Freesing oil supply

[Benj]

The oil supply pipeline leading from the storage tank to the boiler is routed outside the house and occasionaly during freesing conditions the system packs up because the supply is cut off. The pipe is made of copper and lagged along its entire route. It has two filters, one near the outlet from the tank and another about halfway along the pipe before it enters the house through a solid external wall.

Does anyone have any ideas as to possible causes. The temperatures here hardly ever falls below -6 degrees. Would some form of heating line wrapped around the pipe or boxing in the filters help as these are not lagged.

 

[ogoshi]

In freezing conitions heating oil goes "waxy"and thick.I dont know what to suggest as insulating the pipe work wont help if the storage tank is exposed to the cold.All i can think of is perhaps contacting your oil supplier to ask if there are any additives you can put into the tank to prevent this happening.

 

[breezer]

I know it is a bit late, but i wanted to be sure it is safe to do so.
There is a "cable" that is designed for just this purpose and as the link shows it is being used to heat a pipe for an oil tank (so it must be ok)

i would also assume that the link is mostly for commercial premises, so a trip to your local electrical wholesaler may be the best place to get it.

anyway see this