Sensor’s Temperature-Corrected Density Readings Prevent False Alarms
OPW is proud to introduce the Aqueous Ethanol Float (AEF) Sensor that delivers industry-leading detection of water in fuel storage tanks for the prevention of fuel contamination.
It takes as little as 40 gallons of water in 10,000 gallons of E10 gasoline for the ethanol to become saturated to the point that it can no longer be suspended, and falls out of the gasoline and settles at the bottom of the tank. This condition is known as phase separation. Fuel that has undergone phase separation can cause significant damage to vehicle engines.
"Water is the enemy of fuel. Contaminated fuel causes serious damage to engines, which is not only expensive to repair, but poses a significant customer loyalty issue for fuel marketers," said Pete Neil, Automatic Tank Gauging Business Development Manager at OPW Fuel Management Systems.
OPW’s AEF Sensor, which can monitor ethanol blends ranging from E10 to E85, detects product density fluctuations at the bottom of the tank in real time. If the sensor detects density fluctuations, the sensor will first signal the tank gauge to activate a warning, followed by an alarm, which will initiate a motor shutdown. Programmable density thresholds enable operators to address phase separation before contaminated fuel is distributed and fuel inventory is ruined, allowing them to make adjustments in a time frame that offers maximum operational uptime.
Many fuel sites that utilize competing aqueous ethanol detection devices are challenged by false phase separation alarms. OPW’s AEF Sensor provides real-time, temperature-corrected product density readings, which helps to prevent false phase separation alarms.
"Imagine adding fuel from a hot delivery tanker on a 100-degree day to a much cooler below-ground storage tank. These temperature swings affect the density of the fuel and can cause false phase separation alarms. OPW’s AEF Sensor net-corrects for the thermal changes and eliminates false phase separation alarms," Neil said.
Learn more about OPW’s AEF Sensor at Booth 6236 at the PEI Convention at the NACS Show, Oct. 11-14 in Las Vegas, NV. For more information about OPW, please visit www.opwglobal.com.
About OPW:
OPW is a global leader in fully integrated fluid handling, management, monitoring and control solutions for the safe and efficient handling of critical petroleum-derived fluids from the refinery to the commercial and retail points of consumption, including loading systems, rail and transport tank truck equipment, tank gauging equipment and automated fuel management systems, valves and fittings, underground and above ground storage tank equipment, spill containers, overfill prevention devices, secondary containment sumps and flexible piping, fuel dispensing products, including swivels, breakaways, industrial and automatic dispensing nozzles for vapor recovery, gasoline, diesel, and alternative fuels, and clean energy fueling nozzles and accessories for LPG, Hydrogen and CNG. OPW also manufactures automated vehicle wash systems. OPW has 1,850+ employees with manufacturing operations in North America, Europe, Brazil, China and India and sales offices around the world. OPW is an operating company within the Fluids segment of Dover Corporation (NYSE: DOV). For more information on OPW, please visit www.opwglobal.com.