News

OPW Fuel Management Systems - Your One Source for Aboveground Storage Tank Monitoring

OPW UK a division of OPW Fuel Management Systems has introduced an extension to the existing Galaxy and Site Sentinel range of Tank Gauges.

OPW Fuel Management Systems' new Aboveground Storage Tank (AST) Inventory Management System uses proven Magnetostrictive technology that accurately measures liquid product level changes to a resolution of 0.25mm The flexible ASTprobe is suitable for all petroleum and other bulk storage industrial applications, and can be installed in rectangular and cylindrical tanks up to 14 m high. The flexibility of the ASTprobe allows for cost-effective installation in tanks with low overhead clearance, where monitoring was previously unavailable.

OPW's EECO Galaxyä Tank Gauging System can continuously monitor up to 12 ASTs. For sites where there is a mix of small horizontal tanks and large vertical tanks there is now no longer a need to have two types of gauges as the Galaxy can work with both types with probes from 1.5m up to the new 14m size. The Galaxy offers advanced business management solutions, providing daily automatic reconciliation of data from deliveries, sales, and remaining inventory. As with all the OPW Fuel Management Systems remote monitoring can be achieved using the OPW SmartTalkä, which provides easy access to site information for centralised monitoring of Wet Stocks.

For more information, go to www.opwfms.com or Paul Reyner at OPW UK 01858 433365.

Chris Hunt appointed Director General at UKPIA

UKPIAannounces the appointment of Chris Hunt as its Director General with immediate effect.

Ken Rivers, UKPIA's President commented "We had significant interest in this role during the recruitment process from first-class candidates. Chris Hunt had the combination of skills and experience that we were looking for to continue the work of making UKPIAa proactive, dynamic and participative organisation, as well as a leading advocate for our sector. We are delighted that he has accepted the role."

Chris, who was UKPIA's Commercial Director, has been Acting Director General for several months whilst a permanent successor was selected for Malcolm Webb who took up the post of Chief Executive at the UK Offshore Operators Association, the trade association representing the leading oil and gas exploration and production companies in the UK.

Cogent’s Launch marks new era for skills development in key UK sectors

An exciting new chapter for skills development in the chemicals, nuclear, oil and gas, petroleum and polymer industries was opened today with the launch of Cogent, the new Sector Skills Council (SSC) representing the five sectors. Through Cogent, employers can look forward to exercising greater influence on matters of education and skills, and to improving their business performance through workforce development. During the event, Cogent was presented with a fiveyear licence granted by the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, Charles Clarke.

Senior representatives from all five industries, education bodies, government agencies and other stakeholders joined in the celebrations at One, Great George Street, Westminster. John Mumford, Director of BP Oil UK and Chairman of Cogent received the licence from Ivan Lewis MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Education and Vocational Skills, in the presence of Lewis Macdonald MSP, Deputy Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning.

Handing over the licence, Minister for Skills and Vocational Training, Ivan Lewis said: "Sector Skills Councils are at the heart of our skills strategy to improve our productivity. By launching Cogent today with its key role in leading the chemicals, nuclear, oil and gas, petroleum and polymer industries, we are giving employers a powerful voice in closing skills gaps in their sector. Together we can focus on our vital skills agenda to improve performance across the board. "Cogent will work both with employers to raise the skills of the whole workforce, and with training providers, colleges and universities to ensure that their provision is relevant to employers' needs. Cogent is well positioned to develop the skills needed to build the world-class qualified work force which can compete in this key industrial sector."

Lewis Macdonald added: "The energy sector is one of Scotland's most vital, with oil and gas alone contributing around £21 billion a year to the UK economy. It provides around 23,000 direct onshore jobs in Scotland alone as well as 20,000 direct offshore jobs across the UK. If this success is to continue in the future it is critical to ensure that we continue to develop the potential of our workforce to meet the evolving demands of the industry. "I am therefore delighted that Cogent is acting as a leader for the sector, addressing the skills and workforce development needs of the industry."

John Mumford thanked Ivan Lewis and Lewis Macdonald on behalf of Cogent and commented: "Today is an important milestone for workplace learning in the chemicals, nuclear, oil and gas industries. The expansion of Cogent as a full Sector Skills Council gives us the ability to help employers provide better workplace learning and development opportunities for their staff. These industries are a key part of the UK economy and Cogent is looking forward to working with businesses,

both large and small, to grow performance through enhanced skills."

Concluding the ceremony, John Ramsay, Cogent's Chief Executive Officer, said: "This new organisation, built on the knowledge and experience of Cogent trailblazer SSC, the Polymer NTO and nuclear representatives, is well equipped to work with employers and other stakeholders to address future skills needs. It is stronger, better resourced and closer to employers than the previous organisations. I would encourage all those with an interest in the sector to work with us in developing a strategy for skills that will improve business performance."

For further information and photography, please contact: Jocelyne Bia - tel: 020 8395 3551; e-mail: jocelyne.bia@cogent-ssc.com

Obituary - Thomas Kemp (Founder Member of the Steel Tank Institute)

Thomas A. Kemp, of Upper Arlington and Naples, FL, died peacefully at home with his family on January 23, 2004 after a battle with cancer. He was born December 3, 1933 in Hamilton, Ohio. He is survived by his wife, Judith, son William and daughters, Beth, Kelley and Amy.

He received a Bachelor's Degree from The Ohio State University in 1956 and also attended the Graduate School of Engineering at Ohio State. He was a member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity and a member of the Varsity Men's Tennis Team. He was also a lifetime member of The Ohio State University President's Club. He served in the United States Army from 1956 to 1958 and was stationed in Heidelberg, Germany. He was President and CEO of Hamilton Tanks. He was also VicePresident of Newberry Tanks & Equipment Company and CEO of the Southern Company, both located in West Memphis, Arkansas.

He was a lifetime member, past president, and inductee in the Hall of Fame of the Steel Tank Institute. He was also a founding member of the Steel Tank Insurance Company and recipient of their Outstanding Service Award. He was a member of the Ohio Petroleum Marketers' Association.

For those who wish to make a donation, contributions may be made to the Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital,

Over sixteen forecourt closures a week in 2003

The latest UK Retail Marketing Survey shows that in 2003 UK forecourt closures totalled 890, or 66 sites per month. Closures were, however, effectively confined to the oil company and main retailer sectors. Petroleum Review's UK Retail Marketing Survey is published annually by the Energy Institute, formerly the Institute of Petroleum, and provides a comprehensive, statistical overview of the UK forecourt market. Data is broken down by company,region and forecourt facilities. The survey is based on statistics relating to end-2003 and does not reflect changes since that date.

The key findings of the 2004 survey are: • There were 10,535 operational filling stations in the UK and Northern

Ireland at end-December 2003.

• The number of sites declined by 890 in 2003 - a closure rate of over 16 a week,,up from 15 a week in 2002.

• Different sectors showed very different responses:

- oil company sites declined by 541 to 6,941 (down 612 to 7,482 in 2002) - main retailer sites declined by 78 to 1,231 (down 415 to 1,646 in 2002)

- supermarket sites increased by 59 to 1,126 (up 49 to 1,084 in 2002);

- smaller retailer sites declined by 43 to 168 (up 15 to 130 in 2002)

- other unbranded sites declined by 12 to 1,069 (up 213 to 1,081 in 2002).

• There were 708 quick-serve restaurants attached to forecourts (Little Chef, McDonalds etc), an increase of 36 on the year.

• Average site throughput, at 2.183mn litres/year was slightly below last year's record level. • 41.3%of sites are company-owned and branded, a decline of 3.6%on 2002.

• The number of small, unbranded forecourts fell by 12 to 1,069.

• 609 sites now retail auto-LPG (174 more than in 2002), the largest operators are Shell with 197 and BP with 167. • 63 sites were retailing biodiesel at the end of 2003, a figure that will rise to 165 by 2005.

• 2,499 sites retailed the high-octane super unleaded grade of gasoline at end-2003,833 more than in 2002.

• The four largest oil company operations by number of branded forecourts were (year earlier levels in brackets):

Esso 1,215 (1,295)Down 80 BP 1,262 (1,247)Up 15 Shell 1,098 (1,159)Down 61 Texaco 1,163 (1,337)Down 174

• Taxation of retail motor fuels was running at 48.82 pence/litre on petrol and 53.27 pence/litre on diesel at end-2003,VAT remained unchanged at 17.5%.

• UK gasoline sales continued to decline in 2003 and we are now 17.76%lower than in 1994.

• UK derv sales declined slightly in 2003 and are now at a volume equivalent to 92% of the petrol sales.

• Total UK motor fuels sales have declined to 36.05mn tonnes,down from 37.6mn tonnes in 2002.

Further details are available to the press:

Energy Institute 61 New Cavendish Street London W1G 7AR tel: +44 (0)20 746 7117/8; fax: +44 (0)20 7637 0086; email:petrev@petroleum.co.uk

The 2004 UK Retail Marketing Survey is available, priced £45, from:

Portland Press Ltd,Commerce Way,Whitehall Industrial Estate, Colchester CO2 8HP,UK

tel: +44 (0)1206 796351; fax: +44 (0)1206 799331 email:sales@portlandpress.co.uk

First Scottish Training and Assessment Centre for Electrics at Petrol Filling Station

Falkirk College looks set to be the first training and assessment centre in Scotland and the second centre in the UK to offer the nationally recognised training for electrical practitioners working at petrol filling stations.

The College is anticipating accreditation for CompEx modules EX07 and EX08 by summer 2004. This will complement EX units1-6 which have been successfully offered by the College for the last six years. However, despite this portfolio, the College identified a potential requirement for a nationally recognised qualification following an approach by a local company looking for training for electrical practitioners working on petrol filling station forecourts.

Gareth Bourhill, Maintenance Manager with DH Morris, the UK's largest petrol retail electrical contractor, welcomes the College initiative. He said, 'With the introduction of the " Super Sites " with their large retail stores, allied to the state-of-the-art fuel dispensing systems, the technical demands over all engineering disciplines - and in particular the electrical sector - have increased the requirement for specialist knowledge and training of the systems and regulations associated with the modern day petrol outlet.'

He continued, 'DH Morris welcomes the introduction by the NICEIC of the Hazardous Area Accreditation Qualification, which by virtue of the standards that must be achieved to gain accreditation, highlights the technical and specialist skills companies such as DH Morris have within their management and engineering workforce.'

Successful completion of Compex 7 & 8 by management and engineering staff is obviously vital to companies such as DH Morris seeking Hazardous Area accreditation. The fact that the only training facility accredited to Compex 7 & 8 in the UK was based in Southern England presented DH Morris with a major problem. Gareth Bourhill said, 'Through our past dealings with Falkirk College we recognised their commitment to provide a high standard of service and training in Compex 1-6 and were delighted when they agreed to introduce Compex 7 & 8 to their extensive list of training courses. DH Morris are proud of their special relationship with Falkirk College and look forward to working in partnership with them in the accreditation of electrical engineers involved with the petrol retail industry throughout the UK.'

Falkirk College is delighted to

respond to a genuine need identified by the industry itself and, in response to this initiative, a number of local and national companies have shown their support for the development of such a course in Scotland.

The only other centre in the United Kingdom, and the first to offer this type of training, is P&R Hurt, in Yeovil, Somerset. Falkirk College, based in Central Scotland, is blessed with excellent transport links to the rest of Scotland, Northern Ireland and England. Airports at Edinburgh and Glasgow and first-rate road and rail links make Falkirk an ideal venue for companies to send candidates for this very specialised type of training, which will comply with new industry standards.

The new facilities at Falkirk College of Further and Higher Education include purpose-built training and assessment rigs to simulate the correct environment for petrol filling station electrical installation.

All candidates who complete the training course will obtain a National Certificate of Core Competence, issued by JTL, the national training agent of the electrical contracting industry. The course consists of working knowledge of the preparation, installation, inspection, testing and maintenance of electrical installations, as well as practical-based skills assessment.

This course is another step forward in the Government's crackdown on substandard work which could put the public in a potentially dangerous situation. In recent years there has been increased pressure from the Government and the industry itself to take part in initiatives which will regulate training and ensure that there are fully-trained practitioners in the workplace who meet Health and Safety requirements and ensure the safety of the public. In addition, this new qualification can be included in the Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS), which will allow employers to ascertain that individuals have achieved technical competence and training in this field.

Falkirk College is delighted to be a part of the drive to ensure that the petroleum industry can achieve a nationally recognised qualification in this highly specialised area.

For more details about this exciting new initiative contact the Administrative Team on (01324) 40 32 48 or email businessunit@falkirkcollege.ac.uk.

Articles APEAAGM report, 26th April 2004

By Jane Mardell, Business Manager, APEA

The AGM was well attended with around 70 delegates and I would like to thank all of you, that were present, for taking the time to contribute.

Detailed below are the minutes from the AGM meeting held at the Marriott Northampton 26th April 2004.

1. Chairman's Welcome

The Immediate Past Chairman Ian Hillier, welcomed members to the meeting. I Hillier presented the agenda including details of the speaker presentations.

2. Apologies

Paul Craven noted that apologies had been received and that they would be minuted.

Apologies were received from Tony Jenner Cameron Forecourt Ltd, Sandy B. Debrot Fibrelite Corporation, Dermot Brady County Mayo Council, Mark Banister Poole Consumer Protection Services, Alan Stevenson Alan Stevenson Associates Ltd, Managing Director D & B Installations, John Frid, Mr. F. Meersseman TCI Environment, Duncan Smith North Lanarkshire Council, Brian Fitzgibbon Forecourt Dimensions Ltd, Ron Irvine, Dave Burnham Reading Borough Council, A G Inglis, Richard Wigfull John Wigfull & Co Ltd, JASimms, Terry Rogers, John Dallimore John Dallimore & Partners, Rob Green, Mike Silmon W O Silmon Ltd, Richard Quarmby TQIPS, Barry Thompson, Kevin Powell Ledbury Welding & Co Ltd, Nobby Clarke E & S Pumps Ltd, Prof Robert Bridges MassTech, David Sutch GeoDelft Environmental.

3. Minutes of previous meeting

I Hillier reviewed the minutes from the previous AGM on 12th May 2003 and it was agreed that the minutes were correct.

4. Matters Arising from Minutes 12th May 2003.

There were no matters arising.

5. Correspondence

No correspondence had been received. 6. Chairman's Report

I Hillier presented the Chairman's report by TJenner who was unable to attend the AGM and said that our best wishes and thoughts were with both Tony and Vanessa in the forthcoming weeks: -

'Firstly, please accept my apologies for not attending this meeting as a result of my wife, Vanessa, having to undergo surgery. I would like to thank all of you who have sent us both your kind messages of support, we are very fortunate to enjoy the friendship of so many people at this difficult time. I am extremely proud to have served as Chairman of the APEAfor the past two years, and would like to thank you all for the confidence you have placed in me. I wish the incoming Chairman, Brian Baker, every success in his term of office and am sure that he will make an indelible mark upon the Association. Throughout my period of Chairmanship, Brian has worked relentlessly with his colleagues on the Training Committee to develop and establish the APEA Training Programme, which I am sure you will agree has been accomplished admirably. It now only leaves me to thank my colleagues on the APEA Council for their loyal support and friendship over the past couple of years. I have enjoyed working with you all and look forward to the coming year whilst serving as immediate past chairman'.

7. Secretary's Report

PCraven reviewed his appointment of Honorary Secretary since last year's AGM and noted that he had experienced a big learning curve during this time. He said that on a more pleasurable note he would like to present to the members the nominations, for 2004, for new Fellows, Honorary Fellows and Honorary Members that the members that needed to be agreed. These included:

Fellows: Tony Jenner Brian Baker Hon Fellow: Barry Thompson Brian Taylor Hon Member: Robin Green

PCraven said that all these candidates had shown dedication and commitment to the APEA. P Craven asked the members for a show of hands to agree on the nominations. There were no objections and the nominations were agreed by members. PCraven told the members that only two of the candidates were present at the meeting today, Brian Baker and Brian Taylor and that the other certificates would be sent to the other candidates.

PCraven said that he was pleased to be able to present B Baker with his certificate and said he was aware of the considerable input that B Baker had contributed to the APEA and that B Baker was a stalwart to the business, especially with the work he had done towards Training. P Craven asked B Baker to step forward to be presented with his certificate. B Baker received the award and thanked the members.

PCraven went on to present the next certificate to B Taylor. He noted that he had known B Taylor very well and helped him with training for Trading Standards officers. He said that although B Taylor had been through a period of ill health he was now fighting back. PCraven said it gave him great pleasure to present B Taylor with the award. B Taylor received the award and thanked the members for the certificate and the great honour it gave him. He also said that he hoped that the APEA would continue with the good work.

Paul Craven presenting Brian Taylor with his certificate

PCraven asked J Thompson to say a few words about R Green. J Thompson said that R Green had been advertising secretary for many years for the APEA and was now retired as a Petroleum Officer. J Thompson noted that R Green had carried out good work in securing advertisers for the APEAand thanked him for his contribution. J Thompson went on to talk about B Thompson. He said that B Thompson was now retired but had been the person to set up the first database of members for the APEA and organise the first exhibition. He had been a member and fellow for some years and would now receive the award of Honorary Fellow. J Thompson also highlighted the good work that TJenner had done in raising the profile of the APEAand introducing new procedures during the last two years as Chairman of the APEA.

P Craven thanked J Thompson and noted that this concluded the report for the Honorary Secretary.

8. Treasurer's Report

In the absence of the Treasurer, I Hillier noted that all members had been sent a full set of accounts prior to the AGM and went on to present the Treasurer's report sent in by M Silmon.

'Good morning, I hope the day goes well for you all.

First can I apologise for not being with you to present this report. Some alteration to my right foot makes it difficult to move about, for those who are concerned "it is fair to hellish".

To business. I feel the accounts speak for themselves we have traded well during the year and various chairmen of our organisation will report on their committee activities.

All branches that have submitted accounts have had their capitation paid.

We have a small trading loss, I would suggest that this is because of the level of services provided to the members. In my opinion we are in a sound trading position'.

I Hiller proposed that the accounts were correct and this was seconded by R Tunnicliff. I Hillier also proposed that members agree to appoint Ensors to continue as the accountants for the APEA. This was seconded by B Baker.

9. Editor's Report

In the absence of the Editor, TJenner, J Thompson presented the Editor's report and wished Tony well in the forthcoming weeks. He noted that this had been a good year for both the Bulletin and Yearbook. J Thompson said that T Jenner had requested that thanks be recorded for J Mardell for the work she had done on the Bulletin and Yearbook.

J Thompson said that the 'Blue Book' was currently under review with T Jenner and R Hennessey heading up the committee and that the revised guide was planned to be available next year. J Thompson said that as a benefit of membership it was proposed that every member would receive a free copy of the 'Blue Book' next year.

10. Election of Officers

I Hillier asked PCraven to present the election of officers. PCraven said that nomination forms had been received as follows and were nominated unopposed for office:

Chairman Mr Brian Baker Vice ChairmanMr Bob Conlin Hon Secretary Mr Paul Craven Hon Treasurer Mr Mike Silmon Hon Editor Mr Tony Jenner Council Members Mr Brian Humm, Mr Rob Tunnicliff and Mr Jamie Thompson

I Hillier went on to present B Baker with the Chain of Office. B Baker welcomed everyone and said that he was honoured to be elected as the Chairman of the APEA. He acknowledged the work that TJenner had done for the APEAover the last two years and noted that the APEA had seen some changes during that time. B Baker said that he respected the views of TJenner and that his thoughts were with Tony and Vanessa. B Baker went on to present a report regarding his aims and thoughts for the future for the APEA.

'Ladies & Gentlemen - Members of the APEA,

I am very honoured to be elected as your Chairman, something I thought highly unlikely until recently. The accolade is indeed a privilege and hope that I follow the fine tradition of this Association that has been set by my predecessors.

I cannot however, let the opportunity go to not acknowledge Tony Jenner who has steered us through these last 2 years as our Chairman that has seen real change in several areas, not least in our image, activity and business administration. Tony is man of principle and whether you agree or disagree, his forthright views are respected. Well done Tony! I also thank the membership and Council in entrusting me with this role as well for the well-founded advice I have been given during my time on Council. There is however one person here today that I shall be eternally grateful to and that is Brian Taylor whom I am so pleased could make this meeting. Welcome back old friend.

As for me I can say that my background is mainly public sector with 22 years spent in the Fire Service, a short spell at Her Majesty's Fire Service Inspectorate and then 5 years on British Rail as a Fire Safety Manager delivering fire safety services to rail companies and taking the 'business' through to privatisation back in 1997. After which, I returned to the public sector with my present employer, Milton Keynes Council who have supported me throughout my APEA interests and I thank them for that - as I would not be here if it was not for them!

I guess if I had a theme it would be "Inform & Educate" because we all face changes in our industry, perhaps more so than in the recent past that present this Association with a number of challenges.

The Challenges In the UK, we are embarking on legislative change that will see much of our prescriptive legislation revoked and replaced with goal-based self regulation that is at the heart of the new Dangerous Substances & Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR), something that all sides of industry must soon start to get up to speed with. The APEAwill be at the forefront of this and will be launching a new one-day course on DSEAR at the end of September this year that we hope will attract major interest and support. This will also cover recently issued Approved Codes of Practice (ACoP's) that have now been published.

Next, we need to consider that petrol will not always be with us and the research is on in the fields of sustainable and renewable energy sources. Already I have seen some of the work that has been carried out for the first Hydrogen site in the UK and we shall hear later about the subject "Fuels of the Future" Again we must stand ready to meet this challenge before it arrives!

Training For 2 years now we have been delivering highly specialised courses on a variety of topics that has seen something approaching 1,000 delegates attending, an increasing number from beyond the UK. The

momentum should continue as we in the UK have some of the finest standards in the world and others are keen to learn from us. Already we have run our very first course outside the UK and bookings have been received for at least 3 more. Let us expand and share our knowledge afar.

Our membership has remained somewhat static in recent years and we should try and increase it. We offer excellent value for money and the Bulletin is always eagerly awaited every 3 months.

You will hear later today of major changes to our website that will reflect needs rather than a simple visiting tool. Steve Jones will be talking us through this afternoon.

Currently, major revisions and updates are being added to our own Joint Publication known as the "Blue Book" that will see many new developments incorporated over the last 5 years or so. I can assure you, the revisions are significant and we hope to be on track for publication early next year.

All this against a diminishing number of Petrol Filling Stations in the UK that saw the number reduce by another 840 sites last year alone to around 10,500. That said, the way many sites operate today are vastly different than 10 years ago and we need to take account of new initiatives to keep retailers in business and profitable.

So together, we need to "Inform & Educate" those within and around us and manage the changes as they occur. It is an exciting prospect and I look forward to meeting these and many more challenges.

Thank you for your time'.

11. Any other Business

B Baker asked if there was any other business. J Thompson mentioned that the APEA was considering changing the name of the APEAto include the word 'Environment' and asked the views from the delegates. B Taylor said that he would support a change of the word 'Explosives' to 'Environment'. E Furniss noted that this might lead to some confusion regarding responsibilities with the Environmental Health and the Environment Agency. C Richards from the Environment Agency said that he would support a change in name, as did R Tunnicliff. G Oldham commented that as the APEAlogo had the strap line 'working for a safer environment' then was it necessary to change the name at all and keep it as APEA. J Thompson suggested that the APEA should gauge views from the members.

The Chairman concluded the Business session and introduced the following speakers:

Graeme Warnell, BP/Global Alliance - e - based maintenance system in a modern retailing environment

Presented the development, functionality and benefits of an e - based maintenance system in a modern retailing environment.

Home page of the new APEAwebsite

Steve Jones, Fairbanks - New APEA website

Mr. Armin G. Leibundgut - Sales & Marketing Director, Export eXess Safety with eXess

Short presentation of the company eXess and their work in the field of explosion prevention .

Dr. Carlo Frölichsthal - Sales Director Export, Export eXess

Presented the product eXess®: eXess® has been technically studied for years and recently completed for marketing purposes. The product's aim is to increase security wherever fuels are stored, transported or in anyway handled. eXess® was born as an explosion suppression system, but offers today further advantages in many other fields like the fire fighting techniques or the environment protection through the HC emissions reduction.

Malcolm Watson, Technical Director, UK Petroleum Industry Association Fuels for the Future

Presentation covered current developments in road fuels (sulphur education, gaseous fuels and biofuels) and the main drivers for future change (improving air quality and reducing emissions of carbon dioxide). The main options for achieving these goals in the medium and long term will be highlighted based on a variety of studies from the oil and motor industries and the Government. Presented the new APEAWebsite The new APEAlogo was a catalyst for the Publications Committee to consider the look, feel and functionality of the APEAwebsite. Through a process of consultation a tender document was created and Fairbanks' tender submission was successful. Fairbanks' knowledge of the association allows them to work closely with the Publications Committee and the Business Manager to ensure that the features the association require will be readily available to association members and casual browsers as appropriate. The purpose of this presentation is to highlight some of the new features available on the website and to encourage the membership to make more use of its facilities including:

Events Calendar Resource Centre Online Discussion Forum Contacts Database The Bulletin Online Other reports

After the final presentation the Chairman closed the meeting at 3.30pm and wished everybody a safe journey home.

Please visit out website for the following pre-AGM reports sent out to all members in February:

Publications Branch Events Technical Training

The reports can be found at ‘Pre AGM committee reports 2004’ on the AGM page of the website.

Articles Microbes and Fuel Systems -The Overlooked Corrosion Problem -

(this article was first published in LUSTLINE the publication for New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission and is reproduced here with the kind permission of the editor Ellen Frye) By Fred Passman

This article was initially produced for a US based magazine for Regulators.

Microbes play an indispensable role in cycling both organic and mineral molecules essential to maintaining life on earth. We depend on the activities of microbes to breakdown wastes and convert them into nutrients to sustain the food chain. We use microbes to produce foods ranging from bread to sausage. Microbes within our intestinal tracts enable us to derive nutrition from the foods we eat. Suffice it to say we derive tremendous benefit from the various processes by which organisms break down both organic and inorganic materials.

When discussing material breakdown in positive terms, we use the terms of either biodegradation or bioremediation. Biodegradation includes all processes by which organisms break down materials. Bioremediation specifically refers to processes with which microbes or other organisms are used to fix a problem. With respect to leaking underground storage tanks (LUSTs), bioremediation uses microbes to degrade fuel that has seeped into the ground.

It's a short leap of understanding, then, to recognize that the same processes that serve our needs may also cause problems. The same biological processes that enable us to clean up spilled fuel using bioremediation can also degrade fuel stored in tanks. This undesired biodegradation is called biodeterioration.

During the past decade, government and industry have directed considerable effort and resources toward reducing the risk of soil and groundwater contamination from LUSTs. Although leak prevention technologies don't overtly presume that tanks fail from either inside or outside, most of the preventive measures address mitigation of the risk of failure due to corrosion or other insults working from a tank's outside towards its interior. In particular, leaks caused by galvanic corrosion have received considerable attention.

But there is another underappreciated corrosion process that I'd like to discuss. It takes place in all types of USTsystems, and microbes play a key role. It's called microbially influenced corrosion (MIC).

Fuel and Corrosion Microbiology

The first report of gasoline biodeterioration was published in 1895 [1]. Subsequently, researchers demonstrated that microbes could degrade crude oil and all grades of liquid fuel. (See Davis's excellent 1967 monograph [2] and the 1984 compilation of papers edited by Atlas [3].) Fuel biodeterioration can be grouped into four general groups of processes:

• Microbes can attack the hydrocarbon and non-hydrocarbon fuel molecules directly, thereby changing the fuel's chemical and performance properties.

• Microbes growing in bottoms-waters or within biofilms (more on that in a bit) produce biosurfactants-detergent molecules-which can transport watersoluble molecules into fuel and disperse fuel molecules into water.

• Low molecular weight molecules excreted as microbial wastes may react with fuel molecules and accelerate particle formation. Some of these waste molecules are acidic and can make the fuel more corrosive.

• Microbial metabolism of sulfur molecules can make fuels more sour (fuel souring is directly related to the effect of reactive sulfur on its corrosivity as measured by the Doctor

Test [4]).

Clearly, several of these processes change the chemistry of fuels to make the fuels potentially corrosive to materials used in UST construction. These are examples of indirect MIC.

Much of the seminal research on MIC was conducted in the 1940s. In 1945, Professor John Starkey proposed a model for MIC [5]. Starkey's model assumed that during MIC, iron ions dissolved from the metal at anodic sites on its surface. Electrons flowing from the anodic site to the cathodic site would attract hydrogen ions (protons), which would accumulate at the cathode. Were this hydrogen layer left undisturbed, electron flow would be arrested and the galvanic cell passivated.

According to Starkey, sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) used the hydrogen ions that would otherwise have accumulated at the cathodic end of a galvanic cell. This process, known as depassivation, accelerated the galvanic corrosion rate. As with most models, Starkey's was an oversimplification of the process; however, it was a major contribution to our understanding of MIC.

Research on the causes and dynamics of MIC remains a vital branch of microbial ecology. Today, we recognize a variety of processes that contribute to MIC. A number of microbes, in addition to SRB, depassivate metal surfaces. All of these microbes share a common class of enzymes called hydrogenases. The very process of colonizing surfaces creates chemical and electropotential gradients that drive corrosion. Moreover, weak organic acids can react with dissolved chloride salts to create locally high concentrations of hydrochloric acid that can acid-etch metal surfaces [6, 7]. Microbes most commonly create patterns of corrosion pits, as illustrated in Figure 1.

Microbial communities can attack polymers used in composites such as fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP) used for UST construction. As the polymers are attacked, gaps form between resin and fiber. Fluid seeps into these gaps and subsequent weakening of fiber integrity follows as the fluid goes through repeated expansion and contraction (freeze-thaw) cycles [8]. In contrast to the pitting pattern seen in steel tanks, MIC in FRP tanks is more likely to cause structural failure along a line of activity (more on this below).

How Do Microbes Get into Fuel Systems?

Microbes can get into fuel systems in various ways:

• Vent lines: All tanks are vented. As product is drawn from the tank, it creates a vacuum. Air drawn in through the tank's vent restores the air pressure within the tank to equilibrium with the air pressure (atmospheric pressure) outside the tank. Normal atmospheric air is full of water droplets and dust particles that carry microbes.

Consequently, tank venting, essential to keep tanks from collapsing under atmospheric pressure, is a major entry route for contaminating microbes.

• Fuel transport: Microbes can be transported from refinery tanks or barges through pipelines and terminal tanks throughout the fuel distribution system.

• Water in the system: Relatively small volumes of water can support localized pockets or niches of microbial growth wherever a few milliliters of water can accumulate in the system.

• UST fill-pipe sumps: These are an excellent source of water containing high numbers of microbes. When surface water fills the sump and is subsequently drained through the