A charging station is a facility that sells fuel and engine lubricants for motor vehicles. The most common fuels sold in 2010 are gasoline ( gasoline or gas in the US and Canada, generally petrol elsewhere) and fuel diesel. A charging station that sells only electrical energy is also known as a charging station, while special charging stations can also be known as fueling stations , garage (South Africa, British Kingdom and Ireland), gasbars (Canada), gas stations (United States and Canada), gasoline stand or SS ( Japan), gas station or gasoline stand (India), gasoline garage , gas station (Australia, Hong Singapore, South Africa, United Kingdom and Ireland), service centers (Australia, Japan, New Zealand and the UK), services (United Kingdom) or servo (Australia).
Fuel dispensers are used to pump gasoline, diesel, compressed natural gas, CGH2, HCNG, LPG, liquid hydrogen, kerosene, fuel alcohol (such as methanol, ethanol, butanol, propanol), biofuels (like straight vegetable oil, biodiesel) , or any other type of fuel into the tank in the vehicle and calculate the financial cost of fuel that is transferred to the vehicle. Fuel dispensers are also known as bowser (in some parts of Australia), gas stations (in most Commonwealth countries) or gas stations (in the North America). In addition to fuel dispensers, another important device that is also found in gas stations and can charge a particular vehicle fuel (air pressure) is an air compressor, although this is generally only used to inflate car tires. In addition, many charging stations incorporate a convenience store, which like most other buildings generally has electrical sockets; then the plug-in electric vehicle can be recharged.
Shops found at gas stations usually sell candies, soft drinks, snacks and, in some cases, a small selection of groceries; like milk. Some also sell propane or butane and have added stores to their main business. In contrast, some chain stores, such as supermarkets, discount stores, warehouse clubs, or traditional department stores, have provided gas stations at the venue.
Video Filling station
Terminology
The term "gas station" is widely used in the English-speaking United States, Canada and the Caribbean, where fuel is known as "gasoline" or "gas" as in "gas stations". In some regions of Canada, the term gas bar is used. Elsewhere in the English-speaking world, especially in the Commonwealth, fuel is known as "gasoline", and the term "gas station" or "gas station" is used. In England and South Africa "garage" is still commonly used. Similarly, in Australia, the term "service station" ("servo") describes any gas station. In Japanese, the commonly used term is gasoline standing , although the abbreviation SS (for s ervice s tation) also used. In Indian English, this is called a gas station or a gas bed . In some parts of America and Australia, many gas stations have a mechanic on duty, but this is rare in other parts of the world.
Maps Filling station
Worldwide number
- The latest figures (2013) indicate there are now 8,455 gas stations in the UK down from about 18,000 in 1992 and peak around 40,000 in the mid-1960s.
- The US has 114,474 gas stations (SPBU) in 2012, according to the US Census Bureau, down from 118,756 in 2007 and 121,446 in 2002.
- In Canada, the number is down. As of December 2008, 12,684 were in operation, significantly down from about 20,000 stations recorded in 1989.
- In Japan, this number dropped from a peak of 60,421 in 1994 to 40,357 by the end of 2009.
- In Germany, the number dropped to 14,300 in 2011.
- In China, according to different reports, the number (in 2009) is about 95,000 to 97,000.
- India - 56.190 (March, 2016)
- Russia - there are about 25,000 gas stations in the Russian Federation (2011)
- In Argentina, in 2014, there are 3,916 SPBUs after a 2% decline from a year earlier.
History
The first gas station was the city pharmacy in Wiesloch, Germany, where Bertha Benz refilled the first car tank on its inaugural trip from Mannheim to Pforzheim in 1888. Soon another pharmacy sold gasoline as a side business. Since 2008, Bertha Benz Memorial Route commemorates this event.
United States
The increase in car ownership after Henry Ford began selling midsize cars capable of generating increased demand for gas stations. The world's first gas station built in St. Petersburg. Louis, Missouri in 1905 at 420 S. Theresa Avenue. The second gas station was built in 1907 by Standard Oil of California (now Chevron) in Seattle, Washington in what is now Pier 32. Reighard's Gas Station in Altoona, Pennsylvania claims that it originated in 1909 and is the oldest gas station in the world. United States of America. Initially, they are known riders as "charging stations".
The first "driver" filling station, the Gulf Purification Company, opened to the automotive public in Pittsburgh on December 1, 1913 at Baum Blvd & St Clair's Street (Walter Automotive Store is located here on the 100th anniversary). Prior to this, car drivers went into almost any general store or hardware, or even a blacksmith shop to fill their tanks. On the first day, the station sold 30 gallons of gasoline at 27 cents per gallon. It is also the first designed architect station and the first to distribute free street maps. The first alternative fuel station opened in San Diego, California by Pearson Fuels in 2003.
Russian
In Russia, the first charging station appeared in 1911, when the Imperial Automobile Society signed an agreement with the "Br. Nobel" partnership. In 1914 about 440 gas stations functioned in major cities across the country.
In the mid-1960s in Moscow there were about 250 stations. A significant increase in the development of retail networks occurred with the mass launch of the "Zhiguli" car at the Volga Automobile Plant, built at Tolyatti in 1970. Gasoline for non-private cars was sold only for ration cards. This type of payment system stopped in the midst of "Perestroika" in the early 1990s.
Today, since the saturation of the Russian car charging stations is insufficient and lags behind the world's leading countries, there is currently a need to accommodate new stations in cities and along different levels of roads.
Design and function
Most gas stations are built in the same way, with most underground refueling installations, front-yard pumping machines and service points in the building. Single or dual fuel tanks are usually deployed underground. Local regulations and environmental concerns may require different methods, with some stations storing their fuel in container tanks, embedded surface tanks or unprotected fuel tanks placed on the surface. Fuel is typically derived from the tank truck to the tank via a separate valve, located at the perimeter of the charging station. The fuel from the tank moves to the dispenser pump through the underground pipes. For each fuel tank, direct access must be available at all times. Most of the tanks can be accessed through the service channel directly from the front page.
Older stations tend to use separate pipe for each type of fuel available and for each dispenser. The new station can use one pipe for each dispenser. This pipe has a smaller number of pipes for each type of fuel. Fuel tanks, dispensers, and nozzles used to fill the car tanks use a steam recovery system, which prevents the release of vapor into the atmosphere by a pipe system. The muffler is placed as high as possible. The steam recovery system can be used in the drain pipe. The system collects the steam, melts and releases it back to the lowest available fuel tank.
The front page is part of the charging station where the vehicle is filled with fuel. The fuel dispenser is placed on top of the concrete floor, as a precaution. Additional elements may be used, including metal barriers. The area around the fuel dispenser should have a drainage system. Because sometimes the fuel spills on the ground, as little as possible have to penetrate the ground. The fluid in the front yard will flow into the drain channel before entering a gasoline interceptor designed to capture the hydrocarbon pollutants and filter these from the rainwater which can then proceed to the sewer, rain drain or to the ground.
If the charging station allows customers to pay at the register, data from the dispenser can be sent via RS232, RS485 or Ethernet to the point of sale, usually inside the gas station building, and incorporated into the station's operating system. The cashier system provides limited control over fuel dispensers, and is usually limited to allow employees to switch on and off the pump. Separate systems are used to monitor the status of fuel tanks and fuel quantities. With direct sensors in the fuel tank, data is fed to the terminal in the back room, where it can be downloaded or printed. Sometimes this method is bypassed, with fuel tank data sent directly to an external database.
Underground filling station
The underground modular charging station is a construction model for gas stations developed and patented by U-Cont Oy Ltd in Finland in 1993. After that the same system was used in Florida, USA. The modular filling station on the ground was built in the 1980s in eastern Europe and especially in the Soviet Union, but not built in other parts of Europe due to lack of safety of the station in case of fire.
The construction model for underground modular charging stations makes the installation time shorter, designing easier and manufacturing cheaper. As proof of the speed of mounting the model, a world record of unofficial charging station installations was made by U-Cont Oy Ltd when modular charging stations were built in Helsinki, Finland in less than three days, including those. The safety of modular charging stations has been tested in fuel station simulators, in Kuopio, Finland. These tests include for example burning cars and explosions in station simulators.
Marketing
North America
In the United States and Canada, there are generally two types of gas station marketing: premium brands and discount brands.
Premium brand
Filling stations with premium brands sells well-known and internationally renowned brands of gasoline, including Exxon and Essonya brands, Phillips 66/Conoco/76, Hess, Chevron, QuikTrip, Mobil, Shell, Sinclair, Sunoco (USA) , BP, Valero and Texaco. Non-international premium brands include Petrobras, Petro-Canada (owned by Suncor Energy Canada), and Pemex. Premium brand stations accept credit cards, often issuing their own company cards (a.k.a. fuel cards or fleet cards) and can charge a higher price. In some cases, fuel cards for customers with lower fuel consumption should be ordered indirectly from oil companies, but from intermediaries. Many premium brands have fully automated pay-in-pump facilities. Premium gas stations tend to be highly visible from highways and highway exits, utilizing high marks to showcase their brand logos.
Brand discount
Brand discounts are often smaller, regional chains or independent stations, offering lower gasoline prices. Most buyers buy commodity gasoline from independent suppliers or from major oil companies. Lower-priced gas stations are also found in some supermarkets (Albertsons, Kroger, Ingles, Lowes Foods, Giant, Weis Markets, Safeway, Vons, Meijer, Loblaws/Real Canada Superstore, and Giant Eagle), department stores (7-Eleven, Circle K, Cumberland Farms, Quick Chek, Road Ranger, Sheetz and Wawa), discount stores (Walmart, Canadian Tire) and warehouse clubs (Costco, Sam's Club, and BJ's Wholesale Club). In some stations (such as Vons, Costco, BJ's Wholesale Club, or Sam's Club), consumers are required to have a special membership card to qualify for a discounted price, or to pay only with cash cards, credit cards or exclusive credit card issuers for the chain. In some areas, such as Oregon and New Jersey, this practice is illegal, and stations are required to sell everything for the same price. Some department stores, such as 7-Eleven and Circle K, have joint brands of their stations with one of the premium brands. After the Gulf Oil company was sold to Chevron, the northeastern retail unit was sold as a chain, with Cumberland Farms controlling the remaining Gulf Oil outlets in the United States.
State-controlled station
Some countries have only one brand of gas stations. In Mexico, where the oil industry is a state-owned and regulated price, the main operator of the state refueling station is Pemex. In Malaysia, Shell is the dominant player with the number of stations, with state-run Petronas in second place. In Indonesia, the dominant player with the number of stations is owned by the government of Pertamina, although other companies such as Total and Shell are increasingly found in big cities such as Jakarta or Surabaya capital.
Global and local brands
Some companies, like Shell, use their brands worldwide, however, Chevron uses the Caltex heritage brand in Asia Pacific, Australia and Africa, and the Texaco brand in Europe and Latin America. ExxonMobil uses its Exxon and Mobil brands but is still known as Esso (the name of its predecessor, Standard Oil or S.O.) in many places, most felt in Canada. In Brazil, major operators are Petrobras Distribuidora and Ipiranga, but Esso and Shell are also present. In the United Kingdom, the two largest are BP and Shell. The "Big Four" supermarket chains, Morrisons, Sainsburys, Asda and Tesco all operate fueling stations, as well as small supermarkets such as The Co-operative Group and Waitrose. Indian oil operates about 15,000 gas stations in India. In Japan, the main operators are Cosmo Oil, Idemitsu, JXTG Nippon Oil & amp; Energy (under the brand name ENEOS, Express and General) and Mitsubishi Group (operate the self service station under Lawson trademark), although foreign brands such as Esso, Mobil (both operated by JXTG Nippon Oil under license from ExxonMobil) and Shell (Showa Shell Sekiyu) is also present.
Payment methods
Canada
In British Columbia, it is a legal requirement that customers pay pre-paid for fuel or pay at the pump. The law is called "Grant Law" and is intended to prevent "gas-and-dash" crimes. In other provinces, charging after charging is allowed and widely available, although some stations may request prepayment or payment at the pump during the curfew.
ireland
In the Republic of Ireland, most gas stations allow customers to pump fuel before settling the bills. Some gas stations have pay-in-pump facilities.
New Zealand
Most service stations allow customers to pump fuel before paying; this is especially true in small towns and cities in New Zealand. In recent years some service stations require customers to purchase their fuel first. It is common for customers to hand over cash to front-line officers if they pay for fuel and no change. Some supermarkets have their own forcourts that are unmanned and payments are only paid at the pump. Customers in the supermarket will receive discount vouchers that offer discounted fuel on their front page. The amount of discount varies depending on the amount spent on groceries at the supermarket, but usually starts at 4 cents per liter.
United Kingdom
Most stations allow customers to pay with chip and pin payment cards or pay at the store. Many pay in pumping systems, where customers can enter their PIN before filling.
United States
Advance payments, most common at pumps, are the norm in the US. Customers usually pay at the pump or inside the gas station/payment station. Modern gas stations have pay-in-pump capabilities: in most cases credit, debit, ATM cards, fuel cards, and fleet cards are accepted. Sometimes a station will have a pay-on-pump-only time per day, when attendants are not present, often at night, and some stations pay only 24 hours a day.
Service type
Charges typically offer one of three services to their customers: full service, minimum service or self-service.
- Full service
- An officer (gas jockey) operates a pump, often wipes the windshield, and sometimes checks the vehicle oil level and tire pressure, then collects payments (and maybe a small tip).
- Minimum service
- An officer operates the pump. This is often necessary because of laws that prohibit customers from operating the pump.
- Self service
- Customer performs all necessary services. A sign informing the customer about the filling and warning procedures is displayed on each pump. Customers can still enter the store or go to the booth to make payments to someone.
- Unmanned
- Using a cardlock (or pay-in-the-pump) system, this is completely non-existent.
Brazil
In Brazil, refueling is illegal because of federal laws enacted in 2000. The law was introduced by Federal Deputy Aldo Rebelo, who claims to have saved 300,000 workers across the country.
Japanese
Prior to 1998, gas stations in Japan were fully service stations. Self-service stations were authorized in Japan in 1998 after the abolition of the Special Petroleum Act which led to the deregulation of the petroleum industry in Japan. Under the current safety rules, while motorists are able to self-fuel at supermarkets, it is generally identified in Japanese as serufu ( ??? ) , at least one fuel officer must be on hand to monitor potential security breaches and provide assistance to motorists when necessary.
United States and Canada
In the past, gas stations in the United States offered a choice between full service and self-service . Before 1970, full service was the norm, and self-service was rare. Currently, some stations advertise or provide full service. Full service stations are more common in rich and luxurious areas. Full service charges are typically rated as a fixed amount per US gallon.
The first department store in the United States was in Los Angeles, opened in 1947 by Frank Urich. In Canada, the first self-service station opened in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in 1949. The airline is operated by independent company Henderson Thriftway Petroleum, owned by Bill Henderson.
All stations in New Jersey and Oregon offer only a full service and mini service; officers are required to pump gas because customers are prohibited by law in both states from pumping the gas itself. The only exceptions are at gas stations next to McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Base Joint in Wrightstown, New Jersey and next to Indian reservation casinos in Pendleton and Grand Ronde, Oregon where supermarkets are allowed in these three locations. New Jersey banned self-service gasoline in 1949 after being lobbyed by service station owners. Proponents of the ban call safety and employment a reason to defend the ban. Likewise, Oregon's 1951 law prohibiting self-service gasoline recorded 17 different justifications, including flammable gases, the risk of crime from customers leaving their vehicles, toxic fumes emitted by gasoline, and jobs created by requiring mini-service. In addition, a ban on self-service gasoline is seen as part of the Oregonian culture. A commentator noted, "The joke is that when babies are born in Oregon, doctors slap their butts, 'No self-serve and no sales tax'... It's a cultural problem as important as economic issues.This is a way of life." However, the last few years have shown that this opinion may change, since Public Policy 2014 Poll shows that although self-serving is favored by the narrow margins of all Oregonians, Oregonians under 45 choose self-serve gas by 53 percent to 33 percent. In 1982 Oregon voters rejected the voting size sponsored by service station owners, who would legalize self-service gas. The Oregon Legislator passed a bill that was later signed into law by the Governor in May 2017 to allow self-service for districts with a total population of 40,000 or less which began in January 2018.
Huntington City, New York bans supermarket supermarkets to save jobs. The ban came into force in the early 1970s during the recession.
The constitutionality of self-service ban has been disputed. The Oregon law was brought to justice in 1989 by ARCO, and the New Jersey law was challenged in court in 1950 by a small independent service station, Rein Motors. Both challenges failed. Former New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine seeks to lift a ban on self-service for New Jersey. He insisted that it would be able to lower gas prices, but some New Jersey residents argue that it could cause losses, especially unemployment. However, Phil Murphy's plan of a minimum wage of $ 15 will increase costs, can lead to self-service.
In New Jersey and Oregon, it is legal for customers to pump their own solar (though not every station allows diesel customers to do it; truck stops are usually done). In Oregon, certain "nonretail" customers can also pump their own fuel.
Other goods and services generally available
Many stations provide toilet facilities for customer use, as well as sweepers and paper towels for customers to clean the windows of their vehicles. Discount stations may not provide this facility in some countries.
Stations usually have air compressors (some with built-in or supplied tire pressure gauges) to inflate tires and hoses to add water to the vehicle radiator. Some air compressor machines are free of charge, while others charge a small fee to use (typically 50 cents for a dollar in North America). In many US states, state laws require paying customers to be provided with a free air compressor service. In most cases, tokens provided by officers are used instead of coins.
Many retail outlets have an integrated supermarket that sells food, beverage, and often cigarettes, lottery tickets, motor oil, and auto parts. Prices for these items tend to be higher than in supermarkets or discount stores.
Many stations, especially in the United States, have fast food outlets in them. This is usually an "express" version with limited seating and a limited menu, although some may be of regular size and have spacious seating. Larger restaurants are common at truck stops and toll road service plazas.
In some U.S. states, beer, wine, and liquor are sold at gas stations, although these practices vary according to state law (see the United States alcohol law by the state). Nevada also allows the operation of slot machines and video poker without time limitations.
The vacuum cleaner, often operated with coins, is a common amenity to allow cleaning of the interior of the vehicle, either by the customer or by an officer.
Some stations are equipped with car wash. Car wash is sometimes offered for free or at a discounted price with a certain amount of gas purchased. In contrast, some car washes operate gas stations to supplement their business.
From about 1920 to 1980, many US service stations provided free road maps affiliated with their petroleum companies to customers. This practice was disliked due to the energy crisis of the 1970s.
Fuel price
Europe
In EU Member States, the price of gasoline is much higher than in North America due to higher fuel taxes or taxes, although the base price is also higher than in the US. Sometimes, price increases trigger national protests. In Britain, large-scale protests in August and September 2000, known as 'The Fuel Crisis', caused massive damage not only in Britain but also in some other EU countries. The British government has finally stepped back indefinitely postponing the planned increase in fuel costs. This was partially reversed during December 2006 when then-British Treasury Secretary Gordon Brown raised the fuel tax by 1.25 cents per liter.
Since 2007, gasoline prices in the UK have risen nearly 40 cents per liter, up from 97.3 pence per liter in 2007 to 136.8 cents per liter by 2012.
In most of Europe, including Britain, France and Germany, gas stations operated by large supermarket chains are usually lower fuel prices than stand-alone filling stations. In most of mainland Europe, sales taxes are lower on diesel fuel than gasoline, and diesel fuel is cheaper: in the UK and Switzerland, diesel does not have tax advantages and retail at a higher price based on quantity than gasoline (offset by yield higher energy).
North America
Almost all gas stations in North America advertise their prices with large signs outside the station. Some locations have laws that require such a mark.
In Canada and the United States, federal, state or provincial, and local sales taxes are usually included in the price, although tax details are often on display at the pump and some stations may provide details about sales receipts. Gas taxes are often fenced off (special) rings to fund transport projects such as road maintenance and new development.
In the United States, the states of California and Hawaii typically have the highest gasoline prices, while the lowest prices are usually found in oil-producing countries such as Oklahoma and Texas. In Canada, prices are typically highest in the provinces of British Columbia and Quebec, and the lowest in the province of Alberta that produces oil. Provinces of Prince Edward Island (PEI), Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia have established gasoline price regulation, which is intended to protect small rural gas stations from low profits due to low sales volume.
Each gas station in the United States has little control over the price of gasoline. The wholesale price of gasoline is determined by region by an oil company that supplies gasoline, and its price is determined by the world market for oil. Each gas station is unlikely to sell gasoline with a loss, and profit margins - usually between 7 and 11 cents per US gallon - they generate from gasoline sales are limited by competitive pressures: a gas pump that charges more than others will lose customers they. Most gas stations try to compensate by selling food products with a higher margin at their department store.
Even with oil market fluctuations, the price of gasoline in the United States is among the lowest in the industrial world; this is mainly due to lower taxes. While the price of gasoline in Europe more than doubled in the United States, gas prices including taxes are almost the same in both areas. Some Canadians and Mexicans in communities close to the US border drive to the United States to buy cheaper petrol.
Due to the high gasoline price fluctuations in the United States, some gas stations offer their customers the option to purchase and store gas for future use, such as services provided by First Fuel Bank.
To save money, some consumers in Canada and the United States inform each other about low and high prices through the use of gasoline price websites. The website allows users to share the advertised rates on gas stations with each other by posting them to a central server. Consumers can then check prices listed in their geographic area to select the station with the lowest price available at that time. Some television and radio stations also collect price information through viewers 'and listeners' reports of price observers or reporters and present it as a regular segment of their news broadcast, usually before or after a traffic report. Observation of this price should normally be done by reading the price signs outside the station, as many companies do not give their prices over the phone due to competition problems. In Canada, it violates federal law to provide gas prices from gas stations by telephone. It is a criminal offense to have written or oral arrangements with competitors, suppliers or customers to:
- fix prices and exchange information on pricing or fees (including discounts and rebates),
- restrict or limit the competition in excess,
- engage in misleading or deceptive practices.
Gas stations should not discuss with other competitors on pricing policies and methods, sales terms, costs, market allocations or boycott of our oil products.
Other places in the world
In other energy-importing countries such as Japan, the prices of petrol and petroleum products are higher than in the United States due to the cost of fuel transportation and taxes.
On the other hand, some major oil-producing countries such as Gulf states, Iran, Iraq and Venezuela provide subsidized fuel below world market prices. This practice tends to encourage heavy consumption.
Hong Kong has some of the highest pump prices in the world, but most customers are discounted as card members.
In Western Australia, a program called Fuelwatch requires most WA fittings to tell their "tomorrow prices" of 2 Ã, pm daily; prices change at 6 Ã, every morning, and should be held for 24 hours. Every afternoon, the price for the next day is released to the public and the media, allowing consumers to decide when to fill out.
Service station
A service station or "servo" is the terminology that is primarily used in Australia and New Zealand. In Australia, servos are usually used to describe any facility where you can refuel your car.
In New Zealand, gas stations are often referred to as workshops, workshops, or gas stations, although they do not offer mechanical refinements or assistance with refueling. The level of service available includes full service, where assistance in providing fuel is offered, as well as offering to check the tire pressure or window glass of a clean vehicle. This type of service is becoming uncommon in New Zealand, especially Auckland. Further south of Auckland, many gas stations offer full service. There is also a help or relief service, where customers should ask for help before being given, and self-service, for which no help is available.
In the US, charging stations that also offer services such as oil changes and mechanical repairs to cars are called service stations . Until the 1970s, most gas stations were service stations; now only a minority. These stations usually offer free air for inflating the tires, as compressed air is ready to operate the repair garage pneumatic tool.
This kind of business provides a name for the US comic strip Gasoline Alley , where a number of characters work.
- List of North American charging stations
In the UK, 'service stations' refer to much larger facilities, usually attached to highways (see rest areas) or large truck routes, which provide food outlets, large parking areas, and often other services such as hotels, arcade games, and shops alongside the 24-hour fuel supply and higher standard toilets. Fuel is usually more expensive than these outlets because of their premium location. Service stations in the UK do not usually repair cars.
Highway service center
This arrangement takes place on many highways and some interstate highways and is called an oasis, service plaza, or truck stop. In many cases, these centers may have a food court or cafeteria. In the US, Pilot Flying J and TravelCenters of America are the two most common complete service chains. In the UK, this is called the Motorway service area.
Often, the state government maintains a public rest area connected directly to the highway, but does not rent space for private businesses, as this is specifically prohibited by law through the Interstate Highway Act of 1956 which creates the National Interstate Highway System, except the site on a highway built before 1 January 1960, and a toll freeway that stands on its own but has Interstate designation, under the clause of the grandfather. As a result, such areas often provide only minimal services such as toilets and vending machines.
Private entrepreneurs develop additional facilities, such as restaurants, gas stations, and motels in groups on private land adjacent to the main interchanges. Since these facilities are not directly connected to the freeway, they usually have large signs on poles high enough to be seen by motorists in time to get out of the freeway. Sometimes, the state also posts small official signs (usually blue) indicating what type of gas station, restaurant, and hotel are available at the forthcoming exit; businesses can add their logo to these signs for a fee.
Octan
In Australia, gasoline is left unobstructed, and is available in 91 (usually with ethanol up to 10%), 95, 98, and 100 octane (names of different types of gasoline from brand to brand). Fuel additives for use in cars designed for leaded fuel are available in most servo.
In Canada, the most commonly found octane values ​​are 87 (regular), 89 (middle class) and 91 (premium), using the same "(RM)/2" method used in the US (see below).
In China, the most common octane classes found are RON 91 (regular), 93 (middle class) and 97 (premium). Almost all fuel has been unleaded since 2000. In some premium gas stations in big cities, such as Petrol China and SinoPec, RON 98 gas is sold for racing cars.
In Europe, unleaded gasoline and available at 95 RON ( Eurosuper ) and, in almost all countries, 98 RON ( Super Plus ) octane; in some countries, 91 RON octane gasoline is also offered. In addition, 100 RON of gasoline is offered in several countries in continental Europe (Shell is marketing it as V-Power Racing ). Some stations offer 98 RON with lead replacement (often called "Lead-Gas Reimbursement, or LRP).
In New Zealand, unleaded gasoline, and most often available at 91 RON ("Regular") and 95 RON ("Premium"). 98 RON is available at certain BP service stations ("Ultimate") and Car ("Synergy 8000") instead of 95 RON standards. 96 RON was replaced by 95 RON, and then removed in 2006. Fuel powered was abolished in 1996.
In the UK, the most common gasoline class (and the lowest octane is generally available) is the 'Premium' 95 RON without lead. 'Super' is widely available at 97 RON (e.g. Shell V-Power , BP Ultimate ). Depleted fuel is no longer available.
In the United States all unlicensed motor vehicle gasoline and available in several classes with different octane values; 87 (Regular), 89 (Middle Class), and 93 (Premium) are typical values. The maximum octane rating in California is generally 91. At high altitudes in Mountain State and Black Hills in South Dakota, uncharacteristically lead can be as low as 85 octane; this practice is now increasingly controversial, as it is instituted when most cars have carburetors instead of fuel injectors and electronic engine control standards in the last few decades.
In the US gasoline is described in terms of "octane pump", which is the mean of "RON" (Octane Research Number) and "MON" (Motor Octane Number). Labels on gas stations in the US usually describe this as "(R M)/2 Method". Some countries describe fuels according to traditional RON or MON ratings, so the octane rating can not always be compared with a US rating equivalent to the "(R M)/2" method.
Differences in fuel dispenser
In Europe and Australia, the customer selects one of several color-coded nozzles depending on the type of fuel required. Unleaded lead fuels are smaller than those for fuel for engines designed to take leaded fuels. The opening of the tank filler has an appropriate diameter; this prevents accidentally using leaded fuel in a machine not designed for it, which can damage the catalytic converter. In EU countries lead fuel is no longer available, with LRP (lead replacement gasoline) being the only fuel available for machines that need it.
In most stations in Canada and the US, the pump has one nozzle and the customer selects the desired octane class by pressing a button. Some pumps ask customers to take the nozzle first, then lift the lever below it; the other is designed in such a way that lifting the nozzle automatically releases the switch. Some newer stations have separate nozzles for different types of fuel. Where diesel fuel is provided, it is usually channeled from a separate nozzle even if different gas classes share the same nozzle.
Motorists occasionally pump gasoline into diesel cars by accident. The opposite is almost impossible because the diesel pump has a large nozzle with an unbalanced / 16 inch (23.8 mm) filler 13 / 16 -inch (20.6 mm), and the nozzle is protected by a removable lock or flap mechanism. Diesel fuel in a gasoline engine - while creating a large amount of smoke - usually does not cause permanent damage if it is dried once the error is realized. But even a liter of gasoline added to a modern diesel car tank can cause permanent damage to the injection pump and other components through the lack of lubrication. In some cases, the car should be removed as the repair cost exceeds the residual value. The problem is not clear because older diesels using fully mechanical injection can tolerate some gasoline - which has historically been used for "thin" diesel fuel in winter.
Legislation
In most countries, gas stations are subject to existing guidelines and regulations to minimize fire potential, and improve safety.
Use of open flames is prohibited and, in some places, mobile phones on the front page of the filling stations due to the risk of gasoline vapors on. In the US, fire marshal is responsible for the regulations at the gas station. Most areas banned smoking, open fires and running machines. Due to the increasing incidence of static-related fires, many stations have warnings about leaving a refueling point.
Cars can build static charges by driving on dry road surfaces. But many tire compounds contain enough carbon black to provide an electric ground that prevents the buildup of the load. Higher "mileage" tires use more silica and can increase static buildup. A driver who does not evacuate static by contacting the conductive part of the car will take it to the insulated grip of the nozzle and the static potential will eventually be discarded when the arrangement earmarked with this purpose is put into contact with the metallic filler neck of the vehicle. Normally, the vapor concentration in the charging operation area is below the lowest explosive limit (LEL) of the issued product, so static discharge does not cause problems. Problems with gas cans that are not based on the result of a combination of static vehicle charges, the potential between the container and the vehicle, and the suitability between the grounded and gas nozzles. This latter condition leads to a rich concentration of vapor in ullage (unaccounted volume) of the gas, and the discharge from the tin to the hanging hardware of the diarde (nozzle, hose, swivel and rupture-a-way) can thus occur at most points unfavorable. The Petroleum Equipment Institute has recorded static-related ignition incidents at refueling sites since early 2000.
Although urban legends insist that cell phones can cause sparks, this has not yet been duplicated under controlled conditions. Nevertheless, mobile phone manufacturers and gas stations are asking users to turn off their phones. One of the suggested origins of this myth is said to have been started by a gas station company because cell phone signals would disrupt fuel counters on some old-fashioned fuel pumps causing it to provide a lower reading. In the episode of MythBusters "Cell Phone Destruction", the researchers concluded that mobile-linked explosions could be caused by the static release of clothing, and also observed that such incidents seem to involve women more often than men.
The US National Fire Protection Association does most of the research and code writing to address the potential for gasoline vapor explosion. The customer's refueling area, up to 18 inches (46 cm) above the surface, usually has no explosive concentration of vapor, but may over time. Above this altitude, where most of the fuel filler necks are located, there is no expectation of gasoline steam explosive concentrations under normal operating conditions. Electrical appliances in refueling areas can be specially certified for use around gasoline vapors.
See also
- Autogas (LPG)
- Autofill
- Biofuels
- Supermarkets
- Ethanol
- Gas pump
- Gas usage and prices
- Gasoline
- Highway oasis
- Hydrogen Station
- List of automotive fuel brands
- LPG tank connection
- National Leisure Stores Association
- Petroleum
- Propellant depot (gas station in outer space)
- Travel overland
Note
References
Further reading
- John A. Jakle, Keith A. Sculle. Gas Pumps in America (Creating North American Landscapes) . Baltimore, Maryland: The Johns Hopkins University Press. 1994. ISBNÃ, 0-8018-4723-0.
- Daniel I. Vieyra. "Contents' Er Up": An Architectural History of American Gas Station . New York: Macmillan Publishing Co., 1979. ISBNÃ, 0-02-622000-8.
- David Freund (2017): Stop the gas. Gas stations in American Life and Landscape, 1978-1981 . Steidl, ISBNÃ, 978-3958291737.
External links
- Energy Policy: How to Gas Station Gas Station in HowStuffWorks
- Fill'er Up Documentary is produced by Wisconsin Public Television
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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