Fuel transfer pumps provide safe, reliable movement of diesel, petrol, kerosene, aviation fuel, HVO, biodiesel, fuel oil and lubricating oil between storage tanks, road tankers, process equipment, generators, vessels and dispensing systems.
Different fuels vary considerably in viscosity, lubricity, volatility and flammability. AxFlow supplies rotary vane, internal gear, centrifugal, AODD, magnetic drive and canned motor pumps, allowing each fuel-transfer system to be matched to the liquid, flow, pressure and installation requirements.
What Is a Fuel Transfer Pump?
A fuel transfer pump moves liquid fuel from one container, tank or process stage to another. It is used for bulk transfer and circulation rather than the high-pressure fuel injection performed inside an engine.
Typical duties include:
- Tank-to-tank fuel transfer
- Road and rail tanker loading or unloading
- Diesel day-tank filling
- Generator and boiler fuel supply
- Marine bunkering
- Refinery and terminal transfer
- Fuel-oil circulation
- Aviation-fuel handling
- Fuel recovery and decanting
“Fuel transfer pump” describes the application rather than one pump technology. The correct design depends on the specific fuel and operating conditions.
Why Does Fuel Transfer Require a Specialist Pump?
Flammable Vapours
Petrol and other volatile fuels can release vapour capable of forming an explosive atmosphere when mixed with air.
Where the site’s hazardous-area assessment identifies an explosive atmosphere, the pump, motor, controls and accessories must have certification and equipment markings suitable for the classified area. ATEX suitability should be confirmed for the complete pump package rather than the motor alone.
Fuel Viscosity and Temperature
Petrol, kerosene and aviation fuel are low-viscosity liquids, while heavy fuel oil can be much thicker and may require heating before transfer.
Pump performance must be assessed at the lowest and highest expected fuel temperatures. A pump selected for warm fuel oil may not provide adequate suction or flow during a cold start.
Volatility and NPSH
Volatile fuels may begin to vaporise if pressure falls too low in the suction line. This can cause:
- Cavitation
- Vapour locking
- Unstable flow
- Loss of prime
- Reduced pump performance
Suction pressure, tank level, pipe losses, fuel temperature and vapour pressure must all be considered when selecting the pump.
Material Compatibility
Fuel composition can affect seals, elastomers, vanes, diaphragms and other wetted components.
Compatibility should be checked for the exact fuel or blend, particularly when handling:
- Biodiesel blends
- HVO
- Petrol containing ethanol
- Aviation fuels
- Fuel additives
- Recovered or contaminated fuel
| Pump technology | Best suited to | Key considerations |
| Rotary vane pumps | Diesel, petrol, kerosene, jet fuel, fuel oil and loading or unloading duties | Strong suction and consistent positive-displacement flow; confirm materials and seal selection |
| Internal gear pumps | Fuel oil, lubricating oil and more viscous clean fuels | Close internal clearances require clean liquid and suitable overpressure protection |
| Centrifugal pumps | Continuous, high-flow transfer of clean, low-viscosity fuel | Requires suitable suction conditions and careful NPSH assessment |
| AODD pumps | Portable, intermittent, drum, IBC and recovery duties | Pulsating flow, compressed-air demand and diaphragm compatibility must be considered |
| Magnetic drive pumps | Clean fuels requiring enhanced containment | Internal bearings usually depend on the pumped liquid for cooling and lubrication |
| Canned motor pumps | Volatile or hazardous fuels where high containment is required | Minimum flow, internal circulation and vapour conditions must be reviewed |
Fuel Transfer Pump Applications
Diesel and HVO Transfer
Diesel and HVO pumps are used for bulk storage, generator supply, plant refuelling, agricultural equipment and marine fuel systems.
Rotary vane pumps are commonly considered because they offer self-priming performance and relatively consistent delivery across changing system pressures.
Petrol and Light-Fuel Transfer
Petrol and similar light fuels are volatile and highly flammable. Pump selection must consider:
- Vapour pressure
- Hazardous-area classification
- Static control
- Seal or sealless containment
- Suction conditions
- Fuel-compatible materials
Petrol can release flammable vapour at low temperatures, making ignition-source control essential.
Kerosene and Aviation Fuel
Pumps used for kerosene or aviation fuel must provide dependable transfer without introducing unacceptable contamination.
The selected materials, seals, filtration and installation should comply with the operator’s fuel-quality and project requirements.
Heavy Fuel Oil
Heavy fuel oil may require a positive displacement pump because its viscosity can be too high for efficient centrifugal pumping.
Internal gear or rotary vane pumps are commonly selected, sometimes with heating jackets or heated pipework to maintain a pumpable viscosity.
Marine and Offshore Fuel Transfer
Marine applications include:
- Bunkering
- Fuel storage transfer
- Day-tank filling
- Lubricating-oil circulation
- Generator fuel supply
- Recovered-oil transfer
The pump must suit the vessel’s available space, fuel viscosity, hazardous-area requirements and classification or project standards.
Tanker Loading and Unloading
Fuel loading and unloading pumps require strong suction performance, reliable flow and suitable overpressure protection.
The system should also address bonding, earthing, hose compatibility, emergency isolation and spill containment.
How to Choose a Fuel Transfer Pump
Selecting the right fuel pump starts with the exact liquid and required duty.
Consider:
- Fuel type – Confirm the fuel, blend, additives and possible contamination.
- Flow and pressure – Define the required transfer rate and total system resistance.
- Viscosity and temperature – Use values covering cold start and normal operation.
- Suction conditions – Check lift, pipe losses, tank level, NPSH and vapour risk.
- Materials – Verify compatibility of seals, elastomers and all wetted components.
- Installation area – Confirm DSEAR, ATEX and site-specific requirements where applicable.
- Control and protection – Consider relief valves, dry-running protection, leak detection and emergency shutdown.
Positive displacement fuel pumps should have suitable overpressure protection because pressure can continue to rise against a blocked or closed discharge.
Why buy pumps for fuel transfer from AxFlow
AxFlow's expertise lies in addressing the unique challenges associated with each fuel type, providing reliable and safe pumping solutions for diverse applications in the fuel industry
Our selection of UK available fuel transfer pump applications are varied. All pumps require ATEX certification however the flows, pressures and pumping characteristics tend to be relatively different.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best pump for diesel transfer?
Rotary vane pumps are commonly used for diesel transfer because they provide strong suction, self-priming operation and consistent positive-displacement flow. Gear, centrifugal and AODD pumps may also be suitable depending on flow, pressure and installation.
Can the same pump transfer diesel, petrol and biodiesel?
Not automatically. These fuels differ in volatility, lubricity and chemical composition. The pump materials, seals, elastomers, hazardous-area rating and hydraulic performance must be verified for each fuel or blend.
Does a fuel transfer pump need ATEX certification?
ATEX-certified equipment may be required where the hazardous-area assessment identifies a potentially explosive atmosphere. The required zone, equipment category, gas group and temperature class depend on the installation. Not every diesel-transfer application is automatically an ATEX zone.
Are fuel transfer pumps self-priming?
Some rotary vane, AODD and specialist centrifugal pumps are self-priming. Actual suction-lift capability depends on the pump, fuel vapour pressure, temperature, pipework and whether the suction line is initially dry.
Which pump is best for heavy fuel oil?
Internal gear and rotary vane pumps are commonly selected for heavy fuel oil because they can handle higher viscosity than conventional centrifugal pumps. The fuel may need to be heated to maintain the viscosity required by the pump and system.
How is a fuel transfer pump sized?
Sizing requires the required flow, total pressure or head, fuel viscosity, operating temperature, suction conditions, duty cycle and pipework losses. Hazardous-area and material-compatibility requirements must also be included.
