Temperature fluctuations in cold climates can cause gasoline to shrink, creating inacurate dispensing totals and costing station owners thousands of dollars. ATC is a cost-effective way to overcome these discrepancies and ensure accurate dispensing totals for everyone.
The Problem: Motor fuel contracts and expands with temperature changes causing the fuel energy content per gallon delivered to vary.
The Solution: Automatic Temperature Compensation (ATC) automatically corrects the volumes of liquid motor fuels for the expansion and contraction due to temperature changes. ATC essentially converts the fuel delivery process from a volume sale to an energy content sale.
ATC Features:
- Available in simple-to-install retrofit kits for major dispenser lines
- Available for gasoline, diesel and propane products
- Product temperature range of -58oF to +122oF (-50oC to +50oC)
- Displays product temperature, flow rate and uncompensated volume on demand
- Fast response time to changes in product temperature
- Temperature probe failure detection
- Pulser error detection
ATC BACKGROUND & HISTORICAL INFORMATION
The Physics of ATC
The volume of a fuel will increase or decrease as its temperature increases or decreases. Assuming a typical gasoline fuel density, the volume will change approximately 1% for every 15oF (-9oC) change in temperature. The expansion/ contraction ratio for diesel is approximately 1% for every 22oF (-6oC) change in temperature. For this reason there is more available energy in a cool gallon of fuel than in a warm gallon of fuel and conversley, there is less available energy in a warm gallon of fuel than in a cool one.
Consumer Perceived Losses
The internationally accepted compensating temperature for motor fuel transfer is 60oF, (15oC) and most bulk fuel transfers are currently compensated to this temperature. For station owners in cold climates the contraction of fuel while in storage can mean selling fewer gallons than purchased. For consumers in warm climates the expansion of fuel can mean fewer miles per gallon for their vehicles. Following are some comparison examples of cool and warm fuel against 60oF (15oC) fuel which illustrate how ATC can improve the entire refueling process.
EXAMPLE 1
A station owner purchases 1,000 gallons of gasoline compensated to 60oF (15oC) and while in storage it cools to 45oF (-9oC). At this new temperature, the owner will have paid for 1,000 gallons of fuel but will only be able to resell 990 gallons. ATC ensures the station owner will sell the same amount of fuel as originally purchased.
EXAMPLE 2
Throughout the four seasons, average monthly at-the-pump fuel temperatures can vary more than 65oF (18oC) across the United States. This causes variations in energy-content per gallon. ATC is a proven technology that will correct for these changes.
THE BENEFITS OF ATC
Improved Inventory Management
ATC technology allows you to sell exactly the number of petroleum gallons you purchased in any season. ATC also provides additional backup of EPA required data for underground tank integrity monitoring.
Improved Measurement Accuracy
Throughout the four seasons, average monthly at-the-pump fuel temperatures can vary more than 65oF (18oC)across the United States. Additionally, fuel temperatures at stations across the street from eachother can vary as much as 20oF (-7oC). This causes variations in energy-content per gallon. ATC is a proven technology that will correct for these changes.
Improved Customer Loyalty
ATC provides unique opportunities to gain market share in an industry where customer loyalty is fickle. By adopting ATC and providing fair energy per dollar, petroleum station owners can take advantage of the increased consumer demand for temperature compensated products and differentiate themselves from their competitors who are slow to adopt.
ATC FEATURES & SPECIFICATIONS
ATC Design Features
- Available in simple-to-install retrofit kits for major dispenser lines.
- Available for gasoline, diesel and propane products
- One kit supports one dispenser regardless of how many hoses, reducing upgrade costs.
- Diagnostics display for set up and inspection providing product temperature, flowrates and uncompensated volumes.
- Temperature probe and pulser error detection.
- Electronic Calibration available where required.
ATC Specifications
- Product temperature range of -50°C to +50°C (-58°F to 122°F)
ATC FAQ'S
Below are some of the most common questions we receive in regards to ATC (Automatic Temperature Compensation). If you have a question which is not addressed below, please do not' hesitate to contact our customer services department so they can help you resolve any outstanding queries you may have.
How does ATC work?
It compensates the pulse stream to what it would be if the fuel temperature were 60°F (15°C).
How much does it cost?
One kit supports one dispenser regardless how many products or hoses. The price increases with each product being piped in to the dispenser. An average retail cost including labor would run around $2000 USD per dispenser.
What does a kit consist of?
• Control board
• Harness adapters
• Harnesses
• Temperature probe
• Probe I.S. barrier
• Thermo-well
• Various connectors and spacers
How hard is it to install?
All the parts you need are included in the kit. The toughest part is removing the fuel manifold, drilling and tapping for the probe. This work can be prepped back at the shop. After some practice a typical dispenser can be upgraded in about 2 hours. Usually two service people working on a complete site/station.
Do you have a kit for upgrading mechanical dispensers?
Yes we do. We manufacture the Micon 500 register.