What makes heavy fuel oil difficult to pump
It must be heated before start-up and kept at temperature through the whole pumping chamber, seal area included.
The pump is sized at the coldest working temperature and turns slowly, so the gear teeth fill completely.
In classified areas the pump is evaluated with ATEX documentation, and seals are chosen for the light fractions.
How we build the pump for heavy fuel oil
| Recommended series | NAV · CR · ZV |
|---|---|
| Flow range of these series | 0.47 – 4,292 l/min (0.03 – 258 m³/h) |
| Body material | Cast iron as standard; stainless steel NAV for aggressive variants |
| Heating | Required — CR jacket on thermal oil, steam or superheated water; hot-spot kit without boiler; or electric cartridges in the body |
| Speed | Low speed: a larger pump turning slowly, often with a gear motor or inverter |
| Shaft seals | Selected for compatibility with the solvent or hydrocarbon |
| Classified areas | Pump evaluated with ATEX documentation |
| Connections | NAV: flanged DN 40 – DN 125 PN 16; ZV: threaded ports, close-coupled to the motor |
Burner feed: flow that does not drift
When a burner nozzle partly clogs, a centrifugal pump delivers less; a gear pump keeps moving the same volume per revolution. That is why gear pumps are the standard on fuel oil burner skids. On HFO the other half of the job is heat: the pump body must not become the cold spot that makes the oil thicker than the rest of the line, so on cold sites we fit the jacketed CR on the same steam or thermal oil that traces the pipework.
Where heavy fuel oil pumps work
Applications: Power plants and gensets, industrial boilers, cement kilns, asphalt plant burners, ship bunkering, fuel depots.
Typical markets: Iraq, Yemen, Libya, Egypt, Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Kenya, Tanzania, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Cuba, Dominican Republic. For these sites we size for local conditions: the coldest night temperature, 50 or 60 Hz power, heating available on site and spare parts that can be kept in stock locally.
Recommended pump series
Data we need to size your heavy fuel oil pump
- Product name, producer or data sheet of the heavy fuel oil
- Viscosity at the pumping temperature, and the lowest temperature on site
- Flow rate required (l/min, m³/h or bbl/h)
- Discharge pressure, or line length, diameter and height
- Suction: tank, line length and diameter, liquid level
- Heating available on site: steam, thermal oil, hot water or electricity only
- Power supply: voltage and 50 or 60 Hz; area classification
Frequently asked questions
Which gear pump do you recommend for heavy fuel oil?
We normally propose the NAV, CR or ZV Series. The NAV is flanged from DN 40 to DN 125, for transfer and plant duty. The final model depends on flow, viscosity at temperature and suction, and is confirmed by our technical office.
Does a pump for heavy fuel oil need heating?
Yes. Without heat the product sets in the chamber and the pump cannot start. We use the CR jacket on the plant heating circuit, the hot-spot kit where there is no boiler, or electric cartridges in the body.
Can the pump work in an ATEX zone?
For classified areas we evaluate the pump with ATEX documentation. Tell us the zone classification in your request.
Do you supply pumps outside Italy?
Yes. The pumps are built in our Bologna workshop and quoted for export. Write your country in the form and we will size the pump for your power supply (50 or 60 Hz) and site conditions.
This page also covers: HFO, Mazut, Furnace oil, Fuel oil ATZ/BTZ, Heavy oil, Thick oil.