Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Preface
This document gives an introduction into modern tank gauging,
how and where it can be used.
Accurate Servo- and Radar gauging, Hydrostatic Tank Gauging
(HTG) and the Hybrid Inventory Management System (HIMS),
combining the advantages of all systems, are described.
An uncertainty analysis of the tank inventory data is described
and the results are used for a concise comparison of tank
gauging systems. Uncertainties caused by the installation are
listed and clarified. Current technologies employed in tank
gauging, and future trends and possibilities of inventory
systems are presented.
Copyright by:
Enraf B.V.
Delftechpark 39, 2628 XJ Delft
P.O. Box 812, 2600 AV Delft
The Netherlands
Tel.: +31 (0)15 2701 100
Fax: +31 (0)15 2701 111
Email: info@enraf.nl
http://www.enraf.com
2
Contents
Preface
..........................................
1
1.1
1.2
1.2.1
1.2.2
1.2.3
1.2.4
2
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.6
3
3.1
3.2
3.3
4
4.1
4.2
5
5.1
5.2
5.2.1
5.2.2
5.2.3
5.2.4
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hazards of fire and explosions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lightning and Tank Gauging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Suppression circuit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Diversion circuit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Grounding and shielding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Field experience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
16
16
16
16
17
17
17
6
6.1
6.2
6.3
6.4
6.5
6.6
6.7
18
18
18
19
20
20
20
21
....
22
Summary
.......................................
23
Literature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
12
12
13
13
1
1.1
1.2
Tank gauging has a long history! Since each user and every
application has its own specific requirements, several
measurement techniques and solutions to gauge tank contents
are currently available.
2.1
Manual gauging
2.2
The first float and tape gauges, also called "Automatic Tank
Gauges", were introduced around 1930. These instruments use
a large, heavy float in order to obtain sufficient driving force.
Initially the float was connected via a cable to a balance weight
with a scale and pointer along the tank shell indicating the
level. Newer versions had the float connected, via a perforated
steel tape, to a "constant" torque spring motor.
The perforations drive a simple mechanical counter which acts
as local indicator. Typical accuracy of a mechanical gauge is in
the range of 10 mm ( inch). Due to the mechanical friction in
pulleys, spring motor and indicator, the reliability is poor.
Remote indication is possible via an electronic transmitter
coupled to the indicator. However, this will not improve the
reliability or accuracy of the mechanical gauge.
2.3
Servo gauges
displacer and controls the servo system. The motor also drives
the integral transmitter.
Mechanical friction in the servo system, transmitter, local
indicator and alarm switches has no effect on the sensitivity and
accuracy of the gauge. Also, turbulence has no direct effect.
An integrator in the serve control system eliminates the effects
of sudden product movements. The gauge not only produces
an average level measurement under turbulent conditions, but
it also eliminates unnecessary movements and reduces wear
and tear, greatly extending the operational life of the
instrument.
2.4
Radar gauges
Now radar level gauges are available for product storage tanks
found in refineries, terminals, chemical industries and
independent storage companies. The absence of moving parts,
their compact design and their non intrusive nature, result in
low maintenance costs and make them very attractive. In order
to achieve an accuracy ten times better than for use in marine
applications, specific antennas and full digital signal processing
have been applied. Older radar instruments were equipped with
large parabolic or long horn antennas, whereas the modern
radar level gauges use planar antenna techniques.
These antennas are compact and have a much better efficiency,
resulting in an excellent accuracy.
2.5
10
2.6
Hybrid Inventory
3.1
12
3.2
3.3
13
4.1
Sources of errors
Level Gauging
Non stability of installation
Temperature Gauging
Temperature stratification
Hydrostatic Tank Gauging
Transmitter position
Wind
Pressurized applications
14
4.2
Overview of uncertainties
Note: For level based systems the density is obtained from the
laboratory analysis of a grab sample; the uncertainty is
assumed to be 0.1 %.
15
5
5.1
Safety
Hazards of fire and explosions
5.2
6
6.1
6.2
Radar gauges
Main features
of the new generation Radar level gauge are:
NO moving parts.
Very low maintenance cost.
Low operational cost.
Non-intrusive instrument.
Low installation cost.
Typical MTBF of more than 60 years.
Low cost of ownership.
Modular design.
A standard accuracy of 1 mm (0.04 inch).
Software compensation for the hydrostatic tank
deformation, making support pipes no longer a must for
accurate measurement.
Full programmability for easy set-up and verification facilities.
The compact and lightweight construction eliminating the
need for hoisting equipment installation possibilities while
the tank stays in operation.
Continuous diagnostics providing a maximum of reliability.
Water-product interface measurement using digital
integrated probe.
Density measurement via system integrated pressure
transmitter (HIMS).
Interfacing to other transmitters, e.g. for product and vapor
temperature, and pressure via digital protocol.
6.3
Temperature gauging
Temperature probe
6.4
6.5
6.6
6.7
21
22
Summary
Literature
ISO 91.
ISO/TC28/section 3.
Terms relating to the calculation of oil quantity.
ASTM Tables 6, 53 and 54.
API Manual of Petroleum Measurement Standards.
Annex to chapter 1, 'Vocabulary'.
Enraf publication: Maintaining Safe Tank Storage with
Modern Automatic Tank Gauging Systems.
Enraf publication: An analysis of uncertainties in Tank
Gauging Systems.
23
Securiterre
This grounding device takes care of safe loading of flammable
products. It helps prevent an explosion due to ignition by
electrostatic electricity. Applications includes grounding of road
and rail tankers, airplanes, helicopters, barges, tankers, oil
drums, etc.
24
LAN / WAN
Inventory
Management
System
DCS
SCADA
Host
CIU Plus
PLC
CIU Prime
SmartRadar
HIMS
HTG
EN Fieldbus
Servo
Terminal Automation
Contrec
Tanksystem
Marine Systems
Fluid Technology
Companies
The Netherlands: Enraf Terminal Automation
T +31 (0)15 2701 100, F +31 (0)15 270 1111
E info@enraf.nl, I www.enraf.com
Branch Offices
Americas: Enraf Inc.
T +1 832 467 3422, F +1 832 467 3441
E sales@enrafinc.com
Information in this publication is subject to change without notice. Enraf is a registered trademark. Enraf B.V. The Netherlands.
IN 4416.650 Rev. 6