Non-Contact Liquid Volume Gauge
Project Summary
Measuring the liquid volume in tanks under the following conditions has been a challenge:
- Irregular shaped tanks
- Tanks containing non-homogenous liquids or solids floating on top of liquids
- Dynamic conditions resulting in non-leveled liquid surface.
We have developed an innovative non-contact method using a single and simple probe. Successful proof-of-concept tests have been conducted at the bench scale over a range of conditions.
Test Results
- The volumes of spherical and irregular shaped tanks have been measured accurately.
- Volume measurements under transient conditions are within experimental error.
Benefits
- This gauge can accurately measure liquid volume in an irregularly-shaped tank with one probe. Fuel tanks require averaging the measurements of several probes.
- Being non-contact, it can be used with corrosive and hazardous liquids
- Dynamic conditions producing non-leveled liquid surfaces have no effect on gauge accuracy.
- The measurement is insensitive to solids, foams, or other liquid inhomogeneity.
- It offers cost advantages over existing methods.
Closure
- This technology was successfully proven at the bench scale under varying conditions.
- Strategic partners are needed for large-scale tests and commercialization.