How te obtain better measuring in one tool ?

The surface mounted thermometer is an unreliable meter for controlling the temperature in a tank container. Our customers require more accurate temperature control when handling heated products. The use of a flanged top-mounted thermometer can increase the control of the temperature in the tank to increase safety, quality and productivity. The thermometer sends the temperatures to an access point, from where the temperature can be used for further steps, for example the input of a control valve. The thermometer is now in a test phase and needs to be further developed to instantly show the average temperature of the product and to be used to control the heating process. In addition to the temperature the pressure and volume also can be measured and monitored in real-time which will resulting in a much better control and management of the product. The MultiProbe is an easy-to-handle and all-in-one multi-tool which contains high-end sensors in a full proof stainless steel housing.

PROTOTYPE:

All-in-one tool MultiProbe 1.0

Fully automatic tank management system for continuously monitoring and controlling of all your worldwide fluids transports.

All in one

1. Temperature at MULTI-levels  

2. Volume level

3. Pressure

4. Location

Real time control

• Real time monitoring

• Remote control 

• Data logging

• Plug & Play PLC

• GPS Track & Trace

Features

• wired and wireless connections

• schock/temp/water/chemical proof

• multi high-end temperature sensors

• 1 high-end pressure sensor

• 1 high-end volume level sensor

• ATEX certification

• full stainless steel body

• plug & play PLC access

• datalogger plus usb-c port

• real time data monitoring

• wifi remote control

• GPS wifi/G3/G4

FOOTPRINT REDUCTION

• reduction of the amount of handlings and use of steam significantly reduces environmental impact

• lower energy use for temp management (maintaining basic fluid temp)

• less human transport miles due to remote control and remote management

• lower use of materials & production energy

• lower cleaning and maintenance impact

Tank News International - July 23th, 2018

The science behind tank containers and customer needs

ISO tank leasing group Peacock Container has completed a three-month analysis of the cooling profile of tank containers in cooperation with a researcher from Delft University of Technology. Temperature sensors were placed at various points inside a heated stainless steel tank to form a comprehensive profile of the heat-retaining capacity and cooling behavior of the container in various situations. Chemical Engineering Masters' student Julia de Geus comments "A tank container on a moving truck shows a temperature reduction per day 3 to 4 times higher than the daily temperature decrease of a stationary tank".

Our research also looked at the impact of ambient temperature in various locations: among other results, a container stored at an unsheltered outdoor location registered a significant temperature drop in the first 24 hours.

"With these models and findings, we can provide customers more tailor-made information about the temperature of their product in our tank containers. We value this co-operation with a researcher from Delft University of Technology, and aim to continue this research", concludes Technical Manager ir. Dirkjan Journee.

RESEARCH CONCLUSIONS

• An outside located tank cools down faster then an sheltered located tank

• At the edges, there is a temperature drop of 66°to 30°C in the first day and then a more linear behavior of about 0.5-1°C per day. 

• Coldspots in thetank are alongthesides of thetank, thewarm spots are in thecoreof thetank.

• Whenthetank is on a drivingtruck, thereis a coolingfactor of about2.5-3.5°C per day compared to 1-2°C per day cooling for a stationary tank.

SOLUTIONS

1. The surface mounted thermometer is an unreliable meter for controlling the temperature in a tankcontainer

2. The use of a flanged top-mounted thermometer can increase the control of the temperature in the tank to increase safety, quality and productivity. 

3. Using the thermometer will decrease costs, decrease risk and decrease environmental impact

4. The thermometer is now in a test phase and needs to be further developed to instantly show the average temperature of the product and to be used to control the heating process. 

The surface mounted thermometer is an unreliable meter for controlling the temperature in a tankcontainer

Our customers require more accurate temperature control when handling heated products. Poor temperature control can cause major safety, quality, and/or productivity problems. 

Tank containers are generally equipped with a surface mounted thermometer (digital or analogue). Surface mounted thermometers are unreliable when the average product temperature is required. 

Research goals   

• How does the cooling profile of a loaded stainless-steel tank look like when heated up to 60°C?

• What is the influence of transport on the cool process?

• Does the cooling profile of an outside located tank differs from a sheltered located tank?

• On which points in the tank goes the cooling fast and where slower? 

Heat transfer

Focus on heat conduction via conduction: due to a driving force that is caused by a temperature difference. This is described by Fouriers law. 

General heat transfer equation:
Q = UAΔT + hAΔT + ϵσAΔT4
(UAΔT = conduction / hAΔT = Convection / ϵσAΔT4 = radiation)

Q= heat transferred per unit of time [W]

• U= the overall heat transfer coefficient [W/m.K]

• A= heat transfer area [m.]

• ∆T = the mean transfer difference [K]

• h = heat transfer coefficient [W/m.K]

• ϵ = emissivity factor [-]

• σ= Stefan–Boltzmann constant [W/m2K4]

Heat profile

Thermal bridges