Calibration Tank Research Articles

Evaluation of a vacuum insulated temperature calibration device to calibrate thermistor characteristics for skin cancer diagnosis

AbstractRecent methods using thermistors as an early detection of skin cancer require the higher resolution of 5 mK. Previously, the authors developed a vacuum insulated temperature device that calibrates the resistance temperature characteristics of thermistors, so that it improves the temperature resolution and accuracy of skin cancer diagnosis. In this study, the operational methods of the calibration system were compared for improving further accuracy using the temperature calibration device and the oil tank calibration device. The results of the comparison indicated that the temperature calibration device is probably as accurate as the oil tank calibration device.

Rating of Geometrical Methods of Tank Calibration: F-TOPSIS Approach

Rating of Geometrical Methods of Tank Calibration: F-TOPSIS Approach

A low-cost system for calibrating methodologies used to measure GW-SW flow

Exchange fluxes across the groundwater–surface-water interface are critical components of hydrologic, climatic, and ecologic processes. We present details of the construction of a low-cost Controlled Flux Tank Calibration System (CFTCS). The construction of this low-cost ($318) easily replicable system allows for comparative testing of different groundwater flow measurement methodologies. This work presents an illustrated step-by-step construction guide and intends to contribute to the development of studies on the groundwater monitoring in coastal lagoons.

Analysis of Liquid Quantity Measurement in Loading/Unloading Processes in Cylindrical Tanks

Tanks, as instruments in oil and its product’s amount measurement system chain, must be regularly maintained and metrologically inspected, as they significantly contribute to measurement uncertainty. However, when measuring a change in the amount of stored material (i.e., transfer), the measurement uncertainty becomes highly dependent not only on the mass of the transaction but also on the initial liquid level in the tank. This paper provides modeling of the uncertainties of the measuring system, which involves tanks, oil, and its product loading/unloading processes. It is shown that the accuracy of volume/mass measurement depends not only on the tank calibration table but also on the accuracy of other measuring instruments used and on the level of the liquid at the moment of measurement. The relative uncertainty of the measurement of the change in product mass depends linearly on the tank fill level present at the time of the transaction but nonlinearly on the transaction mass quantity.

A 48 GHz Fundamental Frequency PLL with Quadrature Clock Generation for 60 GHz Transceiver

This paper presents a design of a 48 GHz CMOS phase-locked loop (PLL) for 60 GHz millimeter-wave (mmWave) communication systems. For the sliding intermediate frequency (sliding-IF) transceiver applications, a fundamental frequency PLL with quadrature clock generation scheme is proposed. Specifically, with an implicit capacitive-bridged shunt peaking network, a second order harmonic filtering technique is realized in the voltage control oscillator (VCO) to broaden the bandpass response, thereby avoiding the complex common-mode resonant tank calibration and improving the phase noise performance. A robust current mode logic (CML) static frequency divider topology is adopted to realize the prescaler and to generate the quadrature clock. With the capacitive-bridged shunt peaking load and robust biasing circuit, the static frequency divider locking range and high frequency performance is improved and its reliability is enhanced over the PVT corners. To improve the image suppression ratio of the transceiver, a quadrature clock phase calibration scheme is proposed and verified. Fabricated in a 65 nm CMOS process, the PLL occupies a core area of 800 μm × 950 μm. Over the frequency range of 45.2 to 52.6 GHz, the measured PLL in-band phase noise PLL is better than −90 dBc/Hz@100 KHz offset, and its jitter is less than 155 fs. Moreover, the reference spur is less than −60 dBc/Hz.

Automatic mass meter, increasing the accuracy of calculating the gross weight of oil in vertical steel tanks

Improving the efficiency of operation of trunk pipelines. However, to assess the activities carried out, accurate and reliable information about the amount of the pumped and stored product is required. Existing methods for measuring the amount of liquid and methods of using capacity measures lead to large errors in calculations. Measurement and tampering with the turnover reporting process depends on the “human factor” and the prerequisites for introducing measurement and tampering into the turnover reporting process. In operation, an automatic system for measuring pressure and temperature by product layers based on the hydrostatic principle of operation, which allows calculating the gross mass of oil. Also, the paper analyzes methods for increasing the accuracy of calibration tables obtained in the process of tank calibration. The proposed system improves the measurement accuracy, productivity and operational efficiency of tank farms.

COMPARISON STUDY OF VERTICAL CYLINDER TANK DIAMETER MEASUREMENT BETWEEN STRAPPING AND OPTICAL METHOD

Vertical Cylinder Tank is used as a storage area or as a measuring tool. Liquids are used in the form of Fuel oil, Liquid Natural Gas, vegetable liquids, and other chemical liquids. The tank calibration results are in the form of a volume per height table that is used as a reference by Automatic Tank Gauging. There are two tank calibration methods, namely: the strapping method and the optical method. The process of measuring the inside or outside diameter of the tank becomes very important in the tank calibration process—the measurement of tank diameter by the strapping method using steel meters manually. At the same time, the optical method uses theodolite or total station. For tank diameters ≤ 5 m, the strapping method has smaller diameter measurement results with a difference of 0.7% compared to the optical method. In further research, a prototype can be developed that can accelerate the calibration process using the strapping method (for example, a vertical track measuring robot) or a low-cost prototype theodolite

A Wet-Stock Management and Leak Detection System for Fuel Tanks

One of the critical problems in wet-stock management is inaccurate (poor) tank calibration that masks the leakages from the underground storage tanks (USTs). Moreover, obtaining the correct tank parameters or re-calibration is an expensive procedure if not impossible. This study aims to prevent the masking effect of several tank parameters on the tank calibration chart and to improve the leak detection and wet-stock management for fuel storage tanks. This goal is achieved through obtaining the mathematical models for simple cylindrical tank that convert the measured liquid height to accurate liquid volume by taking into account the tank deformations. The accounted defor-mations in tank parameters are errors in radius, length, probe offset and axial and radial tank tilts, as well as volume change with temperature. The simulations using the actual data gathered from a commercial fuel service station showed that the approach developed in this study is valid. The deformation included tank models successfully pre-dicted the real fuel volumes. The results showed that the variance reduced from -300 L – +100 L range to -20 L – +20 L range for, which brings 67.2% improvement over the cumulative variance. This study also shows that obtaining the precise volume measurements by introducing models that account for the deformations in the UST is possible.

3D Laser Scanning Pointcloud Processing Uncertainty Estimation for Fuel Tank Volume Calibration

The implementation of modern 3D scanning method for horizontal fuel tanks’ calibration applications proposes versatility and advantages over the currently used volumetric method which requires using of liquid filler (in most cases water, and in some countries—gasoline). However, the data scatter in the 3D pointcloud deteriorates the accuracy of the volume calculation algorithm output and therefore increases the fuel tank volume measurement uncertainty. In this paper, the preprocessing method of the 3D pointcloud data is defined and the application for calibration of the horizontal fuel tanks is discussed. The uncertainty analysis and estimation of the horizontal fuel tank calibration is performed in this work implementing 3D pointcloud FIR filtering and regression preprocessing techniques. The mathematical model of the volume measurement and graduation was estimated, and the uncertainty sources were identified. The horizontal fuel tank graduation table is developed, and fragments of the calibration results using the scanning data from four fuel tanks with recommendations for the 3D pointcloud data processing are presented in this work.

MODELLING OF COST ESTIMATES FOR THE GEOMETRICAL CALIBRATION OF UPRIGHT OIL STORAGE TANKS

Cost estimation is a fundamental activity in engineering management and business decision making. It normally involves estimating the quantity of labor, materials, utilities, floor space, sales, overhead, time and other parameters over a given period of time. These estimates are used typically as inputs to deterministic analysis methods or to stochastic analysis methods. Cost of tank calibration which depends on the factors such as the capacity of tank, number of labour, method adopted, equipment etc. has not been standardized. In an attempt to standardize the cost of tank calibration, two separate models, one each for the two common methods of tank calibration; Manual Strapping Method (MSM) and Electro Optical Distance Ranging (EODR). These models were validated with actual cost of tank calibration obtained from four renowned calibration companies in the country and were found to be within the acceptable limit of ±10% deviation. Keywords: calibration, modeling, cost estimation, oil storage tank, standardization JEL Classifications: C2, C3, C5, D7 DOI: https://doi.org/10.32479/ijeep.8271

Comparative Analysis of Manual Strapping Method (MSM) and Electro-Optical Distance Ranging (EODR) Method of Tank Calibration

Oil storage tanks are mandated for calibration before putting to use and to be recalibrated as a statutory requirement at every five year interval. Oil tanks could be calibrated by geometrical methods such as Manual Strapping Method (MSM) and Electro-Optical Distance Ranging (EODR) method. This study compares both MSM and EODR in terms of cost incurred, duration of calibration and efficiency. Both methods were found to be efficient as they satisfied 95% minimum efficiency as stated by API MPMS 2.2 standard when compared with the wet method of tank calibration; though the cost of EODR was slightly higher than MSM but this was compensated with higher efficiency and reduced duration/time of calibration.

Tracked Wall-Climbing Robot for Calibration of Large Vertical Metal Tanks

Large vertical metal tanks are the primary vessels for the storage and turnover of crude oil, and the accuracy of their capacity calibrations are of great significance. The optical reference line method (ORLM) is used for capacity calibration and is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and hazardous, because of the elevated work. This paper aims to present a robot to overcome the problems above. We propose a tracked wall-climbing robot (TWCR) with permanent magnetic adhesion tracks, a collapsible scale, and an optional shovel-like rust remover that enable the TWCR to move stably on tank surfaces and perform the ORLM. Two sets of field tests (internal ORLM and external ORLM) indicate that capacity calibration by the TWCR is time saving, convenient, and safe, in addition to being accurate and reliable.

Characterization of a commercial lower-cost medium-precision non-dispersive infrared sensor for atmospheric CO<sub>2</sub> monitoring in urban areas

Abstract. CO2 emission estimates from urban areas can be obtained with a network of in situ instruments measuring atmospheric CO2 combined with high-resolution (inverse) transport modelling. Because the distribution of CO2 emissions is highly heterogeneous in space and variable in time in urban areas, gradients of atmospheric CO2 (here, dry air mole fractions) need to be measured by numerous instruments placed at multiple locations around and possibly within these urban areas. This calls for the development of lower-cost medium-precision sensors to allow a deployment at required densities. Medium precision is here set to be a random error (uncertainty) on hourly measurements of ±1 ppm or less, a precision requirement based on previous studies of network design in urban areas. Here we present tests of newly developed non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) sensors manufactured by Senseair AB performed in the laboratory and at actual field stations, the latter for CO2 dry air mole fractions in the Paris area. The lower-cost medium-precision sensors are shown to be sensitive to atmospheric pressure and temperature conditions. The sensors respond linearly to CO2 when measuring calibration tanks, but the regression slope between measured and assigned CO2 differs between individual sensors and changes with time. In addition to pressure and temperature variations, humidity impacts the measurement of CO2, with all of these factors resulting in systematic errors. In the field, an empirical calibration strategy is proposed based on parallel measurements with the lower-cost medium-precision sensors and a high-precision instrument cavity ring-down instrument for 6 months. The empirical calibration method consists of using a multivariable regression approach, based on predictors of air temperature, pressure and humidity. This error model shows good performances to explain the observed drifts of the lower-cost medium-precision sensors on timescales of up to 1–2 months when trained against 1–2 weeks of high-precision instrument time series. Residual errors are contained within the ±1 ppm target, showing the feasibility of using networks of HPP3 instruments for urban CO2 networks. Provided that they could be regularly calibrated against one anchor reference high-precision instrument these sensors could thus collect the CO2 (dry air) mole fraction data required as for top-down CO2 flux estimates.

An improved method for mobile characterisation of <i>δ</i><sup>13</sup>CH<sub>4</sub> source signatures and its application in Germany

Abstract. The carbon isotopic signature (δ13CH4) of several methane sources in Germany (around Heidelberg and in North Rhine-Westphalia) were characterised. Mobile measurements of the plume of CH4 sources are carried out using an analyser based on cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS). To achieve precise results a CRDS analyser, which measures methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2) and their 13C-to-12C ratios, was characterised especially with regard to cross sensitivities of composition differences of the gas matrix in air samples or calibration tanks. The two most important gases which affect δ13CH4 are water vapour (H2O) and ethane (C2H6). To avoid the cross sensitivity with H2O, the air is dried with a Nafion dryer during mobile measurements. C2H6 is typically abundant in natural gases and thus in methane plumes or samples originating from natural gas. A C2H6 correction and calibration are essential to obtain accurate δ13CH4 results, which can deviate by up to 3 ‰ depending on whether a C2H6 correction is applied. The isotopic signature is determined with the Miller–Tans approach and the York fitting method. During 21 field campaigns the mean δ13CH4 signatures of three dairy farms (-63.9±0.9‰), a biogas plant (-62.4±1.2‰), a landfill (-58.7±3.3‰), a wastewater treatment plant (-52.5±1.4‰), an active deep coal mine (-56.0±2.3‰) and two natural gas storage and gas compressor stations (-46.1±0.8‰) were recorded. In addition, between December 2016 and November 2018 gas samples from the Heidelberg natural gas distribution network were measured with a mean δ13CH4 value of -43.3±0.8‰. Contrary to previous measurements between 1991 and 1996 by Levin et al. (1999), no strong seasonal cycle is shown.

Radiofrequency method for measurement of liquefied petroleum gas mass in the tank of a gas tank truck

Radiofrequency method for measurement of liquefied petroleum gas mass under overload from gas tank trucks into tanks of automotive gas-filling stations and gas-holders is considered. Experience of application of radiofrequency measurement system SU-5D-MASS for mass measurement of various liquids and gas condensates under their storage in reservoirs and pumping through pipelines is taken into account. Optimization of measurement system is suggested implying equipment of 1–2 gas tank-cars by Coriolis flow-meters and radiofrequency sensor of liquefied petroleum gas mass in the tank of a gas tank-car while other gas tank-cars are equipped only such a mass sensor. New approach of calibration of tanks of gas tank trucks and automotive gas-filling stations is suggested.

NEVOD as a test facility for future neutrino telescopes

The possibility to calibrate the new optical modules mDOM of the IceCube-Upgrade neutrino telescope inside the tank of Cherenkov water detector NEVOD is discussed. Methods to calibrate optical modules are presented. The spatial lattice of the detector NEVOD and deployed outside of the water tank calibration telescope system and coordinate-tracking detector DECOR allow calibrating the response of mDOM with respect to the Cherenkov light from muons, muon bundles and cascades with known trajectories.

Acoustical experimental design for ultrasonic neurostimulation on rodents

While the mechanisms of ultrasonic neurostimulation are still unknown, this method has been successfully shown on rodents from a variety of research groups. While the results are compelling, there has been limited work in characterizing the acoustic fields that are generated and ultimately delivered to the rodent brain which is important in order to determine the underlying neurostimulation mechanism. This presentation details some of the acoustical experimental design processes that are being undertaken at JHU/APL as well as our current progress in the rodent ultrasonic neurostimulation. The experimental design utilizes a complementary process of both simulation and experimentation verification to determine the expected delivered acoustic wave field. The simulation encompasses the full propagation path from the single element focused transducer, through an acoustic waveguide and skull, to the treatment location. This work uses a focused transducer with a center frequency of 0.5 MHz with several different waveguides that are characterized in our calibration tank with regards to intensity over space. Each of these waveguides is modeled and compared relative to the focal spot size and intensity delivered to the focal spot. These measurements are used to select an optimal waveguide which is used in the model to determine the expected performance of the full system. The presented results compare the performance of the waveguides and their impact on ultrasonic delivery to the rodent brain.

A new downhole magnetic resonance imaging tool

This paper presents a novel inside-out magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device with axial, radial and circumferential measurements. The designed MRI probe employs array antenna and phase-controlled transmitters to accomplish spin echo data acquisition. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) has been successfully applied to downhole formation evaluation with unique information of in-situ reservoir properties for decades. Traditional NMR logging measurements, however, are averaged the whole sensitive volume. The designed downhole MRI tool overcomes the weakness of traditional technique and raise new applications such as for heterogeneous formation evaluation around well bore and for harsh borehole conditions. We demonstrate the feasibility with a prototype in a calibration tank. The acquired echo trains from different direction and different radial depth are in good quality.

Analysis of the radiated sound field of deep water multibeam echo sounders for return intensity calibration using an underwater hydrophone array

Multibeam echo sounders (MBES) are tools used to gather geophysical information on the seafloor and watercolumn which are important for feature detection, identifying gas seeps, and characterizing the seafloor, among others. At high frequencies (>100 kHz), MBES can be calibrated for their ensonification patterns in test tanks. However, deep water MBES feature long transmit arrays and varying geometries that make tank calibration impractical. The transmit arrays can be over 8m and have a far field range in the hundreds of meters. In addition, these systems use beam steering techniques to segment the swath into multiple sectors to mitigate ship motions, which complicates the radiated pattern and return intensity. This study will better characterize the radiated sound field of deep water MBES for return intensity calibration. A MBES survey was conducted using a Kongsberg EM122 MBES on the SCORE range, a submerged broadband hydrophone array. Hydrophones were spaced ~5 km apart and were continuously recording ...

Should the Standard Count Be Excluded from Neutron Probe Calibration?

Core Ideas Traditional count‐ratio‐based neutron probe calibration introduces unnecessary error. Count‐based calibration eliminates this error in water content measurement. Count‐based calibration is useful when the standard count is questionable or absent. The aging effect of a neutron probe over a period of 26 yr was negligible. About 6 decades after its introduction, the neutron probe (NP) remains one of the most accurate methods for indirect measurement of soil moisture content. Traditionally, the calibration of a NP involves the ratio of the neutron count in the soil to a standard count, which is the neutron count in the fixed environment such as the probe shield or a specially designed calibration tank. The drawback of this count‐ratio‐based calibration is that the error in the standard count is carried through to all the measurements. An alternative calibration is to use the neutron counts only, not the ratio, with proper correction for radioactive decay and counting time. To evaluate both approaches, the shield counts of a NP used for three decades were analyzed. The results show that the ground surface conditions have a substantial effect on the standard count. The error in the standard count also impacts the calculation of water storage and could indicate false consistency among replicates. The analysis of the shield counts indicates negligible aging effect of the instrument over a period of 26 yr. It is concluded that, by excluding the standard count, the use of the count‐based calibration is appropriate and sometimes even better than ratio‐based calibration. The count‐based calibration is especially useful for historical data when the standard count was questionable or absent.