Ancillary services (blending, additives, heating)
Ancillary services in the context of oil refined products storage encompass specialized functions that enhance product quality, usability, and marketability. These services are typically provided in addition to storage and throughput operations and may include:
- Blending Services: Blending involves the mixing of different grades, types, or components of oil refined products to create customized blends that meet specific customer requirements or regulatory standards. This may include blending gasoline with ethanol, diesel with biodiesel, or other additives to achieve desired product specifications such as octane rating, cetane number, or viscosity.
- Heating Services: Heating is often required to maintain the viscosity and flowability of oil refined products stored in tanks, especially in colder climates or during transportation. Heating services may involve the use of steam coils, electric heaters, or other heating systems to raise the temperature of stored products and facilitate pumping, loading, or unloading operations.
- Additive Services: Additives are chemical compounds added to oil refined products to improve performance, stability, or compliance with regulatory requirements. Common additives include antioxidants, corrosion inhibitors, detergents, lubricity improvers, and anti-icing agents. Additive services may include the injection or blending of additives into stored products to enhance their quality, durability, or environmental performance.
These ancillary services play a critical role in optimizing the handling, storage, and transportation of oil refined products, ensuring product integrity, regulatory compliance, and customer satisfaction. By offering blending, heating, and additive services, storage facilities can provide value-added solutions that meet the diverse needs of clients and enhance the overall efficiency and competitiveness of their operations.