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Its a concerning question for fuel tank owners in the quest for better results and curb fuel shortages at their service stations. There are several ways to calibrate a fuel storage tank, but in this article I will cover two traditional methods that are common everywhere especially in developing countries.

The desire to get the best out of your fuel tank is of great essence to every tank owner. One often asks what is the best way I can Calibrate my fuel tank.

For the purpose of this article, we will not get in to the details of the two methods as I have made seperate articles for those. If you haven't read them, you can read on these links Liquid Tank Calibration and Strapping Tank Calibration.

However in brief, Liquid Tank Calibration is done by dispensing measured amount of liquid into the tank and measuring the depth or level of the liquid using calibration dip tapes. The dispensing is done gradualy taking measurements at each stop. On the other hand, Strapping Tank Calibration is done by strapping the external tank measurements using measuring tapes and gradients of the tank.

To have a better comparison lets look at the advantages and disadvantages of each method.

Liquid Tank Calibration

Advantages

Easy to undertake with well defined methodology which is easy to follow
Highly accurate often produces good results
Applicable to all types of tanks. It can be applied to any tank including shapeless, tilted, deformed, underground and aboveground/skid tanks

Disadvantages

High cost. To do the process, one need enough product to fill the tank and transportation of the product and the transporter delays often attracts extra charges.
Temperature variations during calibration. The temperature variations affects the density of fuel. Thus fuel will pass the meter at a higher temperature and contracts after it enters the tank. This leads to inaccurate calibration chart if not carefully taken into cosideration.
Human Error collecting calibration data. Since the process is manual, it is prone to errors during calibration. This is due to waves that are created during pouring of fuel and the dips are taken immediately before the fuel settles down

Strapping Tank Calibration

Advantages

Cheaper as it requires no fuel or liquid product to carry out the tank calibration.
Highly accurate as it accounts for the gradual increament of volume per mili-meter.
Fast. Because the process requires taking of external measurements, it takes short time to carry out the process

Disadvantages

Limited to only exposed tanks i.e. aboveground or skid tanks
Easily becomes inaccurate if tank makes any movements after calibration is done.
Very difficult to be accurate if the tank has deformities or has irregular shape.
Temperature effect. Because tanks that can be strapped are usually exposed, it means that every change in temperature affects the level of fuel in the tank

Conclusion

As we have seen in the section above, there are both advantages and disadvantages in the two methods. The final choice is however determined by several factors.

There are tanks that con only be done through one process and these are underground tanks. Because there is no way one can take external measurements, it means the can only be done through liquid calibration or 3D laser scanning of the inside of the tank.
Tanks that are exposed however can have both calibrations but some, though exposed cannot be calibrated using strapping method. These are:
- - Tanks with irregular shapes
- - Deformed tanks
- - Tanks that are over tilted i.e. 25 degrees and above
- - Tanks that are confined not allowing technicians to take measurements
- - Unsecured tanks that are moved by the fullness or emptiness of the fuel inside

As we have seen, liquid calibration has a more edge over strapping method as it can be applied to any tank. However on tanks that can be applied strapping calibration, monetary and time costs will make strapping a desirable method.

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