuel is free of moisture and contaminants; and   (f) terminating pumping.