Issue link: https://geospatial.trimble.com/en/resources/i/1415432
Spring 2019 71 7 R emote tank monitoring (RTM) solutions are made up of many hardware components, all of which are continually evolving as technology improves. One of the simplest concepts behind how a tank monitoring solution works and often the backbone of measuring product level is the tank level gauge. These instruments provide the owner with real time data on how much product is left in the tank, regardless of product type, in order to ascertain when the tank requires service. This article will address how this data can be used to provide better insight across the entire operation. Tank level gauges vary based on a number of features, such as media type, which can range from fuel oil, propane, water, lubricants, diesel, gas, and more. There are hundreds of gauges on the market today, including mechanical float gauges, sight gauges, electronic gauges (open air radar, guided wave radar, magnetostrictive, capacitive), and hydrostatic gauges. The application type, compatibility with other required measuring components, and the shape of the tank also play a role in equipment requirements. In the oil and gas industry, measurement requirements dictate the type of solution required, and compatibility with additional pieces of equipment such as controllers, fuel adapters, pressure gauges, and alarms are critical factors in determining what to install. There are products designed to meet specific, intrinsically safe Anton Albrand, SkyBitz, a unit of AMETEK Inc., USA, explores how level gauging intelligence can improve tank accuracy.