Endress+Hauser’s Skid‑Based Custody Transfer Solution for Bulk Liquids Delivers 20% Faster Loading than Truck Weighing
March 25, 2026
Endress+Hauser’s Skid‑Based Custody Transfer Solution for Bulk Liquids Delivers 20% Faster Loading than Truck Weighing
Skid-based Coriolis flowmeter solutions, like the one Endress+Hauser Canada implemented for a major chemical distributor, achieve significant time and cost savings in the transport of bulk liquids. This customer reduced loading time for liquid aluminum sulfate by 20% and gained the ability to load at least one more truck per day per location. Each of the three skids supplied was validated by Measurement Canada for custody transfer certainty.
While oil transport is measured by volume – usually in litres, corrected to 15°C and measured with low-cost flowmeters – the many other bulk liquids delivered by the truckload for sectors like chemical, water purification and wastewater treatment and food and beverage have no standardized volume correction factors. For these bulk liquid deliveries, there are only two widely accepted measurement technologies: Coriolis mass flowmeters such as Endress+Hauser’s Proline Promass F300, and truckload weigh scales, the latter a time-consuming, multi-step process. Endress+Hauser’s skid-based measurement solution dispenses with truck weighing entirely, for significant space and time savings.
Truck weigh scales require a significant footprint, reducing available land for production or storage. A typical truck must first “tare in” (weigh empty), then “gross out” (weigh full), and finally determine the “net out” value (full minus empty). This process can create considerable yard‑management and safety challenges as multiple trucks move through the facility. Logistics become even more complicated when, at the “net out” station, a truck is found to be underfilled — requiring it to return to the loading point for a top‑up.
With Endress+Hauser’s skid metering solution, trucks are loaded correctly the first time with a legally tradeable Bill of Lading generated at the skid. There is no more overloading or spills.
The customer for these metering skids supplies liquid aluminum sulfate to operators in three provinces. Liquid aluminum sulfate – commonly called liquid alum – is a cornerstone of modern water treatment, where it acts as a coagulant, forming aluminum hydroxide floc that binds suspended particles, organic matter, and microorganisms for removal through settling and filtration. As treatment plants operate around the clock, they consume large volumes of liquid alum, which is almost always delivered in bulk by tanker truck. Liquid alum is equally critical in wastewater treatment, where it is used to remove suspended solids and reduce phosphorus levels before treated water is discharged. Pulp and Paper mills use large volumes of liquid alum in their processes.
The customer initially identified the potential for a money- and time-saving flowmeter based solution, and trusted Endress+Hauser Canada’s Project and Solutions team to carry it out. The latter helped frame the business case for budget approval, then designed, fabricated, tested and commissioned the three skids. Each skid is comprised of an Endress+Hauser Promass F300 Coriolis flowmeter with a DN80 (3”) connection, thermometer assembly, thermowell, strainer/air eliminator and a printer to create a paper receipt. Near zero-loss loading takes place at a rate of 1800 kg/min for improved operational and loading efficiency as well as better operatorsafety.
The three skids were fabricated according to Endress+Hauser’s strict quality standards, then shipped to each site prewired, CSA certified, and in accordance to each plant’s piping specifications. The final documentation records were produced and delivered with the site acceptance. All aspects of the project were professionally managed with a single point of contact by an Endress+Hauser project manager. The team oversaw field validation of the completed skids by Measurement Canada as legal for trade, and provides ongoing staff training and responsive online technical support. Endress+Hauser also developed frame agreements for service and support, ensuring maximum availability wrapped up with a Partner for Life mindset.
This skid-based flowmeter solution is scalable across industries and regions, including chemical production, food and beverage, water treatment and energy transition applications. It can be used for chemicals like anhydrous ammonia, liquid fertilizer, diesel exhaust fluid, industrial oils, oil and gas exploration and in the food industry, liquid sugars, edible oils, and much more. It also is adaptable for rail tank car loading. While the skid-based concept and components are standard, each installation mustbe adapted to the customer’s space, material compatibility with the fluid to be measured and vertical integration (where applicable).
Whatever the product being transported, by road or rail, this solution assures all parties involved of a legally tradeable custody transfer validated directly at the loading skid.
About Endress+Hauser
Endress+Hauser is a global leader in measurement instrumentation, services and solutions for industrial process engineering. Their products – sensors, instruments, systems and services for level, flow, pressure and temperature measurement as well as analytics and data acquisition – set standards in quality and technology. The company further supports its customers with automation engineering, logistics and IT services and solutions. Founded in 1953 by Georg H Endress and Ludwig Hauser, the Endress+Hauser Group has been solely owned by the Endress family since 1975.
Today, the Group is managed and coordinated by a holding company based in Reinach, Switzerland, employing 17,046 personnel across the globe at year end. In 2024, the Group generated net sales of 3.744 euros (C$5.80 billion). Endress+Hauser’s production centres in 12 countries meet customers’ needs and requirements quickly and effectively, while its dedicated sales centres and strong partner network guarantee competent worldwide support.
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All Endress+Hauser Promass Q and F Flowmeters Now Have Measurement Canada Authorization for Custody Transfer
Endress+Hauser’s entire lineup of Proline Promass Q and Promass F Coriolis flowmeters – up to and including 10” bore sizes – now enjoys Measurement Canada authorization for utilization in custody transfer. Adding these large bore sizes – DN150 (6”), DN200 (8”) and DN250 (10”) – as custody transfer flowmeters opens up many opportunities in a wide range of industries, like oil & gas, petrochemical and food and beverage to benefit from the unique advantages of the high-tech Promass Q in particular.
