Fuel Overview: Pumping Fuel
The term “fuel” refers to a substance that can be burned or undergo a chemical reaction to produce energy. In essence, it acts as a stored source of energy.
Fuel pumps generally refer to pumps used for liquids primarily employed in transportation, including petrol, diesel, heavy fuel oil, LPG, and kerosene. However, with recent technological advances and initiatives to reduce carbon emissions, this category now also includes liquids such as liquid hydrogen, methanol, LNG, and biofuels.
The table below details the energy that can be stored within a given mass of various fuel types, known as energy density and measured in megajoules per kilogram (MJ/kg).
What to Consider When Selecting a Pump for Fuel Transfer
When choosing a fuel pump, several factors need to be considered to ensure optimal performance, efficiency, and compatibility, including:
Type of Fuel: Identify the type of fuel your system operates on—gasoline, diesel, or alternative fuels such as ethanol. The fuel type determines the pump’s design, materials, and compatibility, ensuring it can handle the specific fuel properties without corrosion or malfunction. Viscosity can also affect the pump selected and the power used by the pump.
Flow Rate: Determine the required flow rate of the fuel pump. Your optimal flow rate will depend on the size of the tank in which you are storing fuel and how quickly you need it emptied or refilled. When calculating flow rate, you should factor in the process steps on either side of the tank. This will help identify where bottlenecks could occur if the flow rate has been inaccurately calculated.
Pressure Rating: Consider the operating pressure requirements of your fuel process and choose a fuel pump capable of maintaining the necessary pressure consistently. Factors such as viscosity and any possible fluctuations in it need to be carefully considered. The distance being pumped also has a major impact on the pressure required, and if the process covers a large distance, viscosity may affect pressure losses and dictate what pressure can be achieved.
Voltage and Frequency Compatibility: Ensure that the fuel pump’s voltage and frequency ratings are suitable for the geographical location where it will be used. Using a pump with an incorrect voltage rating can lead to electrical issues, reduced performance, or even damage to the pump or electrical components.
Mounting and Installation: Evaluate the pump’s size, shape, and mounting options to ensure compatibility with your process design. Consider factors such as space constraints, mounting orientation, and accessibility for installation and maintenance. If the pump is required to strip tanks, the orientation and mounting of the pump need to be suitable for the tanks used in the process and may require additional controls to ensure the pump does not run dry.
Durability and Reliability: Opt for a fuel pump constructed from high-quality materials that offer durability and resistance to corrosion, abrasion, and chemical degradation. A reliable pump ensures consistent fuel delivery and minimises the risk of breakdowns or failures. Ductile iron is more resistant to high pressures, while grey cast iron is often more economical but is brittle and prone to breakage upon impact.
Noise Level: Assess the noise level produced by the fuel pump during operation, particularly if noise is a concern in your application.
Some pumps may be installed in locations where a backup generator is required, such as hospitals. In such cases, a pump operating at high speed with a low-viscosity fuel can be noisy.
Choose a pump in which consideration has been given to fuel viscosity, operating speed, and noise produced. Alternatively, aftermarket solutions such as soundproof enclosures can be selected if quieter operation is desired.
