Products / Prover Tanks
Custom Stainless Steel Prover Tanks
A prover tank is a precision-calibrated stainless steel vessel used to verify the accuracy of liquid flow meters. Lonetti manufactures prover tanks from 50 L to 5,000 L+ in 304 SS, built to OIML R117 and API MPMS Chapter 4.4, certified by INTI, and exported to 47 countries since 1960.
What is a prover tank and how does it work?
A known volume of liquid passes through the meter under test and is collected in the prover tank. If the meter reading matches the tank's certified volume, the meter is accurate. Prover tanks are the primary standard for custody transfer and fiscal measurement in petroleum terminals, refineries, and pipeline takeoffs.
Prover tank specifications
| Capacity range | 50 L – 5,000 L+ (custom on request) |
|---|---|
| Body material | AISI 304 stainless steel (316 SS available) |
| Volumetric accuracy | ±0.05% of reading or better |
| Standards | OIML R117 · API MPMS Ch. 4.4 · NIST Handbook 105-3 |
| Certification | INTI calibration certificate (traceable) |
| Mounting | Stationary · skid-mounted · trailer-mounted |
| Lead time | 8–14 weeks standard; 16–24 weeks large custom |
What standards apply to prover tanks?
Lonetti prover tanks are designed and manufactured to OIML R117, API MPMS Chapter 4.4, and NIST Handbook 105-3. Every unit is calibrated by INTI (Argentina's National Institute of Industrial Technology) with traceability to international metrology standards.
When do I need a prover tank?
- Custody transfer: Calibrate fiscal flow meters at refineries, marine terminals, and pipeline takeoffs.
- Meter proving: On-site or workshop verification of positive-displacement and turbine meters.
- Dispenser calibration: Truck-loading rack and dispenser verification under regulatory audit.
- Pipe prover waterdraw: Base volume determination of pipe provers via certified water draw.
Frequently asked questions about prover tanks
What accuracy do Lonetti prover tanks achieve?
Lonetti prover tanks achieve a volumetric accuracy of ±0.05% or better. All units are calibrated by INTI and are traceable to national and international metrology standards (OIML, NIST, INMETRO).
Can Lonetti manufacture custom-sized prover tanks?
Yes. Every Lonetti prover tank is built to customer specifications — any capacity from 50 liters to well over 5,000 liters, in stationary, skid-mounted, or trailer-mounted configurations.
How long does it take to manufacture a custom prover tank?
Standard configurations typically ship in 8–14 weeks. Large or highly customized systems may require 16–24 weeks.
What is the difference between a prover tank and a test measure?
A prover tank is a large, usually stationary or trailer-mounted vessel (50 L–5,000 L+) used to calibrate industrial flow meters at petroleum terminals. A test measure is a smaller, portable handheld can (1 L–50 L) used to verify fuel dispensers and smaller meters in the field.
Contact Lonetti
Email: info@lonetti.com.ar · WhatsApp: +54 9 11 2788 4190 · Request a quote