How to measure the expansion of a tank using some automatic equipment?
How to measure the expansion of a tank using some automatic equipment?
(OP)
Hello guys. I am not sure where should I include this topic but currently I have a tank that I wish to measure in an automatic way its expansion (it will be heated to 300°C) and wanna know if circunferentially all points dilate in good way.. does anyone know if there are ny equipement or device to do it? Normally I contract a topography team to check it but I want to do it in an automatic way and check data and records in my control room.
RE: How to measure the expansion of a tank using some automatic equipment?
RE: How to measure the expansion of a tank using some automatic equipment?
RE: How to measure the expansion of a tank using some automatic equipment?
Googling brings up this item: https://store.motionics.com/products/bluetooth-dia...
And another approach: https://www.sios-precision.com/en/products/length-...
I'm not familiar with either company or the pecifics of those products.
There are radar gauges used to detect liquid levels in tanks, and those vendors could tell you if their products could do this.
"Do all points dilate in a good way." That is a good question. But for starters, thermal expansion will vary up and down the tank, and be combined with growth from product loading. My guess: A large and moderately thick tank will behave pretty regularly, with dimensions being axisymmetric. On a smaller and/or thinner tank, you may have minor flat spots that move more than calculated when loaded. Of course, product movement and atmospheric conditions could give you hot spots and cold spots on the shell.
A tank being alternately heated and cooled could potentially "walk" to one side due to the cycling, which would complicate the instrumentation.
You could potentially do a one-time survey of hot vs cold dimensions to see how they vary over the tank, even if you don't normally monitor it all around. The tank strapping people might be able to help with that.
RE: How to measure the expansion of a tank using some automatic equipment?
I do not have any idea for the size and service of the subject tank. However, assuming API tank ( not PV) having substantial size and height, I would prefer to work with an experienced surveying group .
Probable survey instruments would be digital theodolite or total station. The survey points on a grid should be marked on tank shell and survey shall be performed separate for cold and hot tank.
Tim was so learned that he could name a
horse in nine languages: so ignorant that he bought a cow to ride on.
(BENJAMIN FRANKLIN )
RE: How to measure the expansion of a tank using some automatic equipment?
The 300C might get interesting with glue or the guages themselves.
Assume there is some sort of insulation?
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RE: How to measure the expansion of a tank using some automatic equipment?
Is the question how much expansion is due to temperature (which will be considerable) or due to internal pressure?
There is no way to measure "all points."
RE: How to measure the expansion of a tank using some automatic equipment?
RE: How to measure the expansion of a tank using some automatic equipment?
300C is rather high so will be quite interesting to see what this is.
Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.
RE: How to measure the expansion of a tank using some automatic equipment?
RE: How to measure the expansion of a tank using some automatic equipment?
That's an enormous tank for something at 300C.
What sort of accuracy/ expansion are you looking to measure?
Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.
RE: How to measure the expansion of a tank using some automatic equipment?
RE: How to measure the expansion of a tank using some automatic equipment?
Possibly due to lac of imagination, I keep coming back to the idea of strain gauges placed across both vertical and horizontal weld seams, many in the lower half of the bottom course and in the upper half of the top course as well as some in the middle of shell plate and at nozzles / manways, etc, particularly since they would work under the insulation, can be monitored and recorded remotely. You could get several cycles of the tank empty to full, heated to colled off, etc. You'd ahve to monitor setlement since that can affect shell deviations and be cognisant of temprorary events that disturbed the paterns (wind, etc).
It would make a great senior project or masters thesis - which might make it more affordable (??)
RE: How to measure the expansion of a tank using some automatic equipment?
David
RE: How to measure the expansion of a tank using some automatic equipment?
So that's over 100 points there. At 38 m diameter this tank must be at least 10m high and probably higher, so you're talking about 1200 to 1500 points to measure to an accuracy of?? 2mm? 5mm?
that's a pretty big undertaking.
So the question goes back to why? Curiosity is a great thing but sometimes this can be knowledge for knowledge sake. What are you going to do with it?
Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.