Tank-Truck Technology for both the site operator and delivery company .
• Wrong product loaded into wrong trailer compartment : This is the inverse of the first error , but can have the same deleterious consequences for both the site operator and delivery company : site shutdown and expensive cleanup , maintenance and disposal costs . A delivery company that develops a reputation for regularly being the victim of fuel mis-drops is one that probably won ’ t be in business for very long .
• Compartment loaded with contaminated fuel at terminal : This error takes place when a malfunction occurs in the terminal ’ s loading system or if there is an incomplete cleanout of the loading system ’ s hoses , elbows and adaptors . If this fouled fuel makes it to the retail site , a revenue-robbing shutdown is likely to occur , along with the potential for contaminated fuel reaching a customer ’ s fuel tank , which brings with it a whole new set of headaches for the retailer .
• Product retain results in mixed product : A series of factors can lead to this error occurring , including unplanned loss of air pressure on the trailer ; an unlevel parking surface that can cause fuel to be left in the compartment ; the driver forgets to unload a compartment ; and the driver halts the unloading process too soon . Occurrences like these are harder to detect with analog tank-monitoring systems , or by the performance of a manual “ bucket test ” at the conclusion of the unloading process .
• Fuel retain results in disputed delivery amount : Everyone wants to get what they pay for , but if the delivery process is dogged by fuel-retain errors , then the retailer can rightly question if the listed amount of fuel on the bill of lading has actually found itself into the storage tanks . Again , if disputed deliveries happen too often – especially with the same customer – the success of the delivery business can be put in peril .
• Fuel retain results in overfill condition : Product overfills can be dangerous and costly to the delivery company , its drivers , the fueling site and the sur-
26 FEBRUARY 2022 | FUEL OIL NEWS | www . fueloilnews . com