Tanker Unloading System

Fluidyne’s flagship tanker unloading system product line is designed to ensure the safe, accurate and efficient transfer of liquid products from road tankers into storage tanks. The tanker unloading system integrates pumping, filtration, air and gas elimination, precision flow measurement and automated batch control into a complete engineered solution.

The performance of any tanker unloading system ultimately depends on one critical function: effective air and gas elimination. Even the most accurate flowmeter cannot deliver reliable measurement if entrained gas and air pockets remain in the product stream. Inefficient degassing can introduce significant measurement errors, translating into hundreds or even thousands of dollars in product losses every year.

At the heart of an effective tanker unloading system is its ability to ensure that only the actual liquid transferred is accurately measured and accounted for. By minimizing entrained air, product losses and operator intervention, Fluidyne systems deliver dependable unloading performance across fuels, oils, solvents and a wide range of industrial liquids.

Core Information

Fluidyne Tanker Unloading System is available in three primary configurations

Unloading by gravity

  • Most exclusively for offloading to underground tanks
  • Includes strainer air eliminator, positive displacement flowmeter, siphon breaker
  • Flow computer

  • Can be used for underground and on ground tanks
  • Includes strainer air eliminator, positive displacement flowmeter, siphon breaker and precision back pressure valve
  • Flow computer

Complete metering skid

  • Basket-strainers for primary filtration
  • Mesh options – 149/100/75/50/25/3 microns
  • Materials – WCB/CF3M body, 316 SS mesh

Pump

  • Positive displacement/Centrifugal pumps
  • Internal strainer 100 micron mesh
  • Materials – WCB, CF3M cast options

Degassing system

  • Scrubber and float assembly for air elimination
  • Materials – WCB, CF3M cast options
  • Back pressure valve

Flowmeter – The Measurement Core

  • Patented oscillating piston flow technology for precise offloading of product
  • Single rotor design in engineering polymer
  • Low pressure loss. No metal-to-metal contact
  • IECEx and ATEX approved
  • Accuracy – Better than +-0.1% and repeatability better than +-0.02%

Transmitter/Flow computer

  • Measurement of flow and totalizer
  • Custody transfer mode mode (K Factor masking)
  • IECEx and ATEX approved
  • Pulse, Modbus, 4-20 mA, HART output options
  • Clear readable display with backlight

Protection devices

  • Pressure switches for empty pipe detection
  • Siphon breaker
  • Fluidyne-patented oscillating piston flowmeter technology
  • ATEX-IECEx certified flowmeter, flow computer
  • 100% air elimination via air eliminator
  • Weights and Measures approved PD meter
  • Double case meter design above 800 LPM
  • Strainer with inside-outside flow for easy cleaning
  • Centrifugal or helical pump options
  • Suitable for liquid viscosities upto 20,000 cps
  • Siphon breaker device
  • Compact skid-mounted design
  • True volumetric measurement of petroleum products
  • Capacities – 300 LPM/500 LPM/1600 LPM
  • Higher precision than weigh bridges
  • Compatible with wide fluid viscosity range
  • Reduced custody transfer disputes
  • Faster unloading cycles
  • Built-in strainer for first-stage filtration
  • Long-term measurement stability

Applications

Data Centers

  • Diesel offloading

Petroleum Products

  • Diesel
  • Furnace Oil, LSHS
  • Ethanol
  • Lube Oils

Petrochemicals

  • Organic solvents
  • Alcohol
  • Additives

Marine

  • Fuel barges
  • Ship bunkering

Related Product

Series 7100 – Metering Skids

  • Product Brochure

  • Technical Catalogue Datasheet

  • Instruction Manual

FAQ’s

What is a Tanker Unloading System?

A Tanker Unloading System is an engineered setup used to accurately unload and measure liquids from road tankers or barges into storage tanks or process vessels. It typically includes pumps, vapor separators, flowmeters, and safety devices. The system ensures that only liquid volume is measured, eliminating errors caused by entrained air or flow interruptions during unloading.

Tanker Unloading Systems are widely used in chemical, petrochemical, petroleum, pharmaceutical, and bulk liquid industries. Any operation that receives raw materials or finished products by road tanker or barge relies on tanker unloading systems for accurate inventory control, custody transfer, and safe bulk liquid handling.

A Fluidyne Tanker Unloading System includes a vapor separator, oscillating piston flowmeter, strainer, unloading pump, batch controller and vacuum breaker depending on fluid type, storage configuration, and unloading requirements.

Yes, Tanker Unloading Systems are designed to handle hazardous and aggressive chemicals. Materials of construction, sealing systems, and safety components are selected based on chemical compatibility. Proper vapor separation, controlled flow, and enclosed operation make these systems suitable for safe unloading of solvents, fuels, and corrosive liquids.

Safety measures include vapor separation to prevent air ingestion, vacuum breakers to protect underground tanks, non-return valves to avoid backflow, and controlled pump operation. Proper earthing, leak containment, and interlocks are also used to ensure safe tanker unloading while protecting personnel, equipment, and storage infrastructure.