Reducing product loss, controlling emissions, and ensuring safe operation in explosive atmospheres are everyday challenges in fuel storage and handling.
When working with flammable liquids such as gasoline or kerosene, even small inefficiencies can lead to significant losses — and more importantly, safety risks. At the same time, operators must comply with strict ATEX requirements, particularly when it comes to managing electrostatic charge.
To better understand how these challenges are being addressed in practice, we spoke with Laurent Bedel from ELBE Petro, the company behind the ERIS (Evaporation Reduction Intelligent System).
What challenge did ELBE Petro set out to solve?
Laurent ELBE Petro:
“We developed ERIS to tackle a very practical issue—evaporative losses from liquids stored in tanks.
Our idea was simple in principle: reduce the liquid–gas interface at the surface. That’s where evaporation happens.
So ERIS is designed as a floating screen that forms a continuous layer on top of the stored liquid. By covering the surface, we can significantly reduce evaporation and the associated emissions.
Of course, storing liquids like gasoline or kerosene is already complex. You’re dealing with explosion risks, temperature variations, pressure management—it’s a demanding environment.
Our goal was to create a solution that improves evaporation control, but still works reliably in real-world tank conditions.”
How does ERIS work?
Laurent ELBE Petro:
“ERIS is a patented floating roof concept made up of independent, self-positioning floaters.
Instead of one rigid structure, we use multiple modular elements. That’s important, because it allows the system to adapt to the internal geometry of the tank—even if there are irregularities.
Despite that flexibility, we still achieve very high surface coverage more than 97%, according to our measurements. And because the system is modular, it also makes installation and operation much more practical.”
What are the main benefits for operators?
Laurent ELBE Petro:
“When we talk with operators, three benefits usually stand out.
First, reduced product loss and emissions. By minimizing the exposed surface area, we directly reduce evaporation and VOC emissions.
Second, faster installation and commissioning. The modular design means we don’t need complex on-site construction. That helps reduce downtime.
And third, the system is designed for demanding environments, including ATEX-relevant conditions. That was a key requirement from the beginning.”
Why is ATEX compliance critical, and what does it mean in practice?
Laurent ELBE Petro:
In fuel storage and handling environments, flammable atmospheres can be present, so controlling ignition risks especially those related to electrostatic charge is essential.
That’s why ATEX compliance is a must.
In practice, it means the solution is designed for use in ATEX-relevant environments and supported by the appropriate compliance validation and documentation to guide safe installation, operation, and maintenance.
For ERIS, ELBE Petro states that conformity for use in ATEX environments is certified by INERIS (Institut National de l’Environnement Industriel et des Risques).
What are the key material requirements for conductive plastic components?
Laurent ELBE Petro:
“This is where things get very technical. The material used in the floaters has to meet several demanding requirements at the same time.
First, controlled electrical conductivity. We need reliable static dissipation to prevent electrostatic charge buildup. And that conductivity has to remain stable over time.
Second, mechanical durability. The floaters are exposed to temperature variations, liquids, and mechanical stress inside the tank—so they need to maintain their integrity long-term.
Third, chemical resistance. Fuels and hydrocarbons can be aggressive, so the material must resist degradation.
And finally, processability and consistency. We need to manufacture these components efficiently and with consistent quality.
To meet these requirements, we worked closely with Polymix and Premix, leveraging Premix’s expertise in electrically conductive polymer compounds.
How did the collaboration with Polymix and Premix start?
ELBE Petro:
“When we started looking for a conductive plastic solution that could meet our ATEX requirements, we connected with Polymix, Premix’s local distributor.
We shared our application needs, and they introduced us to Premix and the PRE-ELEC® portfolio.
Polymix played a key role locally supporting coordination, logistics, and sampling. That really helped keep the development process efficient.
Premix brought in the materials expertise helping us select the right compound and providing technical support, along with consistent quality and performance.”
What results have you seen so far and what’s next?
“So far, we’ve seen very positive results in real-world applications.
ERIS helps reduce evaporation losses, improves safety performance, and offers flexibility during installation—all of which are important for operators.
Looking ahead, we’re continuing to expand deployment across relevant sectors in fuel storage and handling.”
Closing
Innovations in tank storage today are evaluated on more than just performance. Safety, compliance, and real-world usability all play a critical role.
ELBE Petro’s ERIS concept addresses these challenges by reducing evaporation and supporting safer operations in ATEX environments. At the same time, collaboration across the value chain—from materials to manufacturing—helps ensure the system performs reliably under demanding conditions.
👉 Continue the Discussion
Interested in learning more or continuing the conversation? Reach out to:
➤ Oil & Gas floating roof solution (ERIS)
Laurent Bedel
ELBE Petro
➤ ATEX-compliant conductive compounds
Premix Group
➤ Material selection, sampling & local support
Polymix
