Fuel storage tank protection system

Abstract

A Fuel Storage Tank Protection System that maintains the thermal stability for oil-fired heating systems with above ground oil storage tanks. This device maintains a system fluid temperature through a series of functions. When a thermal sensor detects a drop in fluid temperature in the above ground oil storage tank and the oil-fired heating system is operating, a switching device and temperature controller supplies heating power to the fluid heating coil. When a prescribed temperature of the fluid is achieved, the device deactivates until the next drop in fluid temperature is detected. The fluid temperature is maintained through the de-active cycle with a protective, thermally insulating oil tank blanket.

1 . A fuel storage tank protection system, comprising:
 a heating coil comprising a fluid coil surrounded by a heating element within an enclosure, the enclosure having respective apertures for interfacing with an inlet and an outlet of the fluid coil;   a time and temperature controller device configured to selectively provide power to the heating elements of the heating coil and pump unit in response to the oil tank or oil inlet line oil temperature sensed by the temperature sensor being below a predefined first set point;   a pump unit to circulate oil from the storage tank through the heating coil and temperature sensor and back to the storage tank.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the time and temperature controller device will enable the fuel storage tank protection system for approximately five minutes every hour to query the temperature of the stored fuel. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the time and temperature controller device is configured to provide power to the heating elements until the oil tank or oil inlet line oil temperature sensed by the temperature sensor rises above a predefined second set point. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the second set point is adjustable. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system will protect the fuel within the fuel storage tank by maintaining the fuel in a fluid physical state rather then a semi solid or solid state by maintaining the temperature of the fuel. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the pump unit is external of the enclosure and the time and temperature controller device is replaced by a snap or creep action thermostat. 
   
   
       7 . A fuel storage tank protection system, comprising:
 a heating coil comprising a fluid coil surrounded by a heating element within an enclosure, the enclosure having respective apertures for interfacing with an inlet and an outlet of the fluid coil that is mounted directly on a single port of the fuel storage tank;   a time and temperature controller device configured to selectively provide power to the heating elements of the heating coil and pump unit in response to the oil tank or oil inlet line oil temperature sensed by the temperature sensor being below a predefined first set point;   a pump unit to circulate oil from the storage tank through the heating coil and temperature sensor and back to the storage tank.   
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the time and temperature controller device will enable the fuel storage tank protection system for approximately five minutes every hour to query the temperature of the stored fuel. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the time and temperature controller device is configured to provide power to the heating elements until the oil tank or oil inlet line oil temperature sensed by the temperature sensor rises above a predefined second set point. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the second set point is adjustable. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the system will protect the fuel within the fuel storage tank by maintaining the fuel in a fluid physical state rather then a semi solid or solid state by maintaining the temperature of the fuel.