Importance of Robust and Precise Level Gauging in Crude Oil Operations

Whether it's a VLCC or a Handysize tanker, the solution used for measuring tank levels demands precise long-distance capabilities and, above all, a safe and reliable technology. It's crucial to choose a radar designed to withstand the harsh marine environment, as well as having the capability to process weak signals originating from turbulence or foam covering the liquid in the tank. Crude oil is diverse and has different chemical properties, making it more or less reflective, depending on its dielectric constant. This puts further demand on any radar. Understanding the importance of having a digital broad bandwidth Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) radar in combination with a parabolic antenna is therefore critical. Digital signal treatment implies an undistorted signal chain, while the broad bandwidth FMCW technology safeguards precision and temperature stability. The parabolic antenna design has proven to be the best-suited antenna technology.