Company Profile

Gasoline Flow Meters & Fuel Flow Meter Marine Units: Spark-Proof Fuel Transfer Hardware

Quick Answer: For spark-proof fuel transfer hardware, Silver Automation Instruments supplies oval gear gasoline flow meters from DN10 to DN100. Standard accuracy is plus or minus 0.5 percent of reading, with plus or minus 0.2 percent optional. Outputs include pulse, 4-20 mA HART, and RS485 Modbus, with ATEX Zone 1 and IECEx certified versions.

Why Oval Gear Meters Fit Gasoline and Diesel Transfer

Gasoline is a thin fuel. Viscosity is around 0.6 cP at 20 C. Diesel ranges from 2 cP to 6 cP at the same temperature. An oval gear flow meter handles both fuels without a long straight pipe run. That is a real advantage on a fuel skid or a loading rack where space is tight.

We have seen this on customer sites many times. A turbine meter looks smaller and cheaper. But air slugs and low flow cause unstable readings. Oval gear meters measure volume directly. The rotating oval gears trap a fixed volume in each pocket. This gives a pulse output of 100 or 1000 pulses per liter, which batching controllers read reliably.

In practice, a fuel depot in Vietnam may order a DN25 aluminum oval gear meter with Viton seals and pulse output. A mining company in Western Australia may need a DN40 stainless steel meter for diesel service with 4-20 mA HART. Last year a customer in Vietnam replaced a turbine meter with our DN25 oval gear unit because the turbine was unstable at low flow.

For ethanol blends above E10, check seal compatibility. Ethanol can swell some rubber materials. Viton and PTFE cover most gasoline and diesel service. Confirm the exact blend before ordering.

Spark-Proof Fuel Transfer Hardware Explained

Here is the thing. Fuel loading areas often sit inside ATEX Zone 1 or Zone 2. The flow meter electronics must be isolated from the fuel vapor. Silver Instruments builds spark-proof gasoline flow meters with Ex d IIB T6 or Ex ia IIB T4 protection. The mechanical chamber and the pickup are separate. The reed switch or Hall effect sensor is fully sealed in a potted housing.

This is not a small design detail. An ordinary pulse meter without proper certification can fail an audit at a terminal in Saudi Arabia or Nigeria. A spark-proof unit with an aluminum or stainless steel body and a metallic grounding lug removes that problem. The body is bonded to the pipe. The transmitter enclosure stops any internal spark from reaching the outside atmosphere.

Marine Fuel Flow Meter Units for Bunkering and Day Tanks

Marine fuel flow meter units cover diesel, marine gas oil, and sometimes heavy fuel oil. For marine gas oil and diesel, a standard oval gear meter with Viton seals works well. For heavy fuel oil above 50 cSt, we recommend a larger oval gear meter and a heat jacket. A PT100 temperature sensor can be added for temperature compensation.

A complete marine fuel transfer package includes a strainer, an air eliminator, a pulse transmitter, and a batch controller. Air can enter the line during tank switching or pump start. A positive displacement meter counts air as fuel if the air is not removed. The strainer protects the oval gears from pipe scale and debris. The air eliminator vents air before it reaches the measuring chamber.

For a small marine genset, a DN10 or DN15 meter is enough. For a bunker transfer line of 100 mm, a DN100 meter handles flow rates up to 60000 liters per hour depending on viscosity.

Specifications That Matter for Fuel Transfer

Standard sizes are DN10, DN15, DN20, DN25, DN40, DN50, DN80, and DN100. Pressure ratings are 10 bar or 16 bar. Temperature limits are 80 C with standard Viton seals and 150 C with PTFE seals. Flow accuracy is plus or minus 0.5 percent of reading for standard units. Custody check models offer plus or minus 0.2 percent.

Typical flow ranges at 1 cP are 20 to 200 liters per hour for