INSTRUMENTAL CONTROL
Ancient railroad dispensers (fuel dispensers) are better to go around the tenth road. You won’t get pharmaceutical accuracy from them, but the methods of “tuning” a primitive design are well known to many generations of enterprising traders.
Modern designs are arranged differently. There is no own pump here - the fuel is driven by the storage submersible pumps. The difference is fundamental - with overpressure in the line does not form a steam plug, which is so tempting to sell at a full price. Inside - a measuring device with control and safety valves, filters (including magnetic ones) and a steam exhaust compressor. Fuel vapors through the "skirt" on the tip of the refueling gun and a two-layer hose are disposed of in fuel tanks. At the base of the gun there is an explosive coupling that allows dispersed without loss to leave the refueling without waiting for the end of the process (see ЗР, 2005, No. 10, p. 274). The farm is crowned by an electronic meter equipped with its own air conditioning system. Accuracy is the politeness of kings, even gas stations!
But TRK is just the tip of the iceberg. Before fuel flows out of the nozzle, it must be delivered and stored. The scheme is clearly worked out. A full tanker truck enters the acceptance zone and patiently waits 20 minutes - for the "foam" to settle. Large companies prefer their own transport - it is easier to observe the delivery schedule and the cleanliness of the container (so that fuel oil is not even occasionally taken in a fuel truck). Then the shift supervisor takes samples: on the mechanical impurities (visually), water (water-sensitive paste is applied to the bottom of the measuring dishes, which changes color in the presence of moisture), and also measures the density and temperature by comparing the readings with the consignment note. Only after that they open the tap - and the fuel flows through the filters into the tank - the area of responsibility of the storage group.
It would seem a little trick - to store gas in a buried barrel! You are mistaken - in the bowels there is considerable interest of both the seller and the buyer. After all, on the columns the fuel is poured in volume, which, all other things being equal, depends on temperature. On the "light" liter, the owner (as opposed to the consumer) can earn something, and on the "heavy" - lose. But how to deal with the weather? In order not to take risks, modern fuel storages are made two-layer, filling the gaps between the walls with a special liquid. In such a thermos, the fuel maintains a more or less stable temperature and is not saturated with moisture - because condensate does not form in a constant microclimate. Automatic control - the Struna-M complex monitors the level, thermometer readings and content density, displaying the parameters on the screen. A separate device constantly evaluates the level of gas contamination of the technological well, while serving both ecology and safety.
Not everyone has been given a glimpse of the earth’s firmament, so the construction of underground storage facilities will have to be evaluated by eye. Basically, according to the level of gas station equipment, a person, as a rule, corresponds to the inside.
HUMAN FACTOR
No matter how great the cost of equipment, the main value of the complex is people. Unnecessary or random here. Even the full-time operators of the fuel dispensers, who replaced in the late 90s
earned money on the distribution of homeless people and African-Americans, - graduates. After all, everyone listened to a special course on the rules of conduct with the client, general and fire safety. Deutscher will not last long - the video surveillance system allows you to control the operation of each post. Particular attention to the box office. Here, not only the process of buying and selling a service is recorded on video, but also the testimony of a cash register. In which case time (within 14 days) can easily be reversed! And they say the word is not a sparrow …
SYSTEMS APPROACH
Whatever the inner voice prompts, it is better to trust the logic in choosing a gas station. If the upcoming acquaintance is a cap, you can focus on the popular brand and modern fuel dispensers. If you are looking for a “narrowed” for life, take a closer look.
In any case, it is necessary to begin with a sign. Oil companies selling their own goods are preferred. A popular name is expensive and carefully guarded. Holders of such names even acquired laboratories for sudden quality checks - their own fuel at their own gas stations.
True, branded gas station may not belong to the company, work under its sign - under the contract. Alas, some unscrupulous partners have compromised the idea - and cooperation has gradually subsided. The name of the true owner can be read on the fuel passport (the document must be put on public display), a license or a cash receipt.
The number of posts and grades of fuel does not mean anything. Maybe there simply was not enough space for gas stations, and there is no demand for A-80 gasoline. But the complex of any size, both inside and outside, should sparkle brightly with cleanliness. And the customer is pleased, and safety at altitude - spilled fuel, for example, is flammable.
Look at the work of the dispenser operators. Only a trained person knows where to put the cork of the filler neck (a varnished body is far from the best place). It’s good if the management supervises the staff - make sure there are security cameras.
The complaint book is not so relevant today - the hotline is much better! Her phones should be stuck in the most prominent places - pay attention!
A few words about the payment system. Someone thinks that they are taking money forward because of mistrust. Like, floods - and wound up! Not at all. After all, we now live both schemes - before and after. It’s just that it’s more convenient to pay after if you fill up a full tank (it is not known how much fuel will fit there), as long as the volume or amount is known. To pay, you don’t have to wait for the end of the refueling, but time is money!
On prices: in the district, one liter is almost the same for everyone (additional services, as a rule, are not included in the price of fuel). And it’s dangerous to chase cheapness - a substitute will not poison his car for a short time.
VOTING RIGHT
Inspired by the idea to find the perfect feeding trough for our iron horse, we, without delay, set to work. In the walking distance from the geographical center of one of the capital’s microdistricts, eight petrol stations were counted. Separate elements of civilization were present everywhere, but, alas, they could not fully satisfy the fastidious customers anywhere. Let's start with the brands: out of two YUKOS, two LUKOIL and one Sibneft, not a single owner was found, all were rented. The meaning of borrowing to personnel remained unknown - it seems that the “name” has a beneficial effect on fuel quality. But it seemed to us that this is a good way to circumvent corporate standards. They do so - somewhere they do not hang up passports for fuel, somewhere they saved on refueling (we somehow know that a specially trained person is a safety factor!), Somewhere they do not let us go to the toilet.
However, almost everyone is experimenting with additional equipment, although not in such extreme forms. Take, say, a post for free swap wheels. Anyone can press a button on a neat box. But it is worth dismantling the casing - you see, the bare compressor head with the receiver and hoses starts to scare away an unprepared client. Of course, the tanker will do everything in a small bribe. And this is not the worst option. At one of the gas stations, the post was wrapped up with a rusty chain, and at the other, it was covered with a cover with the inscription “temporarily not working”. Either the resource is protected, or there is nowhere to put the money …
Public safety systems are represented by video cameras, security, window grills and laminated mirror glasses. From the side of the mirror, it is more attractive than gratings, but the impression is deceptive. In conversation with one's own reflection, there is still something degrading. Technological safety is not so obvious. In some places, fire extinguishers look like dyes painted with a brush, a lightning rod is imitated by a piece of wire on a lighting pole, and puddles of a suspicious appearance are found even at solid gas stations. The staff assures that it is water - condensate from automobile air conditioners. It’s all the same scary - suddenly gasoline, and after all under the car - a red-hot converter!
However, there is a sure way to console yourself, without departing from the cash register - the choice of alcoholic beverages in other convenience stores is amazing. There is everything from “varnished” beer and popular vodka to fine cognacs and exotic tequila. Do not want, but drink. Those who are not friends with the green snake are offered to buy several varieties of fragrant cigars or purchase a hookah with a set of potions. Not a gas station, but Chinatown!
