Calibration of tanks and containers

Tanks are often used as measuring equipment for trade in, for example, petroleum products. However,
reliance on the nominal volume of a tank (e.g. as derived from a drawing) can result in an error of one
percent or even more. An error of one percent in Sweden’s annual import of petroleum products is
equivalent to 300 000 m3. In order to reduce this error, we need to know the effective area of tanks
more accurately.

Calibrating tanks is a good start. Although this is most critical for large tanks (the largest that we have
calibrated has a volume of 150 000 m3) that are used for what is known as ‘custody transfer’, we also
calibrate very small tanks or vessels, right down to pipette volumes.

The commonest shape of a tank used for measurement purposes is that of a vertical cylinder, but we
often calibrate considerably more complex shapes.

Most of our tank calibration work is performed in Sweden. However, we also make measurements at
short notice throughout Europe, and have on a number of occasions been involved in projects in other
parts of the world, such as the Middle East or Asia.

Deciding on the required accuracy level

Calibrations can be performed with various specified accuracy levels, as most appropriate to the
particular requirements.

Methodology

The volumes of most tanks are determined geometrically when they are empty. Smaller tanks can be
calibrated volumetrically, by filling the tank with liquid via a calibrated meter.

Not just calibration

These calibrations provide a large quantity of geometrical information that can be useful for other
purposes, such as site or general arrangement drawings, deformation or settlement measurements.

RISE is also involved in international standardisation work.

Orifice meter

The Constructor
CALIBRATION OF ORIFICEMETER

OBJECTIVE:

(i) To calibrate the instrument (by determining the constants K and n, assuming
the actual discharge Qa = K*Hhgn).

(ii) To determine the coefficient of discharge (Cd) of the given orifice meter for
different rates of flow.

(iii) To study the variation of Cd and discharge with respect the head by plotting
the following graphs.

Cd Vs HHg

Qa Vs Log HHg (to find K and n )

Qa Vs HHg (using K and n values)

EQUIPMENT:
a) Measuring tank of Size 0.6 x 0.6 x 0.8 metre with overflow arrangement, gauge
glass, scale arrangement and a drain valve.

b) Stop Watch.

c) Orifice meters fitted onto horizontal pipes of diameters 20mm, 25mm and
40mm with pressure tapping’s and gate valves to regulate flow rate.

d) Differential mercury manometer with wooden scale of 1m length and scale

graduations of 1mm to measure the loss of head.

e) The orifice diameter corresponding to the pipe diameters are as follows:

BASICS:

Orifice meter or orifice plate is a device used for measuring the rate of flow of a
fluid through a pipe. It works on the same principle as a venturimeter. It consists
of a flat circular plate which has a circular sharp edged hole called orifice, which is
concentric with the pipe. The orifice diameter is 0.5 times the diameter of the
pipe. A differential manometer is connected at section 1 which is at a distance of
about 1.5 to 2 times the pipe diameter upstream from the orifice plate, and at
section 2, which is at a distance of about half the diameter of the orifice on the
downstream side from the orifice plate.

Water meter

OBJECTIVE:

(i) To calibrate the given water meter

EQUIPMENT:

a) Water meter of size 25 mm with a needle and number gauge

b) Measuring tank of size .6x.6x.8 meter with over flow arrangement, gauge glass
scale arrangement and a grain valve

c) Stop watch

BASICS:

Water meter is one of the most common types of quantity measuring meter used
in pipe lines for measuring quantity of flow. In rotary type of water meter water
flows across inclined passage where propeller is free to rotate. The propeller
rotates due to the flow of water over the (gauges) vanes operates a series of
gears. These gears are connected to the needle through a spindle. The needle
rotates over a graduated dial, indicates the flow of water in liters. One revolution
of the needle indicates a flow of 10 liters of water through the water meter;
simultaneously the numbered gauge rotates by one division.

Actual discharge

(Qact)=ah/t m3/s

Where

a-area of collecting tank in cm2

h-height difference of water in collecting tank

t-Mean time taken to collect 10 cm of water

Theoretical discharge

(Qth) = (N*10*10-3)/tm
Where

N-no. of turns of water meter needle

Tm-mean time taken

Error = (Qth – Qa) / Qth *100