The increased prevalence of corrosion in storage tanks was first noticed in 2007, shortly after the introduction of ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) biodiesel blends. Intense study has followed, trying to answer the questions of what has caused the increase in corrosion and how to mitigate it.
The cost of corrosion is immense. Normally, tanks last for 30 to 40 years, but many are now being replaced in as little as 10 years. Acidified fuel is damaging the injectors of emergency generators, putting the safety and health of the public at risk in hospitals and water treatment plants. Data centers face huge liability issues if backup generators fail during a real emergency, causing disruption to business.