Each piece of equipment within a fueling station carries out an important and specialized purpose. Collectively, this equipment must function as a whole to distribute fuel in the most efficient and safest way possible. This is why it is important to ensure you have all of the necessary equipment for your fueling station, and one critical piece of equipment is the fuel delivery coupling.
Fuel delivery couplings are vital to a fueling operation, but are often the unsung heroes of fuel equipment because they are the “middle man” for delivering fuel. Couplings are cylindrically shaped with an opening on each end that connects fuel-delivery transport-truck hoses to the fill pipe or nozzle of an above ground storage tank (AST). The top of the coupling fits the flow nozzle, which allows fuel to flow through and out the bottom of the coupling to a spout adaptor. The fuel is then able to enter the AST.
While fuel delivery couplings generally function the same, there are key features to consider. One area of consideration is the location of the AST. Is the environment dusty or sandy? Is it going to be located on a construction site? Will the local climate be hot and humid? If you said yes to any of these questions, a fuel delivery coupling with the capability to fit a dust plug might be a wise choice. This is because dust plugs protect couplings from dust, debris and water – keeping the tank free from environmental contaminants.
Security is another factor to consider when choosing a fuel delivery coupling. If your fueling station does not have overnight security, it might be wise to invest in a lockable dust cap. This can be secured on the fuel coupling and locked when it is not in use, deterring theft in addition to protecting fuel from the elements.
While fuel delivery couplings may be small, they have a big job to do. They are the gateway to making sure fuel is delivered quickly and safely. Without this crucial piece of equipment, fuel could be contaminated or lost.
To learn more about the variety of fuel delivery couplings, click here.
To learn more about OPW, contact your local OPW Sales Representative or OPW Distributor.