What Is a Fluid Transfer System?

A fluid transfer system consists of the full set of components that are needed to transfer a fluid — often oil or fuel — from one area to another. These systems are widely used in manufacturing, shipping and the automotive and aerospace industries, and they can vary greatly, depending on the setting. They can be incorporated into machines or used independently. Common components of fuel transfer systems include hoses, pipes, valves and accessory loading equipment.

A simple example of a fluid transfer system is a gas pump. This set of components transfers a fluid — gasoline — from a stationary tank to the tank inside a car or other vehicle. The pumping element, hose and tank, along with any connecting devices such as couplers, would all be considered part of the system.

Fluid transfer also occurs inside the car. Systems for fuel injection, engine cooling and air conditioning are designed to move fluids, such as coolant or fuel, within the automobile itself. Hoses and valves are used to direct and control the flow.

More extensive fluid transfer systems are used in industries such as shipping to move a large quantity of fluid for storage or transport. For example, the oil industry uses fluid transfer systems to move oil from offshore drilling rigs onto oil tanker ships and then to refineries for processing. Crude oil is pumped through a hose into the ship’s tanks, then it is pumped back out at the destination.

The hoses used by cargo ships, trucks and other shipping vehicles often require infrastructure such as scaffolding and crank reels for coiling up the hose when it is not in use. Manufacturers of the fluid transfer system include these components, along with control devices such as valves that allow the workers to control the rate of flow. In some cases, even mechanical equipment such as loading arms are considered part of the overall system when they are essential to the fluid transfer process.

Selection of the correct fluid transfer system for a given situation is often key in accomplishing an efficient and safe transfer. For example, in a situation where many hose lines cross over one another, the tangle and bulk of the hoses might create a trip hazard for workers. A solution that involves rigid pipes in a spread-out configuration might be better in such cases. Speed of transfer might also be an issue, especially in shipping and other time-sensitive industries. A large-capacity pumping system is necessary in settings where such volumes must be moved quickly.