What device can I use to separate water from Paraffin/heating oil?

[mart]

I`ve got one of them Sheen X300 flame guns for burning weeds etc in the garden. I`ve had it about 2 years and am quite familiar with using it. I`ve started using it again this season, and after a a short period the flame just goes out.

The fault diagnostics in the instruction manual states water in the paraffin, and advises filtering the fuel. (I actually use heating oil which is very similar but a lot cheaper). I think they mean separating the fuel from the water when they use the term filtering. I`m assuming the fuel floats on water (like oil does), and what I basically need is a simple device with a valve on the bottom to run the water off? Does such a device exist?

I can only assume that water in the fuel is the result of condensation from the winter months.

 

[Kent]

Correct condensation. Something I am struggling with at present with my storage tank. The two can mix and don't burn well so my boiler is going out a lot

Cure is ditch the tank, phoned all over to the specialists and they only do real big ones and mine is only 2500 litres

Oftec recon 20 years from a tank before contamination and bacteria screw it up and it's time for a new one

 

[mart]

Regarding your problem, would condensation still be an issue in a plastic tank, or is it only an issue with metal fuel storage tanks? I can see how your problem is a concern, especially if the boiler is going out in winter. I hope you are able to source a suitable tank.

 

[sardine]

Put the fuel in clear 25 litre containers and leave to settle, then syphon off the fuel from just above the water, run it through a filter on the syphon hose while your there.

Mix all the dregs into one container and let that settle out, then drain that off too.

Get a 1000 litre plastic IBC container for £40 if you want a small tank.

The home heating oil storage tanks and Diesel tanks on boats I have cut up for salvage have all been the same inside, the bottom is corroded but the rest is pristine bright steel, cut the bottom off, and stick a new sheet on and its good to go again.

 

[wookie]

I know these work with diesel fuel that's contaminated, I'd have thought it would work with heating oil/parafin.

you need to search for "fuel filter funnel water separator"

 

[julianthegypsy]

Correct condensation. Something I am struggling with at present with my storage tank. The two can mix and don't burn well so my boiler is going out a lot

Cure is ditch the tank, phoned all over to the specialists and they only do real big ones and mine is only 2500 litres

Oftec recon 20 years from a tank before contamination and bacteria screw it up and it's time for a new one

Doesn't it have a drain tap on the bottom? On a tank that size there's probably several gallons of accumulated water at the bottom that should just drain off. If its a fullish tank and you can't drain it, someone with a mobile centrifuge setup should be able to wash the fuel for you, a little one does 200 litres an hour, so worth coming out I would have thought...

 

[julianf]

mart, what volume are you dealing with?

no point in looking at large scale solutions if you only have a little to process

(i make methylesters from triglycerides here, and water really makes a mess of the transesterification reaction)

 

[colnerov]

Hi, You could try putting Methylated spirits in it, it soaks up the water and then gets burnt with the rest of the fuel. Bio/Ethanol fuel generates it in fuel tanks in the car and that is the solution. Would work easily in the burner but a storage tank would need a bit more research as to quantities. Some cars have fuel filters with a water drain off valve on the bottom so one of those could be plumbed in for the boiler.

Colin

 

[colnerov]

Hi, ISTR that fuel storage tanks don't draw from the very bottom, They cater for the generation of water by drawing from above a predicted water level, presumably why there's a suggested life span.

Colin

 

[addjunkie]

Look for a temporary motorcycle fuel tank see through bottle that hangs up with a drain pipe to tie into the carbs when working on bikes. Or light your weed burner now and again in winter.

 

[wilbur]

Oftec recon 20 years from a tank before contamination and bacteria screw it up and it's time for a new one

Trade association of companies supplying oil tanks recommends that people buy new oil tanks...

I suppose we should be glad that they had the decency to say 20 years and not 10.

 

[Screwdriver]

I actually use heating oil which is very similar but a lot cheaper

I rather suspect that will be the problem, masquerading as "water in the fuel" according to your troubleshooting guide because it will almost certainly be a much lower grade of fuel...

 

[brightspark]

ive got a sheen weed burner there crap .anyone want it they can have it free I use a 10 lb propane bottle and a Sievert gun with gas economiser trigger and a big roof burner on it. much faster and no hassle

 

[colnerov]

(I actually use heating oil which is very similar but a lot cheaper).

Hi, as screwdriver says that may be the problem, are you using 28 second (paraffin) or 35 second (diesel)?

Colin

 

[insomniac]

mix 2 parts diesel/heating oil to 1 part petrol for homemade paraffin Works in greenhouse heaters and vintage tractors

 

[JEZGUZ]

I've got a Sheen torch as well, what I've found is that paint or rust from the tank clogs the jet. Take the jet off (square socket required) and you will probably find it's blocked up, give it a clean out and it'll be fine(until it blocks up again after another hours use)

 

[penfold]

I rather suspect that will be the problem, masquerading as "water in the fuel" according to your troubleshooting guide because it will almost certainly be a much lower grade of fuel...

I've had this; you can run them on 28 sec oil but its very finicky compared to running on paraffin, they tend to overheat and blow themselves out unless you've got the adjustment spot on. I suspect a play with the jet size might sort it out but given how little use it gets I've not bothered. The stuff its designed to use is BS2869 C1(what was sold years ago as pink paraffin or Esso Blue), 28 sec oil is BS2869 C2.

 

[norlander]

ive got a sheen weed burner there crap .anyone want it they can have it free I use a 10 lb propane bottle and a Sievert gun with gas economiser trigger and a big roof burner on it. much faster and no hassle

Snap! thats wot I got, I got me propy bottle on on of them barrow thingys removal men use.
The only sheen I know of that was any good at blowing weeds away with fuely thingies was No7- Barry,( RIP.)

But anyway, why not just drain the tank and refill with fresh correct fuel and run a tank of that through it?

 

[WorkshopChris]

Correct condensation. Something I am struggling with at present with my storage tank. The two can mix and don't burn well so my boiler is going out a lot

Dont know if this would be any use to you:-
https://www.newpig.com/pig/UK/pig-water-hog-skm408?cm_cat=static_browse

i have used there products before and they are very good, haven't used this one but i have every faith in it.
will be putting one in our new storage tank.

Might be worth a look.

mix 2 parts diesel/heating oil to 1 part petrol for homemade paraffin Works in greenhouse heaters and vintage tractors

Have also mixed a little white spirit in to thin 28 seconds down to a similar viscosity to paraffin.

 

[Kent]

Regarding your problem, would condensation still be an issue in a plastic tank, or is it only an issue with metal fuel storage tanks? I can see how your problem is a concern, especially if the boiler is going out in winter. I hope you are able to source a
suitable tank.

Condensation is formed in anything unventilated regardless
Think tents. Greenhouses. Even homes plastic isnt cure it's just better than cold metal