Todaymany terminals have automated inventory systems. It isthereforea legitimate question to ask: why you would still need manual gauging and sampling?
There are several reasons why manual gauging is still necessary.
One of the most obvious reasons is physical inventory check. One could say that the output of an automatic gauging system is a virtual reality and what you want to achieve with manual gauging is to check whether the real world corresponds with what you see on your screen.
Most automatic gauges measure outage and temperature which is sufficient for difference gaugingthe standard situation during a transfer.
But if you need an absolute value of the mass stored in a tank you need to verify the reference height in order to calculate innage and you need to know the level of the product/water interface if there is free water at the bottom of the tank.
Physical inventory can also be required by law for accounting purposes.
Moreover every automated level gauging system needs a periodical verification or calibration.
Enraf Tanksystem is a leader in portable electronic tank gauging and sampling equipment for marine applications as well as for the oil and petro-chemical industry.
Enraf Tanksystem SA is based in BulleSwitzerland. www.tanksystem.com
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