I was asked to chair the third day of the Second Annual Bulk Liquid Storage Tanks Conference held from 25 to 27 June at the Birchwood Hotel and Conference Centre. The feedback from the 47 delegates was immensely positive regarding the content, the calibre of speakers, the conference's ability to present new ideas and providing the opportunity to establish new business relationships.
Vivian MacFadyen
Although this industry only requires a narrow array of instrumentation, the different speakers opened up intriguing understanding of a subject that many of us do not even consider under usual circumstances. Did you know that large tanks, the type you see whilst passing a petroleum refinery, are continuously moving?
As they fill up, they get fatter and shorter. The temperature of the product causes expansion and contraction. These movements, even though they are measured in a few millimetres make it difficult to automatically measure the volume of product in the tank.
If you mount a level gauge on the top of the tank, the gauge goes up and down, or the cross sectional area changes. This makes a simple formula of πr²xh impossible to apply. Obviously, this applies to accurate measurement required for custody transfer, if you are simply preventing the tank over-filling or being sucked dry, you could almost use a plastic bag.
This highlights the fact that the instrument application engineer needs to fully understand an application before specifying a gauge. It is no good supplying a gauge suitable for 1 mm accuracy if the mounting structure moves up and down by 10 mm, and wobbles in the wind. Well, now I am on my old hobby-horse - skills. If we do not have students that have studied physical science in their schooling, how will they even hope to understand the implications of industrial measurement, let alone use a tape measure?
SAIMC: From the office of the COO SAIMC
SAIMC
The recognition of mechatronics and computer engineering has created both an opportunity and a responsibility. Recognition means little without participation, professional registration without professional conduct, and technical knowledge without the mentorship, implementation and measurable value that industry needs.
Read more...SAIMC: Johannesburg branch SAIMC
SAIMC
Hendrik Spies of SICK Automation Southern Africa presented at the SAIMC Johannesburg Technology Evening on 12 August 2026, covering the digital journey from condition monitoring to predictive maintenance.
Read more...SAIMC: Durban branch SAIMC
SAIMC
The SAIMC Durban branch hosted S’yabonga Langa, systems performance engineer at eThekwini Electricity, who presented on applying substation automation to improve operational efficiency and service quality in modern power distribution networks.
Read more...SAIMC: Eastern Cape branch SAIMC
SAIMC
The SAIMC Eastern Cape Branch co-hosted a satellite viewing site for ICRA 2026 at Nelson Mandela University, giving postgraduate students, academics and local industry professionals access to premier international robotics and automation keynote sessions.
Read more...SAIMC: Johannesburg Technology Evening SAIMC
SAIMC
The SAIMC Johannesburg Branch July Technology Evening, hosted by WIKA Instruments, covered key level measurement technologies and featured live product demonstrations from area sales manager Anthony Terblanche.
Read more...International robotics conference streams live to Africa
SAIMC
The SAIMC hosted five live-stream viewing events across South Africa for the IEEE International Conference of Robotics and Automation in Vienna, bringing global robotics research and technology directly to local industry and academia.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.
printer friendly version