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Tank gauging technologies
In addition to manual hand gauging using a tape
measure, various automatic tank gauges have
developed over time. Most mechanical devices are
in contact with the liquid. Modern electronic tank
gauges are non-contacting and have no moving
parts.
Hand gauging
Hand gauging can be performed on most atmospheric tanks. A specially designed measurement tape is used for this purpose. These are normally made of stainless steel with a weight at the end of the tape graded in millimeters or fractions of inches. The tape is used to measure ullage or innage.
The ullage is the distance from the reference point of the tank down to the liquid surface. The tank level is then calculated by taking the reference height minus the measured ullage. Ullage measurements are often used on heavier liquids like black oils and crude oil.
Radar gauges
The first radar tank gauges were developed in the mid 1970’s (radar is also referred to as microwaves). The early versions were made for installations on seagoing tankers. Radar technology quickly gained popularity and has since then basically been the only level gauging technology of choice for any large tanker ship.
In the early 1980’s, radar tank gauges were further developed to fit shore based storage tanks. Radar technology rapidly gained market share and is today generally the first choice in any tank gauging project. Since the 1980’s, many different radar gauges have been marketed for tank gauging and other level applications. Today, there is a large supply of radar instruments on the market effectively replacing mechanical, ultra sound and capacitance level sensors due to their inherent user benefits.
A radar level gauge has no moving parts and requires no regular maintenance. Radar devices require no direct contact with the liquid. This makes it possible to use a radar gauge on a wide variety of liquids from heated heavy asphalt to cryogenic liquefied gases like Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).
A good radar tank gauge can easily provide reliable gauging for over thirty years.
