Behind the scenes of filling up: How do operators keep track of their fuel inventory?

This is Veeder-Root’s fifth article in their series on what actually happens when you fill up at a gas station. Read the others here:
Behind the Scenes of Filling Up:
1. How Does it Work?
2. Gaining Approval and Getting Started
3. How does the fuel actually get to the nozzle?
4. How do gas stations ensure fuel isn’t leaking?
.

Keeping track of all that fuel

Veeder-Root

When you fill up at a gas station, it’s likely that you’re one of many people getting gas at the same time.

At busy gas stations and c-stores there are multiple transactions happening at one time. In fact, the average c-store dispenses just over 4,000 gallons of fuel per day!

With all that fuel pumping out of the storage tank, how does the site operator maintain an understanding of the current inventory, how much has been sold that day, and the amount of inventory that they started with? This basic information is what they will need for inventory reconciliation, which is the process of making sure that they can account for all the fuel that has been dispensed.

If there is a difference between the amount of fuel that records say are in the storage tank and the actual amount of fuel in the tank, then there is a fuel variance. There are two likely scenarios for the loss, either there is an adjusted loss or an actual physical loss of the fuel.

Adjusted losses accrue when key records of fuel transfer don’t match up. It’s common when the bills of lading, delivery confirmations, automatic tank gauges, and point-of-sale equipment may all supply a different record of the transaction. Contributing to the issue are tank charting and equipment errors, which can mask any actual fuel losses.

Physical loss might happen if there was a leak that went undetected, a meter drift, theft or delivery discrepancy, or even a change in temperature that causes fuel contraction or expansion in the tank.

What Can We Do About it?

The first step is to confirm that the equipment at your gas station is maintained and operating correctly. You then want to ensure that you have accurate tank charts for your site. The next step is to implement a daily reconciliation and variance tracking method.  

C-Store owners should also take advantage of remote connectivity options that allow them to check on their inventory and site status from anywhere. 

Automating The Process

The most accurate way to generate a tank chart is to use AccuChart on your Veeder-Root TLS Automatic Tank Gauge. This application takes frequent measurements and reports back when there is a statistically significant data set for creating an accurate tank chart. 

Once you have an accurate tank chart, an application like Business Inventory Reconciliation (BIR) can automatically calculate fuel variance.

BIR tracks all the fuel that enters or exits each of your underground tanks, accounting for all delivery and dispensing activity. It automatically collects metered sales information from electronic and mechanical dispensers and generates accurate delivery and reconciliation reports.  

This is our final installment in our blog series on what actually happens when you fill up at a gas station. You can find more information on every step of the process here

If you have any questions or would like to purchase Veeder-Root and Red Jacket Products, visit us online at www.johnwkennedyco.com or call us at 1.800.451.4021.

The John W. Kennedy Company appreciates your business and continued support!
JWK USA Logo

Behind the scenes of filling up: How do gas stations ensure fuel isn’t leaking?

This is Veeder-Root’s fourth article in their series on what actually happens when you fill up at a gas station. Read the others here:
Behind the Scenes of Filling Up:
1. How Does it Work?
2. Gaining Approval and Getting Started
3. How does the fuel actually get to the nozzle?
.

Veeder-Root

With so much fuel passing through a gas station’s fueling system, how do they ensure that fuel isn’t leaking?

For decades now, the Environmental Protection Agency has enforced regulations that require gas stations to prove they aren’t leaking fuel into the ground or the water supply, and there are a number of ways the gas station can meet the requirements. 

But beyond the regulations, fuel costs money – it’s the single most expensive inventory item for gas stations – and leaks or other fuel losses are costly! 

Managing Compliance

Once you’re done filling up, there is an entire monitoring system at the gas station that tests the fuel lines for any potential leaks and monitors important spaces around the site to ensure they’re dry. This system is called an automatic tank gauging system which includes a console, like the TLS-450PLUS ATG, series of sensors throughout the gas station, and probes in the underground fuel tanks. 

The automatic tank gauge system has many functions at a gas station, but at its core it provides the owner and store operator with reports that prove the site isn’t leaking fuel and provides the fuel inventory data needed to run the station. These reports are provided to EPA inspectors to ensure gas stations are complying with the regulations.

Fixing Issues Immediately

It’s important to have the appropriate reports, but leaks must be addressed in real time, and that is where the ATG console is also working like a security system for the fuel site.  

When an issue is detected in the fueling system, the TLS-450PLUS ATG records a condition result and generates an audible and visual alarm for the store operator. Employees at the site can then follow their protocol for addressing the issue.  

The guiding principle is ensuring that the gas station is safe for customers and meeting regulations. 

What’s Next?

Next week, we’re discussing how the TLS-450PLUS ATG gives C-Store owners and operators the business data they need to correctly manage their inventory. 

You can find more information on every step of the process here

 

If you have any questions or would like to purchase Veeder-Root and Red Jacket Products, visit us online at www.johnwkennedyco.com or call us at 1.800.451.4021.

The John W. Kennedy Company appreciates your business and continued support!
JWK USA Logo

Behind the scenes of filling up: How does the fuel actually get to the nozzle?

This is Veeder-Root’s third article in their series on what actually happens when you fill up at a gas station. Read the first article here. and the second article here.
Veeder-Root

Imagine you’re at a gas station and you’ve started a transaction at a dispenser. Maybe you’ve never given it another thought, but how does the fuel actually get to the nozzle?

The answer is that fuel is pumped up from an underground storage tank via a submersible turbine pump and through the fuel lines to your dispenser nozzle.

The submersible turbine pump is the powerful unsung hero of the fueling system. These pumps have two main components; a packer manifold which is in the sump space and a Unitized Motor Pump (UMP) that sits down in the tank.

Starting the Flow

  1. During a transaction, the packer manifold receives the signal and activates the UMP.Fuel Drawn Into Pump
  2. The UMP starts spinning and that rotational energy creates pressure and moves fuel up through the pump.Fuel Flows into UMP
  3. The fuel flows up through the column pipe to the packer manifold.Fuel Flows up the Column
  4. Fuel enters the packer manifold and goes through a check valve, which is used to keep pressure in the lines, before being discharged into to the fuel lines. Fuel enters packer manifold

Keeping Track

While it’s dispensing fuel to your vehicle, the dispenser is keeping track of exactly what you’ve pumped and how much that costs. Once you’re done, there are a series of signals that are managed through the automatic tank gauge and control boxes that turn off the STP and finish the transaction.  

If using a TLS-450PLUS Automatic Tank Gauge paired with Electronic PLLD, then station operators can also monitor line pressure during the dispense to ensure that system isn’t leaking and meets release detection requirements.

What’s Next?

Next week, we’re discussing how the TLS-450PLUS ATG makes sure the fueling system is free from leaks and compliant with regulatory requirements.

You can find more information on every step of the process here.

 

If you have any questions or would like to purchase Veeder-Root and Red Jacket Products, visit us online at www.johnwkennedyco.com or call us at 1.800.451.4021.

The John W. Kennedy Company appreciates your business and continued support!
JWK USA Logo

Behind The Scenes Of Filling Up: Gaining Approval and Getting Started

This is Veeder-Root’s second article in their series on what actually happens when you fill up at a gas station. Read the first article here.
Veeder-Root

Most people don’t know this, but a gas station’s fuel dispenser is connected to three primary pieces of equipment that help it run a fueling transaction:

  1. Point-of-Sale System
  2. Red Jacket® ISOTROL™ 1-8 Control Box
  3. TLS-450PLUS Automatic Tank Gauge

These three pieces of equipment make up the system that manage the transaction, calculate inventory data, and facilitate the pumping of the fuel.

The Gate Keeper

When you lift the handle and start a transaction at the dispenser, nothing happens without the Point-of-Sale System approving it. This is because a POS system must authorize a sale to allow next steps to happen.  

The authorization can be done manually by an attendant at the gas station or it can be set to pre-authorization.  

Manual authorization means that someone on site must approve all transactions prior to any dispensing. If you’ve ever been at a site where an attendant must pump all gas, this is likely an instance where they’re using the manual settings. 

In instances of pre-authorization, the POS system allows a transaction to happen once the payment, usually credit or prepaid fuel card, is approved. If you have ever gone to a 24-hour site that is unattended, this is set to pre-approval. 

In either case, the Point-of-Sale System is providing a gate keeper function in the fueling transaction to make sure that only approved fuel dispenses happen. 

Sending the Signal

Now that we know the transaction is authorized, the dispenser will reset the displays and get ready to dispense fuel.  

In order to create the pressure needed in the fuel lines to dispense it, the Red Jacket® Submersible Turbine Pump will need to be activated.  

This is done when the dispenser signals the other key equipment in the process, the ISOTROL 1-8 Control Box, which notifies the TLS-450PLUS ATG. At that point the ATG sends a relay signal to the Red Jacket IQ Smart Control to start the Red Jacket STP and create pressure in the fueling lines.

Now What? 

Next week, we’re discussing how the fuel is pumped from the tank and to the dispenser, including the different modes available. 

You can find more information on every step of the process here

If you have any questions or would like to purchase Veeder-Root and Red Jacket Products, visit us online at www.johnwkennedyco.com or call us at 1.800.451.4021.

The John W. Kennedy Company appreciates your business and continued support!
JWK USA Logo

How Does it Work? Behind the Scenes of Filling Up

Veeder-Root

For most people, getting gas for their vehicle is an unavoidable, routine part of life. We do it because we have to do it.  

And while we all know how to operate a gas pump, most don’t realize that there’s a symphony of sensors and probes working together to keep the fuel flowing safely and efficiently. 

Today, we’re tackling the first piece of the fueling process, activating the dispenser.

Car Fill Up

Gas Pump vs. Fuel Dispenser 

Yes, there is a big difference between gas pumps and fuel dispensers, even though people use the words interchangeably. 

Some countries use gas pumps, which use a pumping device inside the unit to create suction. The pump pulls fuel out of the storage tank and dispenses it through the product lines and nozzles. 

In North America, we use fuel dispensers. These units work on a pressurized system using a submersible turbine pump immersed in the underground storage tanks to deliver fuel to the dispenser. 

Activating the Dispenser 

So what really happens? The customer pulls up to the dispenser, starts a transaction using a Point-of-Sale system like Passport®, removes the nozzle, and selects a grade.  

A signal is sent to the Red Jacket® ISOTROL™ 1-8 Control Box. The control box isolates signals from the dispensers, and protects against wiring shorts and phasing issues.  

The ISOTROL notifies the TLS-450PLUS Automatic Tank Gauge to activate the  Red Jacket® IQ Smart Control Box and submersible turbine pump

Now What? 

Next week, we’re breaking down the authorization process and how Veeder-Root’s integrated site solutions work together to provide a safe and seamless consumer experience at the gas station. 

You can find more information on every step of the process here.

If you have any questions or would like to purchase Veeder-Root and Red Jacket Products, visit us online at www.johnwkennedyco.com or call us at 1.800.451.4021.

 
 

The John W. Kennedy Company appreciates your business and continued support!
JWK USA Logo

“Think Beyond the Deadline”: 5 Tips for Retailers Navigating the New EMV Deadline

Gilbarco Veeder-Root

The following is a repost of the original June 16, 2020 article that appears on Gilbarco’s blog.Gilbarco Veeder-Root Encore 700 & Passport Edge

In the wake of the latest EMV deadline delay, the views of industry analysts are lining up.

The latest one echoes Chris Whitley, Gilbarco VP of Sales and Marketing: the pressure is still on.

Beyond tips or advice, retailers might also need consider the following warnings as well. Read the full article from CS News here.

 

Here are some of the pulled highlights:

1. Consider the Costs

“Based on recent reports from retailers, some major card processors are considering charging retainer fees of up to $50,000 to cover expected fraud liability for operators that do not upgrade by the deadline.”

 

2. Don’t Count on Additional Deadline Shifts

“Regardless of the final deadline date, retailers have a lot of progress to make and an inevitably limited timeframe. Proceeding promptly is the best course of action.”

 

3. Start Now

“Whether or not an operator expects to be ready by the current deadline, getting plans in motion now will save hassle and money in the long run.”

 

4. Turn to Experts for Help

Gilbarco has “created a certification to support their specific EMV programs, designating managed network services providers (MNSPs) that are familiar with deploying and servicing their EMV compliant hardware and software.”

 

5. Think Beyond the Deadline

“While meeting the EMV transition deadline may feel like a sprint to the finish line, upgrading POS security is just one aspect of network transformation that can help petroleum retailers thrive. View EMV transition as a beginning, not an end.”

The new outdoor EMV deadline will be April 17, 2021. If you haven’t begun your outdoor EMV upgrade, we strongly suggest contacting your local Gilbarco distributor as soon as possible.

You can find more information with Gilbarco Veeder-Root’s Quick EMV Migration Guide.

 

Looking for Gilbarco equipment? Click on the links below to visit our web store :

Pumps & Dispensers
Passport Point of Sale
Gilbarco Passport Point of Sale
Forecourt Payment Options
Gilbarco Forecourt Payment Options
Forecourt Merchandising
Gilbarco Forecourt Merchandising Options

Click here to search all Gilbarco equipment and parts listed in our web store.

 

Please do not hesitate to contact us with any of your EMV questions, concerns or to place an order by calling 1.800.451.4021 or visit us online at johnwkennedyco.com for all your petroleum equipment needs.

The John W. Kennedy Company appreciates your business and continued support!

 

JWK USA Logo