Application of external-mounted level gauges in hazardous chemical tank farms

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As a completely non-contact type of gauge, the external-mounted level gauge has inherent advantages for measuring the level in hazardous chemical storage tanks: it requires no drilling, no use of fire, and no need to empty the tanks. This ensures safe and stable operation. So, what types of fluids are commonly measured by external level gauges? Next, we will learn about the application of five commonly used media through five cases. The application of external-mounted level gauges in the measurement of liquid chlorine. Sichuan Jilantai Chlor-Alkali Chemical Co., Ltd. specializes in the production of caustic soda and PVC resin. In 2006, the company came into contact with Dinghua Electronics’ external-mounted level gauges and learned about their feature of preventing leaks without the need for any openings; these gauges are particularly suitable for use in liquid chlorine storage tanks. The company purchased 9 such level gauges – six for horizontal liquid chlorine tanks and three for horizontal vinyl chloride monomer tanks. After installation, these gauges provided very accurate measurements. Installation and maintenance could be carried out online, without the need to shut down the tanks, which was very convenient and helped reduce production costs. The response to these gauges was positive. Application of external-mounted level gauges in the measurement of liquid ammonia media. Huaneng Dongfang Power Plant in China is located in the Xiaozhou Industrial Development Zone in Dongfang City, Hainan Province, and is planned to have 4 supercritical coal-fired generating units with a capacity of 350,000 kilowatts each. Phase I of the project involves the construction of 2 ultra-supercritical coal-fired generating units with a capacity of 350,000 kilowatts each, representing the first such units of their kind in China. It is also Hainan Province’s first ultra-supercritical coal-fired power plant. The project included the simultaneous construction of a 50,000-ton dedicated coal terminal for thermal coal, as well as flue gas desulfurization and denitration facilities. It was the first thermal power project in Hainan Province to be equipped with such flue gas treatment systems. Construction began on September 28, 2007, and the plant was fully operational for power generation by December 2009. The boiler and steam turbine generator set are respectively from Harbin Boiler and Harbin Steam Equipment. Dongfang Power Plant installed one Dinghua Electronics external-mounted level gauge in 2015 to monitor the liquid level in the liquid ammonia storage tank. This gauge has been in use to this day, operating properly with high measurement accuracy; therefore, Dinghua Electronics’ external-mounted level gauges are reliable choices for use. Application of external-mounted level gauges in the measurement of liquefied gas media. A light hydrocarbon tank farm at a refinery belonging to Sinopec uses external-mounted level gauges produced by Dinghua Electronics; previously, magnetic flap level gauges were used. Due to the special properties of the medium and its sensitivity to temperature, measurement errors were significant, and the facility faced constant problems related to level measurement and maintenance. Since 2004, external level gauges have been installed in the light hydrocarbon storage tank area; a total of 17 such gauges have been used to date. These gauges are operating properly, with their errors remaining within the limits specified by the instruments. The use of these external level gauges has significantly reduced the amount of work required by the maintenance staff, and it has also led to a substantial decrease in the costs associated with instrument maintenance. The greatest advantage of external-mounted level gauges is that they can be automatically synchronized and calibrated, without the measurement accuracy being affected by factors such as the composition of the liquid being measured, its density, temperature, pressure, the wall thickness of the container, or the degree of corrosion on its inner and outer walls ； Automatic synchronization and calibration of the instruments eliminates the need for customers to stop production annually for instrument calibration, thereby avoiding any impact on production ； External-mounted level gauges do not require any openings in the tank, nor do they come into contact with the medium inside the tank; thus, measurement is carried out entirely from the outside, **which reduces the risk of safety accidents. Application of external-mounted level gauges in the measurement of propylene media: A facility in Changling has an annual crude oil processing capacity of 8 million tons, an annual polypropylene production capacity of 100,000 tons, along with supporting systems for oil storage and transportation, thermal power generation, water supply and drainage, as well as testing and analysis systems. The main products include more than 60 types such as gasoline, diesel, naphtha, benzene derivatives, liquefied gas, solvent oils, polypropylene, modified asphalt, and emulsified asphalt. The products are mainly sold in regions such as Hunan and Hubei, Guangdong and Guangxi, as well as Yunnan, Guizhou and Sichuan. The modified asphalt produced under the \"Donghai\" brand was used to pave the main runway of the Olympic Stadium’s Bird’s Nest ； High-speed rail-specific emulsified asphalt was successfully applied in the construction of the Wuhan-Guangzhou high-speed rail, achieving the localization of such asphalt. In the technical renovation project for the liquefied gas tank area in 2013, the radar level gauges used on some of the tanks there lacked accuracy over time, which led to frequent fluctuations in measurements. Repairing them was troublesome and required shutting down operations. Later, the client learned about Dinghua Electronics’ external-mounted level gauges, which are easy to install – no drilling is needed, and operations do not have to be halted. They are also easy to calibrate, and their accuracy is sufficient for measuring the liquid level of the substances stored in the tanks. In May 2014, one such level gauge was installed on an propylene sphere tank, and it has been functioning well ever since. In January 2015, another external-mounted level gauge was installed, and it has continued to provide accurate measurements with high stability to this day, earning the approval of the client. Application of external-mounted level gauges in the measurement of vinyl chloride: A chemical plant in Shenyang is located in Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, a key industrial region in China, and ranks among the top national chlor-alkali enterprises in terms of overall strength. The company’s core products are centered around chlor-alkali chemicals, with high-value-added derivatives based on these chemicals forming the backbone of its product portfolio; this includes caustic soda, hydrochloric acid, liquid chlorine, PVC resin for pastes, fumed silica, chlorinated paraffins, and lubricating oils. In 2015, the magnetostrictive level gauges used in the vinyl chloride tank area often indicated incorrect levels. Through industry contacts, it was learned that the external-mounted level gauges produced by Dinghua Electronics performed very well when used to monitor vinyl chloride storage tanks. These external level gauges require no openings and thus cause no leaks, which means that the installation and calibration process can be carried out without interrupting operations or using flame-based methods. This ensures maximum safety during the operation of the tank area. The contactless measurement method and the need for no maintenance free the instrument operators from the dangerous and labor-intensive tasks associated with traditional level gauges, earning them high praise from the field technicians.