When we refuel at the gas station, we often see the fuel dispenser pulling the thin and long fuel hose to refuel the vehicles. Even if the vehicle sometimes enters the wrong refueling channel, refueling is also smoothly. However, this design, which is convenient for refueling operation, has also aroused some car owners’ friends’ doubts. With such a long fuel hose, will there be a situation of stealing fuel from the gas station?

The Measurement Method of Oil storage in Hose is Reasonable

“In the gas station refueling, I see that the gas pipe is sometimes very long, the car at the end of the refueling, my oil will not still be part of the pipe left, and did not add into the car ah? This accumulation of less into more, I suspect that the gas station has a disguised oil theft suspicion.” Mr. Liu told reporters that he may pay attention to the length of the gas pipe every time he refuel. He thought that the longer the gas pipe, the greater the suspicion of oil theft at gas station, the greater their losses. What is the actual situation? With Mr. Liu’s question, the reporter went to the PetroChina gas station to interview the manager. Hearing this question, the manager said that there are actually many car owners who have the same doubts. And they often encounter them in their daily work. On the “refueling hose will not steal the owner’s oil” question, the manager explained: “The gas station inside the gun, after each filling, the check valve inside the gun will be closed, and the connection between the dispenser and the gun in the hose is full of oil. The amount of refueling is based on the difference between the value before the opening and closing of the fuel gun handle.” In other words, at this time, the oil in the gas hose does not count towards the owner’s refueling volume. So, there is no need for customers who go to the regular gas stations such as PetroChina to refuel to worry about the gas station to the oil hose for oil deduction, and there is no “disguised oil theft” problem.

Scientific Design to Ensure Safety and Reliability

Through the understanding of the working principle of the gasoline dispenser, the reporter found that the gas station in the refueling, the oil to be sequentially through the pump – flow device – refueling hose – fuel gun, and finally into the car’s fuel tank. And in the bottom of the fuel gun and hose connection, equipped with a one-way valve, can effectively prevent the oil “backflow”. So no matter how to shake the gun, the oil inside the tube will not leak out. This setting not only avoids the loss of oil, but also excludes the rumors on the Internet that “the oil gun can still come out when you shake it”. And with full of oil in the oil hose, in fact, it is also convenient for the next car can also immediately use the fuel gun refueling, without any waiting.

The manager said when they eliminate the owner’s doubts through patient explanation, some owners will also ask: “Why is not the fuel dispenser hose set to transparent, so that no one suspects?” Manager explained that the design of fuel hose should meet the oil, high pressure, static electricity and flame retardant safety requirements.

So this one fuel dispenser hose, in fact, there are three layers of design, the innermost layer is oil-resistant hose, to prevent long-term contact with oil caused by grease erosion. Made of metal wrapped layer, middle layer can make the hose high pressure, playing the role of electrical conductivity. The outermost layer is wear-resistant rubber, characterized by good toughness, wear resistance and not easy to deformation. So the design of fuel hose, taking into account safety factors, determines not any kind of hose can be fuel hose.

Strict Management to Eliminate Hidden Problems

The manager told reporters that the statutory metrological testing agency would compulsorily test the fuel dispensers of China National Petroleum Corporation’s 22,000 gas stations nationwide. All within the valid testing cycle, and the testing agency has specially numbered seals on key parts of the dispensers. In the inspection or repair of the dispenser, once the measurement seal damaged, gas station staff will immediately deactivate the fuel nozzle. Then report to the local measurement management department.

To ensure the normal and safe operation of fuel dispenser, fuel stations will conduct no less than two comprehensive daily inspections. This includes the key safety areas such as the fuel dispenser, the unloading port, the operation well, etc. The inspection of  fuel dispenser includes the self-sealing condition of fuel nozzle, whether there is leakage between fuel hose and joints of fuel gun and flow meter. Whether the sealing lead is intact and other items. The vestibule supervisor shall report the problems found during the inspection to the station manager. And the manager shall review the daily inspection point by point and deal with the problems found in time.

At the same time, the gas station also regularly maintains and repairs the fuel dispenser. They will regularly clean the fuel gun, gun bracket and fuel hose. Focus on observing the status of the components, they would report any problems found to the station manager in time. If the gas gun and refueling hoses areleaking, the gas station will immediately stop the warranty. Manager said, “Please rest assured that the fuel dispensers from Jayo Petro at gas stations are strictly managed in accordance with the relevant specifications and requirements to ensure that each fuel dispenser is safe, reliable and accurately measured.”