Construction World October 2015

FUEL AND OIL

MANAGING FUEL on site Managing fuel on a construction site can be a challenge. Ensuring that the correct amount of product has been received and that the tanks are adequately stocked are of prime importance. Added to this one has to ensure that the product is being dispensed correctly. Accurate inventory management is required.

A manual system using dipsticks and manual records is open to abuse and inaccurate information. Any normal dipstick can only give an indication as to how much product is in the tank. It is well known that different people will take different readings on the same amount of product in the tank. This can lead to abuse. The risk exposure on this amount can be anything between 3 and 7%. Risk Exposure means the potential loss of product that can go undetected as a result of operating a purely manual system. Other challenges are that short deliveries can occur, tanks can leak and unauthorised drawings from the tank or tanks can take place. Without any authorisation it is also possible to fill any container or vehicle. Liquid Automation Systems – one of South Africa’s leading fuel management companies has recently introduced a new entry level fuel management system designed specifically for the construction and agricultural markets. The complete systems is able to manage: • The receiving of fuel on the site. • Instant and automatic tank dipping or gauging. • Dispense fuel into authorised vehicles. • Log date and time, quantity and vehicle that received fuel. • Optionally odometer information can be included as well. The Trimlite Contoller has already proved itself in the harsh South African mining environment. A vehicle is fitted with a RF-ID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag that gives each vehicle a unique identifica- tion number. The nozzle reader is fitted with a RF-ID reader that reads the vehicle tag. The tag id is transmitted to the Trimlite. The Trimlite contains a database of vehicle identification numbers that can refuel at the controller. As an option the user can enter odometer information manually or a second option is to fit an AVR (Automatic Vehicle Recognition System) on the vehicle which transfers the odometer information required auto- matically. The benefit of this system is that it removes the possibility of inaccurate or wrong information being entered into the system. >

Once the vehicle is identified the controller will switch the pump on or open a valve to start flow. The product going into the vehicle will be recorded. The vehicle identification, the quantity dispensed, the date and time of the transaction and the vehicle odometer (optionally) will be logged in the Trimlite’s transaction database. The controller can operate in a fixed installation or a mobile installation on a bowser. The Trimlite can operate autonomously. The transactions and vehicle database can be polled with the Opti-MIM software. In conjunction with our Opti-MIM Software the Trimlite System is able to produce a variety of reports enabling a more streamlined and economically run site. • Tank levels and tank trend reports in terms of losses and gains. • Equipment consumption reports in terms of time and distance. • Consumption comparisons. • Product reconciliation reports. • Filling by KPI by cost code. • And most importantly reports that point out any exception events. Benefits • Reducing product shrinkage from tanks and vehicles. • Limiting fraudulent activities. • Improving vehicle consumption and engine life. • Accurate and on time data that can be integrated into accountancy software. • Fuel Accounting technology to make every drop count.

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CONSTRUCTION WORLD OCTOBER 2015