Fuel is an asset. Protecting this asset and using it wisely is crucial to a profitable operation. That’s where a tank gauge system can pay big dividends, as they work to do more than just measure the level of fuel left in storage tanks but also save money and increase efficiency in a variety of ways.
With sensors and other data-tracking components incorporated into the fuel framework, owners and operators stay aware of everything from fuel levels to temperature, pressure, and other key details.
With only 3 moving parts (drum assembly, gear assembly, and stepper motor) and only two PC boards (the CPU and the strain servo gauge amplifier), L&J has minimized parts to ensure reliability.
Brushless design eliminates the inherent problem of friction and wear on the contacts.
The servo gauge is the most compact and lightest servo available today.
Article Summary
Refinery tank terminal automation are the largest units in terms of numbers of plant items in any refinery. Refineries handle a huge stock of crude oil and product inventories, which invariably involves high capital investment. Accurate inventory is critical to terminal operations and to reconciling hydrocarbons within the plant. However, the complex and dynamic nature of the operation can make it difficult to pinpoint current tank levels or predict a refinery’s future inventory. This can result in increased operational expense to fulfill existing commitments and an inability to execute future orders. This article focuses on new horizons in the field of automation in tank terminal automation management systems and also highlights the challenges arising.
Challenges in refineries
Refineries continuously strive to better their standards and uphold effective best practices in the areas of operation, accounting, loss control and overall hydrocarbon management to deliver significant cost savings and reduce their environmental impact. To improve their hydrocarbon management, refineries should continuously evaluate their perception of the principles and effects of the measurement of oil movement and storage to understand the errors involved. This should help them towards better management of hydrocarbon inventory.
Refiners are under pressure to increase refining margin by reducing inventory, optimising crude mix and reducing product quality giveaway at the same time as producing more grades to tighter product and environmental specifications. Economic benefits result from improved planning and scheduling, coupled with tighter control and increased operational assurance and flexibility.
Refinery tank terminal automation operations involve a list of tasks and oil movements like crude receipt and storage, process unit feeds and crude blending, process unit rundowns, intermediate product storage, component storage, blended product storage and dispatch through ships, pipeline, road trucks and rail wagons. Significant improvement in the operation and management of the off-sites can be achieved through refinery automation.
Only an approximation of the existing fuel level may be provided by the float tank gauge with LTD-level temperature and density. It may even fail to provide a good estimate if the float mechanism has malfunctioned.
Removing the outer shell and pushing the float downward is one method to check. The float should rise on its own after you release it. If it does not, you have a faulty float that requires expert repair. This can occur as a result of normal wear and tear on older tanks.
Also, the arm beneath the tank gauge with LTD-level temperature and density might swivel and become jammed against the side of the tank. Finally, floats might become coated in thick muck, which weights them down and prevents them from functioning correctly.
What is a liquid level gauge? What is a liquid level indicator?
A liquid level gauge, also known as a liquid level indicator, is a meter for measuring liquid levels in a vessel such as a process tank, barrel, or drum.
How does a liquid level gauge work?
A liquid level gauge utilizes a mechanical float to indicate to a sensor what the liquid level is.
What does a liquid level gauge do?
Liquid level gauges can be used in various industrial applications to measure fluid levels in process tanks, barrels, and drums. Given the variety of uses, level gauges come in many forms and are made to simplify the process of determining fluid level within a container. Krueger Sentry fabricates a variety of gauges to meet your most standard to aggressive liquid and chemical measuring needs.
What are the benefits of a liquid level gauge?
Liquid level gauges ensure that proper readings are being obtained.
They are durable and long-lasting.
They are beneficial in more severe environments, such as those where higher temperatures or higher pressures are a factor.
The automatic tank gauge is a float actuated tape driven gauge and by means of a digital counter indicates float travel accurately to 1/16 inch. The 92021 meets all the specifications and recommendations of the American Petroleum Institute in accordance with API Bulletin 2509B.
This automatic tank gauge comes equipped with the Acutrak 90TM modular cartridge kit. The kit consists of a spring motor drum, a power hub and a stainless steel constant power spring. The cartridge and tape drum are constructed of RYTON®, a specially engineered polymer that offers outstanding chemical resistance, mechanical strength and abrasion resistance. Also included in the automatic tank gauge is an accurately perforated stainless steel tape. Bearing loads are well distributed through Teflon bushings rotating on polished stainless steel shafts.
Local readout is by means of a digital counter featuring large black numerals on a white background. Remote reading is added by simply removing the counter housing cover, installing a 2’’ coupling and bolting a transmitter in place of the counter housing cover. Gauge calibration is quick and easy. Loosen screws and swing open access plate; then simply rotate large inch wheel until counter wheels are set. This is the fastest and most positive calibration available on any float actuated counter type automatic tank gauge.
Choice of materials, rugged construction and counter housing sealed from automatic tank gauge head permits application of the gauging system to a wide variety of environmental conditions. An operational checker for manually jogging the tape to insure a “free movement” system is standard on automatic tank gauge head as well as provisions for optional high and low level limit switches. A hand crank for manually raising and lowering the float is also optional. Complete accessory kits are available for all standard and most special tank configurations and cover a broad selection of materials.
Measuring and managing of tank gauge for LPG LNG inventories is a sophisticated task. We offer the high quality instrumentation you need in combination with in-depth industry know how and engineering and maintenance services.
The challenge A typical tank gauge for LPG LNG works with a wide range of instruments to measure liquid level, liquid density, liquid and vapour temperature, liquid and vapour pressure, skin temperature and much more. Addionally you have to make sure that two layers of different densities are not rapidly mixing with the side effect of large amounts of gas being released, also known as rollover.
Our solution Our high accurate level gauges and instrumentation in addition with the inventory management system guarantee you highest transparency of inventories in the plant or headquarters. Keeping the constant temperature of the liquid gas, such as -200°C, also results in many technological challenges in handling cold temperatures. We offer a temperature monitoring system for the cooling down and the leak detection. In addition our LTD system monitors the level, temperature, density profiling and rollover prediction. That is not only important if you want to know what is happening in the tank, but also helps you to determine the next process actions.
This density meter is easy to grip and control even when you’re wearing thick work gloves. The narrow 1″ (2.5 cm) depth lets you maneuver in tight spaces.
Density meter features a pipette-style pump for good sample flow control — no bellows or bulb to rupture and leak. To draw in a sample, simply press the lever at the top of the density meter with your thumb.
View density meter, specific gravity, % concentration, or sample temperature on the large LCD. Press lever again to discharge sample.
Store up to 1024 readings with a push of a button. Access permanently stored concentration tables including % Brix, % alcohol, proof, °Baume, °Plato, API gravity, specific gravity at reference temperature, and % H2SO4. Durable density meter housing is sealed against pump spills.
Tank gauging servo tank gauge is designed for use in custody transfer tank gauging applications and exceeds the requirements of UK weights and measures standards for tank gauging.
The servo tank gauge is a high accuracy gauge and is still the preferred solution for the gauging requirements of many tank farms worldwide.
1. Continuous and accurate measurement: Because the radar level gauge is not in contact with the measured medium, and it is very little affected by temperature, pressure, gas, etc.
2. Convenient maintenance and simple operation: The radar level gauge has fault alarm and self-diagnosis functions.
3. Wide application range: non-contact measurement, good directivity, low transmission loss, and more measurable media.
4. Simple installation: In various industry applications, the radar level gauge can be directly installed on the top of the storage tank. The advantages of simple installation and other advantages have become the first choice for the general public. Next, let’s talk about the problems often encountered in the process of use.
