Industry — Petroleum & Fuel Transfer
Rotary Gear Pumps for Petroleum & Fuel Transfer
Ductile iron gear pumps engineered for reliable fuel terminal transfer, tanker truck loading and unloading, diesel distribution, crude oil handling, and lubricant packaging operations worldwide.
Why Rotary Gear Pumps for Petroleum and Fuel Transfer
Petroleum and fuel transfer operations demand pumps that maintain consistent flow rates across a wide viscosity range — from light gasoline to heavy fuel oil. NAPCO rotary gear pumps excel in this domain because of their proven design, cost-effectiveness, and field serviceability.
Unlike centrifugal pumps that lose efficiency with higher viscosity, gear pumps actually improve performance as fluid thickness increases. Self-priming design eliminates need for external priming equipment at tank connections. Bi-directional operation simplifies loading and unloading without system modifications.
Self-Priming
Draw petroleum directly from tank bottoms without external vacuum equipment. No foot valves or external priming required.
Bi-Directional
Same pump handles loading and unloading operations. Reverse rotation without plumbing changes — ideal for tanker truck operations.
High Viscosity Range
Consistent flow from gasoline (0.6 cSt) to heavy fuel oil (5000+ cSt). Volumetric efficiency improves with viscosity.
Field-Serviceable
Complete rebuild with factory repair kits. No factory return required — remote mine sites and terminals can maintain equipment in-house.
Ductile Iron Construction — Cost-Effective Standard for Fuel Service
NAPCO’s standard recommendation for petroleum and fuel transfer is ductile iron pump construction with a ductile iron shaft. Ductile iron provides excellent corrosion resistance to all petroleum products, diesel, gasoline, crude oil, and standard lubricating oils. The cost is significantly lower than stainless steel alternatives while maintaining long service life.
Standard nitrile gears are adequate for all conventional fuel grades and petroleum products. Stainless steel construction is recommended only for specialized applications involving chemically enhanced biofuel blends or military specification fuels with aggressive additives.
A NAPCO ductile iron gear pump is deployed in fuel terminals globally, from tropical climates to arctic environments. Routine preventive maintenance and moisture control ensure reliable performance for decades.
Recommended Pumps for Petroleum and Fuel Transfer
PA300C — 3″ Ductile Iron
High-capacity pump for bulk fuel terminal operations, tanker truck loading, large-scale lubricant transfer, and refinery process applications.
| Max Flow | 158 GPM @ 280 RPM |
| Flow @ 100 PSI | 140 GPM |
| Max Pressure | 100 PSI |
| Housing | Ductile Iron |
| Shaft | Ductile Iron |
| Weight | 173 lbs |
PA200C — 2″ Ductile Iron
Smaller displacement option for medium-capacity operations, truck-mounted units, portable transfer equipment, and fuel dispensing systems.
| Max Flow | 69 GPM @ 190 RPM |
| Flow @ 100 PSI | 60 GPM |
| Max Pressure | 100 PSI |
| Housing | Ductile Iron |
| Shaft | Ductile Iron |
| Weight | 114 lbs |
Stainless Steel Option Available
For applications involving chemically enhanced fuels, biofuel blends, or aggressive chemical additives, NAPCO offers PA300S and PA200S stainless steel configurations. Stainless steel provides maximum corrosion resistance and is recommended for uncertain fluid chemistry or marine/coastal installations.
Stainless steel versions cost 15-20% more than ductile iron equivalents. Select stainless only when environmental conditions or fluid chemistry genuinely require it. For standard petroleum and fuel grades, ductile iron is the cost-effective choice.
Petroleum and Fuel Transfer Applications
- —Bulk fuel terminal transfer — rapid loading of multiple fuel grades
- —Tanker truck loading and unloading — self-contained truck-mounted systems
- —Diesel distribution — secondary distribution from terminal to local markets
- —Crude oil handling — exploration and production facilities
- —Lubricant packaging — precise metering into containers and drums
- —Fuel dispensing systems — automated pump-to-vehicle systems
- —Waste oil collection — transfer of used motor oil for recycling
- —Refinery process transfer — intermediate product pumping and blending
System Design Considerations
NAPCO engineers work with petroleum terminal operators to design complete transfer systems. Key considerations include inlet strainer sizing, discharge hose diameter, relief valve settings, thermal management for high-viscosity fluids, and metering accuracy for custody transfer.
Our technical team can provide detailed system sizing, equipment selection, and commissioning support to ensure optimal performance and reliability in your fuel transfer operations.
Related Technical Resources
Rotary Gear Pump vs. Centrifugal Pump
Why rotary gear pumps handle wide fuel viscosity ranges better than centrifugal pump alternatives.
Positive Displacement Pump Comparison
Gear vs. vane vs. piston pumps — why rotary gear is ideal for petroleum and fuel transfer.
How to Size a Rotary Gear Pump
Step-by-step sizing guide with flow rate, pressure, and viscosity considerations for fuel transfer applications.
Discuss Your Petroleum or Fuel Transfer Application
Send NAPCO your required flow rate, system pressure, fuel type, and operating conditions. Our engineering team will recommend the optimal pump configuration and system design for your fuel transfer application.