Analysis of Fuel’s Amount Measurement Process and Its Reliability in Commercial Transaction

Abstract

The article considers the issues with amount of fuel and oil measurement process for transaction purposes and makes recommendations how to manage possible losses due to incorrect measurement results of large fuel amounts. All decisions are based on the general errors theory and legal metrology requirements. The focus of the article is on company and client control measurements, static and dynamic weighing of wagons and trains, alternative measurement methods that can be used to determine the product amount when it is questionable, errors monitoring during measuring instrument exploitation. The main criteria for determining measurement errors in direct and indirect measurements are identified. The interpretation of verification concepts of measuring instruments are analyzed, considering the accuracy class and errors obtained during verification of rail weighbridges. The interpretation of the results obtained with two different measuring instruments, taking into account the errors, accuracy class, and other characteristics of the instruments (e.g., by determining the amount with one instrument and making reference (control) measurements with the other) is provided. The recommendation consist of proposals for the stability and systematic errors analysis, reducing of systematic errors, application of corrections when weighing instruments are used in trade deals and belong to legal metrology field, according to the company and its client’s interests.