In chemical plants and industrial facilities, storage tanks serve as the backbone of material handling — providing buffering, storage, and batching functions.
Accurate and stable level measurement inside these tanks is fundamental to safe production, process efficiency, and commercial accountability, especially in tank farm operations.
Why Does Level Measurement Matter?
1. Process Control
Level information directly affects:
Continuity of production
Smooth feed transitions
Load allocation between units
2. Safety and Risk Prevention
Abnormal tank levels are often the first indicator of:
Overflow and environmental spills
Pumps running dry
False interlock activation
Shutdowns and safety incidents
3. Inventory & Custody Transfer
In many facilities, tank level is tied to:
Material valuation
Supply planning
Transfer accounting
Fiscal and regulatory compliance
A small measurement error can translate into significant commercial loss.
Not Just “Install and Measure” — Level Selection Is a System Decision
Choosing the right level instrument is far more than buying a device that fits the nozzle.
It requires a balanced evaluation of multiple parameters, including:
Media properties: density, vapor pressure, corrosiveness, viscosity, conductivity
Process conditions: temperature, pressure, agitation, foam, vapor blanket
Measurement expectation: precision, repeatability, drift stability, remote visibility
Safety requirements: hazardous area classification, leak prevention, SIL/IEC compliance
Lifecycle considerations: calibration needs, maintenance access, total cost of ownership
Different measurement technologies use different physical principles and thrive under different operating conditions.
The Cost of Wrong Selection
Measurement drift causing process imbalance
Frequent maintenance shutdowns
False trips and nuisance alarms
Premature instrument failure
Severe safety and environmental risk during abnormal operation
Conversely, a correctly selected level instrument provides:
Reliable data
Long-term stability
Low maintenance effort
High operational uptime
From Instrument to System Capability
In an era emphasizing automation, digitalization, and plant-wide reliability, tank level measurement is no longer simply an instrumentation decision.
It reflects the enterprise’s ability to:
Control its processes precisely
Manage risk proactively
Operate efficiently and sustainably