DELiquid gas tanks
Liquid petroleum gas (LPG) and liquid natural gas (LNG) applications
To transport the gases in bulk, they are liquefied by applying a pressure of approx. +10 bar or by cooling them down to -70 °C to -170 °C. To make the process more efficient and cost effective, both physical principles are often used in combination. Due to the considerable pressure and temperature loads on their structural materials, the tanks are made of special stainless steel and insulated from the body of the ship. Spherical tanks, which jut out visibly over the deck, are commonly used. The gas tanks on LNG tankers can be up to 45 m high.
LPG level measurement with VEGAPULS 66 and ball valve fitting
The non-contact measuring principle radar enables simple and reliable level measurement. Due to the poor reflective properties of liquid gas, the radiated energy is guided and focussed in a standpipe. Because it operates with a lower frequency in the C band range, VEGAPULS 66 requires an aperture of only 50 mm diameter. This makes it possible to measure right through the aperture of an opened ball valve ftting.
LNG-level measurement at low temperatures
VEGAPULS 63 is the ideal sensor for applications in very low temperatures. Due to its front-flush, PTFE-coated antenna, the sensor requires no sealing material and can be applied in extremely low temperatures down to -200 °C.
Monitoring the tank pressure with VEGABAR 52
Because the liquefaction process depends to a large degree on the pressure inside the tank, this pressure must be monitored continuously. To carry this monitoring out at extremely low temperatures, the medium that conveys the pressure to the measuring instrument must be warmed up to -40 °C via evaporation lines. VEGABAR 52 is particularly suitable for this application due to its ceramic measuring cell. The special seal material, as well as the dry measuring cell, allow product temperatures down to -50 °C.
» VEGAPULS 66
» VEGAPULS 63
» VEGABAR 52
