Fuel tanker trucks are a vital link in the fuel supply chain. Tanker trucks move gasoline from wholesale fuel suppliers to retailers all over the country. Loading one of these tankers is not as simple as a consumer pulling up to a gasoline pump and filling up the car. Filling a tanker truck is a potentially dangerous situation. With so much flammable material in one location, it is important that the driver and the wholesale fuel supplier take all necessary precautions to prevent an accident.
What is involved with loading a fuel tanker truck?
The wholesale fuel supplier will have a designated loading area for different types of fuel. The driver must verify that the specific loading area matches the kind of fuel the customer has requested.
The first step in the fuel dispensing process is to hook up the tanker truck’s vapor exhaust port to the dispenser’s vapor hose. The vapor will move through the hose and be deposited into a vapor tank. In the vapor tank, the vapor will transition back into fuel so there is no waste. Removing the vapor from the tanker truck reduces the chance of a spark igniting the fumes and also makes room for the gasoline.
The next step in loading a tanker is to attach the product hose to the truck. It is important for the person doing the loading to verify that the hose is securely fastened to prevent leaks. The hose has a gasket to provide a seal between the hose and the tanker truck. The loader needs to check the gasket is in place and working correctly. With the vapor hose and product hose attached to the tanker, the dispensing of fuel can begin.
The loader cannot leave the truck during the loading process and must watch the top of the tanker to ensure there are no escaping vapor fumes. Gasoline vapor fumes will look wavy within the air. It is critical that the loading process stop if the operator sees any fumes. These escaping fumes are extremely flammable and also represent lost fuel. The operator must also keep an eye out for leaking gasoline from the hoses or from the tanker itself. A leaking hose can mean a potential spill from the tanker truck.
Once the tanker truck is fully loaded, the operator turns off the dispensing pump. With the hoses empty, the driver can remove the hoses and secure the truck for travel.
If you need wholesale fuel, contact us here at Kendrick Oil. We provide high-quality fuel products and services throughout Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico. You can call us at (800) 299-3991. You can also Contact Us via email by filling out our contact form.
