FUELS & LUBRICANTS
the flow rate, the greater the deflection, allowing the flowmeter to calculate mass flow with high precision.
Coriolis flowmeters operate by vibrating flow tubes and measuring the phase shift caused by fluid movement. This shift, a result of the Coriolis effect, is directly proportional to the mass flow rate. Sensors also detect changes in resonant frequency to determine fluid density, while integrated temperature probes provide thermal data. These measurements allow for real-time monitoring of fluid properties, even in complex or multiphase flows.
Coriolis flowmeters Endress + Hauser argues offer several key benefits- direct mass flow measurement without the need for conversion from volumetric flow; multivariable sensing including mass flow, density, temperature and viscosity; and high accuracy and repeatability, even in challenging conditions. They have no moving parts, reducing maintenance and increasing reliability.
Endress + Hauser offers 17 Coriolis sensor types tailored to industry needs. In mining, the Promass F has a longstanding reputation as a highly accurate sensor. Immune to fluctuating and harsh environments, it is suited for the broadest range of applications. With its compact transmitter Promass F 300 offers high flexibility in terms of operation and system integration: access from one side, remote display and improved connectivity options. Heartbeat Technology enables measurement reliability and extension of recalibration cycles.
Banlaw’ s FillSafe™ competitive edge
Banlaw FillSafe™ ensures zero overfill, zero tank pressure and zero spillage during refuelling in any environment and is widely used in the global mining industry – the platform has now seen multiple generations and upgrades since it was launched in 2012. Rates of 1,000 litres( 265 gallons) per minute can be achieved with no increase in tank pressure. FillSafe™ works on a variety of mining equipment including excavators, haul trucks, and shovels. The electrical level sensor on the fuel tank ensures automatic termination of fuel flow once the tank is full.
FillSafe™ Banlaw says removes the guesswork and manual checking of tank levels. The leak free connection between nozzle and tank also prevents contaminants entering the fuel tank- delivering improved performance outcomes and reduced downtime for each machine.
Banlaw FillSafe™ products“ are designed to protect valuable machine assets by giving our clients the widest choice of zero tank pressure overfill protection systems available on the market. Banlaw clients can choose between FillSafe Zero, our purely mechanical pressureless overfill protection system, or FillSafe Power, the premium solution for the most demanding or critical applications.”
‘ Pressureless’ refers to a tank overfill protection system that requires zero tank pressure, for it to automatically terminate refuelling once the tank is filled. Any manual override of the FillSafe Zero or FillSafe Power overfill protection systems will result in a dead head of pump pressure being applied to a closed valve, and not the tank itself. This avoids a primary cause of tank overfill and potential tank rupture. It is simply a safer, more efficient way to refuel.
A traditional dry-break refuelling system operates by momentarily pressurizing the tank at the point of maximum fill. The dry break nozzle senses this momentary pressure increase and automatically closes, ceasing the flow of fuel into the tank. For over 30 years this has been the most common way to safely refuel at a high flow rate. A Banlaw FillSafe™ system basically operates by sensing fuel level, to signal a tank inlet valve to close at the point of maximum fill. This has the same shutoff effect on the dry break nozzle, but without pressurising the tank. Furthermore, as the valve to the tank is closed, any attempt to override the nozzle and add more fuel will be prevented.
These products are also Banlaw says the only dry break high-flow refuelling systems available in the world, which can be fully integrated into a Fuel Management System. Banlaw FillSafe™ overfill protection systems can combine the safest and most reliable overfill protection equipment with automatic fuel reconciliation.“ This powerful combination of technologies boosts efficiency from the pit to the corporate boardroom with easy, automatic instant access to all refuelling transactions and reporting.”
Looking at key components, a Banlaw FillSafe ™ Zero system consists of a Flow Control Valve, a Level Sensor, and a Pilot Line to form a system. The Flow Control Valve closes when a Level Sensor detects that the tank is full, stopping the flow of fuel from entering the tank. This initiates a dead head event at the Flow Control Valve, which automatically closes off the pressure sensitive dry-break nozzle. The tank is not subject to over pressurisation or the risk of overfill.
Banlaw’ s FillSafe Power electronic overfill protection system it says is the premium choice in overfill protection systems and is“ by far the most versatile overfill protection available on the market.” It can accommodate any system flow rate depending on system design.
There is no upper or lower flow rate limitation. The FillSafe Power system requires four basic components, a Controller, an Actuated Valve, a Level Switch and a Harness to connect them all together. FillSafe Power can be configured to suit any machine and is the only overfill protection system that indicates exactly when the tank is full via controller feedback. The Level Switch used in the FillSafe Power system can incorporate multiple float switches. These floats can trigger‘ high-high’ or‘ low fuel level’ alarms, or allow selection of different maximum fill levels.
FillSafe Power controls any type of electric, pneumatic or fire-safe actuated‘ open bore’ ball valve to achieve the least pressure drop possible. Other actuated style valves( eg solenoid valves) may be used to suit a wide variety of applications and fluid types – not just diesel fuels. As an alternative to FillSafe Power, Banlaw can also engineer a SIL-rated safety system on request.
Cascadia Scientific’ s new Refuel Coach
Refuel Coach by Cascadia Scientific it says is the industry’ s first precision refuelling guidance system for open-pit mines, designed to help operations extend production time, reduce unnecessary refuelling stops, and avoid costly fuel-out events. Refuel Coach combines highaccuracy instrumentation, machine learning, and operational data to precisely manage and optimise refuelling decisions across the mining haul fleet.
Stephen Edwards, Cascadia Sales & Marketing Director told IM that most mines still rely on tank level sensors – but argues the reality is they’ re often unreliable and don’ t provide real-time insight and that without accurate data, refuelling becomes a guessing game.“ On average, trucks are being refuelled while 35 % of their tank capacity still remains – a clear sign of wasted International Mining | JULY 2026