Lost heating oil

Cardew

bobmedley wrote: »

Oh dear, I admit the weight thing is wrong (but if he weighed his tank before and after, he would know if he was short changed:rotfl:)

On the slant theory, he would have to be sure that he precisely hit the same spot twice else there would be a difference that would affect the calculation.

Finally, temperature does have an impact (albeit small) - apparently the volume changes by 1% for every 15% F up or down.

Yes, agreed MartinW968 has only himelf to blame for not weighing tank before and after;) However the B****** delivery man would have probably poured some stones into the tank to make up for the missing oil; come to think of it that would work for raising the level:T

Don't agree with you about the slant thing. 446.8litres will raise the level by 202mm at any point in the tank, and on every occasion.(as stated above, subject to tank floor being covered) Regardless of the angle of tilt the sides will always be parallel to each other and 1825mm and 1212mm apart.

It did occur to me that the sides might bulge(or bow) with the extra weight, but even if they bulged 10mm in both width and length, it would only make a difference of 9 litres and he was missing 53 litres.

bobmedley

I meant it would make a difference if he didn't hold his bamboo stick/clothes line prop/whatever he used to do the measuring nice and perpendicular both times and in the same spot. He should have used a calibrated dipping tape (I assume he didn't) Also the stuff is virtually clear, so quite hard to see against the background - a few mills error could creep in there as well.

Might apply to Dragons Den with a tank weighing gizmo:D

MartinW868

Further to my posting on 06-07-2012, 8:20 PM regarding a discrepancy in the volume of heating oil delivered: responses, and additional information:
My old-style rectangular oil tank, with vertical sides, has a gauge the full height of the tank in which the oil meniscus in the tube is at the same height as the oil inside the tank. It is therefore the simplest thing to measure any change in height, therefore volume, of oil delivered. Of course, the base of the tank slopes slightly, but that is irrelevant.
My original post mentioned a delivery of supposedly 500 litres by a particular company, but my own measurement showing 447 litres received. Since posting on 06.07.2012, I have had two further deliveries of 500 litres of heating oil, but from another company. My measurements for these have been 491 litres for the first and 491 litres for the second. The difference between invoiced and measured volumes is considered to lie within error limits (of my measurements), though there might be a small and real shortfall. However, this puts the original 447 litre shortfall into sharp focus. I shall request my next oil delivery, due very soon, again from the first company to see whether there is again a shortfall.

MoiraMan

Number of factors to remember with regard to tank capacity.

1. Stated tank capacity should actually be less than the actual capacity as per EU requirements. Up until c.2005, tank capacity was stated as 97% of brimful capacity; today, it’s stated as 95% of brimful capacity;
2. Tanks expand over time – they’re designed to, to accommodate the pressure of the liquid stored inside. It’s not unknown for first generation plastic tanks to expand by > 10% and steel tanks are affected as well;
3. Tanks also expand dependent upon the level of fuel inside the tank and external temperature. Expansion will be greatest on a warm day when the tank is full and least when the tank is near empty on a cool day;
4. Due to the complexity of the design of plastic tanks in particular, it’s virtually impossible to get an accurate reading using any sort of manual measurement method. Steel tanks can be similarly complex too on the inside due to bracing, water traps etc.
5. Fraud on a vehicle using a digital meter is unheard of. Digital meters are now commonplace in Great Britain, albeit they are still more limited in Northern Ireland;
6. If you’ve any doubts whatsoever – contact trading standards. If the distributor is a member of the Federation of Petroleum Suppliers, tip them off as well… search Google for ‘Federation Petroleum Suppliers’.

G_M

Wilkinson.topsy wrote: »

I've read these posts about short fuel deliveries. I have experienced the same problems. I eventually found the method by which the drivers 'steal' the fuel. It has. Itching to do with the meters, nor the temperatures. In fact it is surprisingly simple. I was 'caught' before, with this very same procedure, in an overseas country, and secured compensation. Sadly, it's happening here too....

so are you going to reveal "the method by which the drivers 'steal' the fuel."?