Flow Meters › Diesel Flow Meter
Diesel Flow Meter
Diesel and fuel oil are metered for transfer, dispensing, custody, and engine consumption. Because fuel is mildly viscous and its volume changes with temperature, a few technologies fit best. A positive-displacement oval gear meter is the standard: accurate, repeatable, and tolerant of viscosity. A turbine meter suits clean, low-viscosity fuel at higher flow. A Coriolis meter gives the tightest accuracy and reads mass directly for custody and bunkering. A small gear meter handles precise dosing of fuel and additives. Pick by flow rate, viscosity, cleanliness, and whether you need volume or mass.
Oval Gear Flow MeterPositive displacement: the standard for diesel and fuel; accurate, repeatable, and tolerant of changing viscosity.
Turbine Flow MeterFor clean, low-viscosity fuel at higher flow; rotor speed tracks flow over a wide range at low cost.
Coriolis Mass Flow MeterThe highest accuracy; reads fuel mass directly for custody transfer and bunkering, independent of temperature.
Gear Flow MeterPrecise low-flow dosing of fuel and additives; high resolution for OEM and engine test lines.
Choosing a diesel flow meter
All of these meter diesel and fuel, but they fit different duties. Match the technology to the flow rate, the viscosity and cleanliness of the fuel, and whether you need volume or mass.
| Technology | When to choose it for diesel and fuel |
|---|---|
| Oval gear (PD) | Diesel, fuel oil, and lubricants; accurate and viscosity-tolerant; the default for fuel transfer and dispensing |
| Turbine | Clean, low-viscosity fuel at higher flow; wide range and low cost |
| Coriolis | Custody transfer and bunkering where direct mass and the tightest accuracy matter |
| Gear | Very low-flow dosing of fuel and additives; engine test and OEM lines |
| Spiral rotor / roots (PD) | High-flow fuel transfer and loading; low pulsation and pressure loss |
FAQ
What is the best flow meter for diesel?
A positive-displacement oval gear meter is the default for diesel: it is accurate, repeatable, and tolerant of viscosity, which suits fuel transfer and dispensing. For custody transfer and bunkering a Coriolis meter is the most accurate and reads mass; for clean low-viscosity fuel a turbine meter is a low-cost option.
How do you measure fuel consumption accurately?
Use a positive-displacement or Coriolis meter. A Coriolis meter reads mass directly, so the reading does not drift with fuel temperature, which makes it ideal for engine consumption and bunkering. An oval gear meter is a proven, lower-cost volumetric option.
Can a turbine meter measure diesel?
Yes, as long as the diesel is clean and low in viscosity. A turbine meter then gives a wide range at low cost. If the fuel is viscous, dirty, or the flow is low, a positive-displacement oval gear meter holds accuracy better.
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Tell us the medium, the line size, the flow range, and the temperature and pressure, and we size the vortex meter and set the outputs.