JP2005214847A - Instrument and method for measuring sludge - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an instrument and a method for measuring sludge capable of measuring precisely and easily a boundary position between a crude oil stored in a crude oil tank and a sludge layer deposited in a bottom part in the crude oil tank. <P>SOLUTION: This sludge measuring instrument has a sensor 22 for transmitting an ultrasonic wave horizontal-directionally in the crude oil tank and for receiving a reflected ultrasonic wave reflected therein, a high-frequency cable 26 and a cable drum 28 for moving the sensor 22 vertically in the crude oil tank, and an ultrasonic flaw detector 42 for measuring the reflected ultrasonic wave received by the sensor 22, and for detecting a boundary between the crude oil stored in the crude oil tank and the sludge layer deposited in the bottom part of the crude oil tank, based on a peak value of the reflected wave ultrasonic wave. A scale for measuring a relative height of the sensor 22 in the crude oil tank is marked in the high-frequency cable 26. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a sludge measuring device and method for measuring the boundary position between crude oil stored in a crude oil tank and a sludge layer deposited on the bottom of the crude oil tank.

  Sludge accumulates at the bottom of the crude oil tank where the crude oil is stored. This sludge may cause a decrease in the effective storage amount in the crude oil tank, or may cause a suction failure when it accumulates in the vicinity of the discharge port of the crude oil tank. Furthermore, the sludge accumulated at the bottom of the crude oil tank becomes an obstacle when the crude oil tank is placed on the floating roof. For this reason, it is required to accurately manage the sludge accumulated at the bottom of the crude oil tank by accurately grasping the amount of sludge deposited, the thickness of the sludge layer, its distribution, and the like.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a conventional weight spindle type sludge measuring instrument used for measuring the boundary position between crude oil stored in a crude oil tank and a sludge layer.

  As shown in the figure, sludge is accumulated at the bottom of the crude oil tank 102 in which the crude oil 100 is stored, and a sludge layer 104 is formed. The sludge layer 104 includes sludge layers having different properties such as hardness, such as a hard hard sludge layer and a soft soft sludge layer.

  The measurer 106 sinks a weight 114 attached to one end of the tape measure 112 into the crude oil tank 102 from a gauge hatch 110 or the like provided on the floating roof 108 of the crude oil tank 102.

  While the weight weight 114 sinks in the crude oil tank 102, the measurer 106 senses the change in buoyancy applied to the weight weight 114 by the hand feeling through the tape measure 112, and the boundary between the crude oil 100 and the sludge layer 104. Is detected. Then, the scale of the tape measure 112 when the boundary between the crude oil 100 and the sludge layer 104 is detected is read, and the boundary position between the crude oil 100 and the sludge layer 104 is measured.

  Thus, conventionally, the measurement of the boundary position between the crude oil and the sludge layer in the crude oil tank has been performed based on the sense of the calibrator.

On the other hand, Patent Document 1 discloses a method for measuring the interface position of a radioactive sludge accumulated in a radioactive waste storage tank using ultrasonic waves, instead of being based on the sense of the scale as described above. Yes.
JP-A-55-57115

  In the conventional weight-weighted sludge measuring instrument, the buoyancy change relative to the weight is detected by the hand of the measuring person. For this reason, the measurement result may vary depending on the measurement person. In addition, there is a drawback that a high degree of skill is required for accurate measurement.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a sludge measuring device and method capable of easily measuring a boundary position between crude oil stored in a crude oil tank and a sludge layer deposited on the bottom of the crude oil tank with high accuracy. is there.

  The object is to transmit a ultrasonic wave in the horizontal direction in the crude oil tank and receive the reflected ultrasonic wave, an elevating means for moving the sensor means in the vertical direction in the crude oil tank, and the sensor. Means for measuring reflected ultrasonic waves received by the means and detecting a boundary between the crude oil in the crude oil tank and a sludge layer deposited on the bottom of the crude oil tank based on the peak value; and the sensor And a height measuring means for measuring a relative height of the means in the crude oil tank.

  In the sludge measuring apparatus, the reflected ultrasonic measuring means measures reflected ultrasonic waves at an upper layer of the crude oil in the crude oil tank, and the reflected ultrasonic waves are moved while the sensor means is moved by the lifting / lowering means. And detecting a crest value below a threshold value determined based on a crest value of the reflected ultrasonic wave measured at the upper layer of the crude oil in the crude oil tank, and the crude oil in the crude oil tank and the crude oil tank You may make it detect the boundary with the sludge layer deposited on the bottom part.

Further, in the sludge measuring apparatus, the sensor means is disposed opposite to the reflecting plate and the reflecting plate, transmits ultrasonic waves toward the reflecting plate, and is reflected by the reflecting plate. You may make it have an ultrasonic probe which receives a sound wave.
In addition, the above purpose is to transmit ultrasonic waves in the horizontal direction while changing the position in the vertical direction in the crude oil tank, receive reflected ultrasonic waves, and measure the reflected ultrasonic waves based on the reception results of the reflected ultrasonic waves. And detecting the boundary between the crude oil in the crude oil tank and the sludge layer deposited on the bottom of the crude oil tank based on the peak value, and the sludge layer deposited on the crude oil in the crude oil tank and the bottom of the crude oil tank. This is achieved by a sludge measuring method characterized by measuring a position where a boundary between the two is detected.

  Further, in the above sludge measuring method, the reflected ultrasonic wave is measured at the upper layer of the crude oil in the crude oil tank, and is determined based on the peak value of the reflected ultrasonic wave measured at the upper layer of the crude oil in the crude oil tank. The boundary between the crude oil in the crude oil tank and the sludge layer deposited on the bottom of the crude oil tank may be detected by detecting the peak value below the threshold value.

  Further, in the above sludge measuring method, ultrasonic waves are transmitted in the horizontal direction by an ultrasonic probe, and reflected ultrasonic waves that are arranged facing the ultrasonic probe and reflected by a reflector are used as the ultrasonic waves. You may make it receive by a probe.

  As described above, according to the present invention, in the crude oil tank, the ultrasonic wave is transmitted in the horizontal direction while changing the position in the vertical direction, the reflected ultrasonic wave is received, and the reflection is performed based on the reception result of the reflected ultrasonic wave. The ultrasonic wave is measured, and the boundary between the crude oil in the crude oil tank and the sludge layer deposited at the bottom of the crude oil tank is detected based on the peak value, and the sludge layer deposited at the bottom of the crude oil tank and the crude oil in the crude oil tank. Therefore, the boundary position between the crude oil stored in the crude oil tank and the sludge layer deposited on the bottom of the crude oil tank can be easily measured with high accuracy.

  A sludge measuring apparatus and method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the state of sludge measurement by the sludge measuring device according to the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of the sludge measuring device according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a sludge according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a side view showing the sensor in the sludge measuring device according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the ultrasonic wave transmitted by the ultrasonic probe in the sludge measuring device according to the present embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the reflected ultrasound signal received by a sound wave signal and an ultrasound probe.

[1] Sludge Measuring Device First, the sludge measuring device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the sludge measuring device 10 according to the present embodiment is installed in a gauge hatch 18 provided on a floating roof 16 of a crude oil tank 14 in which crude oil 12 is stored, and is installed at the bottom of the crude oil tank 14. The sludge layer 20 to be deposited is measured.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the sludge measuring device according to the present embodiment includes a sensor 22 that has a sensor 22 that detects the sludge layer 20 by sinking vertically in the crude oil tank 14 from a gauge hatch 18 or the like. 24 and a cable winding unit 30 having a cable drum 28 for winding the high-frequency cable 26 to which the sensor 22 is connected, and between the sludge detection unit 24 and the cable winding unit 30 and attached to the high-frequency cable 26. And an attached crude oil removing section 34 having an oil separator 32 for removing crude oil.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the gauge lid 18 in which the sludge measuring device according to the present embodiment is installed has an upper lid 18 a opened. A support frame 36 of the sludge measuring device according to the present embodiment is fixed to the side wall of the gauge hatch 18 by a fixing hook 38 provided at one end thereof. A cable drum 28 that winds up the high-frequency cable 26 is attached to the other end of the support frame 36 so that its rotating shaft is horizontal. The cable drum 28 is provided with a handle 28 a for the scale measurer 11 to rotate the cable drum 28.

  In the vicinity of the cable hatch 28 of the cable drum 28, the high-frequency cable 26 suspended from the cable drum 28 is moved in the horizontal direction in the vicinity of the cable drum 28 in accordance with the rotation of the cable drum 28 and aligned with the cable drum 28. An aligner 40 is provided to allow the high-frequency cable 26 to be wound in a state where the cable is wound.

  Further, an oil separator 32 that removes crude oil adhering to the high-frequency cable 26 is fixed to the support frame 36 so that most of the oil separator 32 is located in the gauge hatch 18.

  A sensor 22 having an ultrasonic probe that transmits ultrasonic waves in the horizontal direction is connected to one end of the high-frequency cable 26. The high-frequency cable 26 having the sensor 22 connected to one end passes through the oil separator 32 and is wound around the cable drum 28 via the aligner 40. An ultrasonic flaw detector 42 for measuring reflected ultrasonic waves based on a signal from the sensor 22 is connected to the other end of the high-frequency cable 26 wound up by the cable drum 28.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the sensor 22 in the sludge detection unit 24 includes a housing main body 44, an ultrasonic probe 46 that is provided in the housing main body 44 and transmits ultrasonic waves in the horizontal direction, and an ultrasonic probe. In order to maintain the posture of the sensor 22 when sinking in the crude oil tank 14, the reflector 48 disposed opposite to the ultrasonic transmission surface 46 and reflecting the ultrasonic wave transmitted from the ultrasonic probe 46. Horizontal balance weights 50 and 52.

  The ultrasonic probe 46 is a device in which an ultrasonic wave is generated by applying a voltage, and a vibrator that generates a voltage when receiving the ultrasonic wave is housed in a protective case. As shown in FIG. 4, the ultrasonic probe 46 transmits ultrasonic waves in the horizontal direction toward the reflection plate 48, and receives the reflected ultrasonic waves reflected by the reflection plate 48 and generates reception signals. The ultrasonic probe 46 is connected to the ultrasonic flaw detector 42 by the high frequency cable 26, and transmits ultrasonic waves by a pulse voltage applied from the ultrasonic flaw detector 42 through the high frequency cable 26. A reception signal obtained by the ultrasonic probe 46 receiving the reflected ultrasonic wave reflected by the reflecting plate 48 is input to the ultrasonic flaw detector 42 via the high-frequency cable 26.

  The reflection plate 48 is attached to the side of the housing main body 44 by a pair of horizontal plates 44a, and is disposed to face the ultrasonic transmission surface of the ultrasonic probe 46 that transmits ultrasonic waves in the horizontal direction. The space between the reflector 48 and the ultrasonic probe 46 is open both vertically and vertically. For this reason, when the sensor 22 sinks and rises vertically in the crude oil tank 14 in which the crude oil 12 is stored, the space between the reflector 48 and the ultrasonic probe 46 is not up and down in the vertical direction. Crude oil 12 comes in and out.

  The horizontal balance weight 52 has a conical shape having the apex at the lower side where the sensor 22 sinks. By adopting such a shape, the resistance received by the sensor 22 when sinking in the crude oil 12 can be suppressed, and the posture of the sensor 22 can be stably maintained, and the sensor 22 can be easily placed in the accumulated sludge layer 20. Can be penetrated.

  Further, a plurality of detachable plate-like weights 54 are attached between the housing main body 44 and the horizontal balance weight 52, for example. With this weight 54, the weight of the sensor 22 can be adjusted according to the viscosity of the crude oil 12, the hardness of the sludge layer 20, and the like.

  The ultrasonic flaw detector 42 to which the sensor 22 configured as described above is connected via the high-frequency cable 26 applies a pulse voltage to the ultrasonic probe 46 via the high-frequency cable 26 to transmit an ultrasonic transmission signal. Enter. Further, the ultrasonic flaw detector 42 receives a reception signal generated when the ultrasonic probe 46 receives the reflected ultrasonic wave reflected by the reflecting plate 48. Thereby, the ultrasonic flaw detector 42 measures the reflected ultrasonic wave received by the ultrasonic probe 46 and monitors its peak value.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a basic display in the ultrasonic flaw detection test. FIG. 5A shows an ultrasonic signal when the sensor 22 is sinking in the crude oil 12, and FIG. 5B shows an ultrasonic signal when the sensor 22 reaches the sludge layer 20. In each of FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, the waveform shown on the left side in the drawing shows the ultrasonic wave transmitted by the ultrasonic probe 46, and the waveform shown on the right side in the drawing is sent by the reflector 48. The reflected ultrasonic wave reflected and received by the ultrasonic probe 46 is shown.

  When the sensor 22 reaches the sludge layer 20, as shown in FIG. 5B, the ultrasonic probe 46 is compared with the case where the sensor 22 shown in FIG. The reflected ultrasonic wave received by is attenuated. Therefore, it can be confirmed that the sensor 22 has reached the sludge layer 20 by the peak value of the reflected ultrasonic wave. When measuring, the threshold value for determining that the sensor 22 has reached the sludge layer 20 is set in advance for the peak value of the reflected ultrasonic wave monitored by the ultrasonic flaw detector 42, and the peak value below the set threshold value is detected. It is assumed that the sensor 22 reaches the sludge layer 20 when it is done.

  At this time, an alarm means may be provided for notifying the measuring person that the sensor 22 has reached the sludge layer 20 by sounding an alarm.

  A scale is marked on the high-frequency cable 26, and the sinking depth of the sensor 22, that is, the relative height of the sensor 22 in the crude oil tank 14 can be measured. With this scale, the settling depth of the sensor 22 when the reflected ultrasonic signal when reaching the sludge layer 20 is detected can be read, and the boundary position between the crude oil 12 and the sludge layer 20 can be measured. It should be noted that the thickness and deposition amount of the sludge layer 20 are determined from the depth of settling of the sensor 22 read from the scale when the sensor 22 reaches the sludge layer 20, the height from the bottom surface of the crude oil tank 14 of the floating roof 16 when measuring. Etc. can be obtained.

  The oil separator 32 in the attached crude oil removing unit 34 removes the crude oil attached to the high frequency cable 26 when the high frequency cable 26 is wound around the cable drum 28. Inside the oil separator 32, for example, a molded rubber packing (not shown) that sandwiches the high-frequency cable 26 from the gauge hatch 18 side toward the cable drum 28 side, and a felt packing (not shown) that sandwiches the high-frequency cable 26. Are provided sequentially. When the high-frequency cable 26 is wound around the cable drum 28, the high-frequency cable 26 passes between the molded rubber packing and the felt packing, whereby crude oil adhering to the high-frequency cable 26 is removed. The removed crude oil is dripped into the crude oil tank 14.

  As described above, the sludge measuring apparatus according to the present embodiment includes the ultrasonic probe 46 that transmits ultrasonic waves in the horizontal direction and receives the reflected ultrasonic waves reflected by the reflectors 48 arranged to face each other. The main feature is that the sensor 22 is provided, and the space between the ultrasonic transmission surface of the ultrasonic probe 46 and the reflection plate 48 is open vertically in the vertical direction.

  In the sludge measuring apparatus according to the present embodiment, the change in the peak value of the ultrasonic wave until the ultrasonic wave transmitted by the ultrasonic probe 46 is reflected by the reflecting plate 48 and received by the ultrasonic probe 46. Based on this, the boundary between the crude oil 12 and the sludge layer 20 is detected. Therefore, unlike the case of a conventional weight-weighted sludge measuring instrument, unlike the case where the scale person senses the change in buoyancy applied to the weight weight by the touch of the hand and detects the boundary between the crude oil and the sludge layer, this embodiment According to the sludge measuring device according to the above, there is no variation in the measuring result by the measuring person, and high skill is not required for the measuring.

  Further, in the sludge measuring apparatus according to the present embodiment, the ultrasonic probe 46 transmits ultrasonic waves in the horizontal direction, and is reflected by the reflection plate 48 disposed to face the ultrasonic transmission surface of the ultrasonic probe 46. The reflected ultrasound is reflected. In this way, since the ultrasonic wave propagates in the horizontal direction along the boundary direction between the crude oil 12 and the sludge layer 20, the attenuation of the ultrasonic wave is highly responsive to the arrival of the sensor 22 at the boundary of the sludge layer 20. Detected. For this reason, the boundary between the crude oil 12 and the sludge layer 20 can be detected with high accuracy.

  Furthermore, in the horizontal direction in which the ultrasonic wave propagates, in addition to the housing main body 44 provided with the ultrasonic probe 46, the horizontal balance weight 50, and the reflector 48, the ultrasonic wave propagates through the high frequency cable 26 and the like. There are no components that can affect it. Therefore, ultrasonic detection can be performed with high accuracy, and therefore, the boundary between the crude oil 12 and the sludge layer 20 can be detected with high accuracy.

  In the sludge measuring device according to the present embodiment, the vertical direction is open in the space between the ultrasonic transmission surface of the ultrasonic probe 46 and the reflection plate 48. Accordingly, since the crude oil 12 enters and exits the space between the ultrasonic probe 46 and the reflector 48 through which the ultrasonic wave propagates from above and below in the vertical direction, the ultrasonic transmission surface and the reflector of the ultrasonic probe 46. The sludge adhering to the surface of 48 can be easily removed when the high-frequency cable 26 is wound up to raise the sensor 22. Thereby, the measurement can be repeatedly performed with high accuracy without being affected by the adhesion of sludge to the sensor 22.

  In addition, the measuring method of the radioactive sludge interface disclosed by patent document 1 utilizes an ultrasonic wave. However, the measurement method of the radioactive sludge interface disclosed in Patent Document 1 is greatly different from the sludge measuring device according to the present embodiment in the following points.

  First, in the measurement method of the radioactive sludge interface disclosed in FIG. 2 of Patent Document 1, a sensor having an ultrasonic transmitter and an ultrasonic receiver arranged to face each other in the vertical direction descends in the storage tank. Therefore, the ultrasonic wave propagates in the vertical direction. For this reason, the ultrasonic wave straddles the boundary between the waste liquid and the sludge after the ultrasonic receiver arranged below the ultrasonic transmitter reaches the sludge and before the ultrasonic transmitter reaches the sludge. Will be propagated. As a result, even if the ultrasonic receiver reaches the sludge, the ultrasonic attenuation varies until the ultrasonic transmitter reaches the sludge. For this reason, a detection error may occur depending on when the sludge is detected at the time of ultrasonic attenuation. It is also considered that detection errors may easily occur due to external factors such as sludge properties and the sludge interface angle with respect to the sensor. On the other hand, in the sludge measuring apparatus according to the present embodiment, since the ultrasonic wave propagates in the horizontal direction, when the sensor 22 reaches the boundary between the crude oil 12 and the sludge layer 20, the predetermined ultrasonic attenuation is instantaneously performed. Can be detected. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the influence of external factors such as the sludge properties and the angle of the boundary of the sludge layer 20 with respect to the sensor 22 and realize a highly accurate measuring scale.

  Further, in the method for measuring the radioactive sludge interface disclosed in FIG. 2 of Patent Document 1, transmission and reception of ultrasonic waves are performed using separate independent elements. In this respect, the measurement method of the radioactive sludge interface disclosed in FIG. 2 of Patent Document 1 is greatly different from the sludge measuring apparatus according to the present embodiment in which ultrasonic waves are transmitted and received by one ultrasonic probe 46. doing.

[2] Sludge Measuring Method Next, a sludge measuring method using the sludge measuring device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  Prior to measuring the sludge layer 20 in the crude oil tank 14, the gauge hatch 18 provided on the floating roof 16 is opened, and the sludge measuring device according to the present embodiment is installed on the side wall of the gauge hatch 18 by the fixing hook 38.

  Subsequently, the sensor 22 is submerged to a predetermined depth in the crude oil 12 stored in the crude oil tank 14 from the gauge hatch 18 and stopped. For example, the sensor 22 is stopped at the upper layer of the crude oil 12 in the crude oil tank 14. Here, ultrasonic waves are transmitted in the horizontal direction by the ultrasonic probe 46, and the reflected ultrasonic waves reflected by the reflecting plate 48 are measured. Based on the measured peak value of the reflected ultrasonic wave, a threshold value of the peak value of the reflected ultrasonic wave used for detecting the boundary between the crude oil 12 and the sludge layer 20 is determined. For example, the threshold value is set to 80 to 90% of the peak value of the reflected ultrasonic wave measured in the upper layer portion of the crude oil 12 in the crude oil tank 14. Thus, the reflected ultrasonic signal in the reference crude oil 12 is measured, and the sensitivity of the sensor 22 is adjusted.

  Subsequently, the high-frequency cable 26 is sent out from the cable drum 28, the sensor 22 is settled in the crude oil 12, and the sensor 22 is moved in the vertical direction in the crude oil tank 14.

  While the sensor 22 sinks in the crude oil tank 14, the ultrasonic probe 46 transmits pulsed ultrasonic waves in the horizontal direction at a predetermined cycle based on the transmission signal of the ultrasonic flaw detector 42. At the same time, the reflected ultrasonic wave reflected by the reflecting plate 48 and received by the ultrasonic probe 46 is measured by the ultrasonic flaw detector 42 and the peak value thereof is monitored. Then, the length of the high-frequency cable 26 is read from the scale when the peak value of the reflected ultrasonic wave below the threshold value attenuated in comparison with the peak value of the reflected ultrasonic wave measured in the crude oil 12 is detected. The boundary position between the crude oil 12 and the sludge layer 20 is measured.

  If necessary, the thickness of the sludge layer 20, the amount of the sludge layer 20 deposited, and the like can be obtained based on the obtained measurement result, the height from the bottom of the crude oil tank 14 to the floating roof 16, and the like.

  After measuring the boundary position between the crude oil 12 and the sludge layer 20, the high-frequency cable 26 is wound up by the gable drum 28, and the sensor 22 is raised to the gauge hatch 18 and pulled up from the crude oil tank 14. At this time, the crude oil adhering to the high frequency cable 26 is removed from the high frequency cable 26 by the oil separator 32. As a result, it is possible to avoid a reduction in work efficiency due to crude oil contamination.

  As described above, the sludge layer 20 is measured from the gauge hatch 18 provided with the sludge measuring device according to the present embodiment. If necessary, the same measurement is performed again from the same gauge hatch 18, and the sludge measuring device according to the present embodiment is installed in another gauge hatch provided on the floating roof 16 and the same measuring is performed. Also good.

  Here, in the sensor 22, the crude oil 12 enters and exits from the upper and lower sides in the vertical direction in the space between the ultrasonic probe 46 and the reflection plate 48 through which the ultrasonic wave propagates. When raising the sludge, sludge adhering to the sensor 22 can be easily removed. Therefore, even when measuring repeatedly, it is possible to realize a highly accurate measuring scale without being greatly affected by the adhesion of sludge to the sensor 22.

  Further, as described above, the sensitivity of the sensor 22 is adjusted by measuring the reflected ultrasonic waves in the crude oil 12 as a reference in advance. With this sensitivity adjustment, the boundary position between the crude oil 12 and the sludge layer 20 can be measured with high accuracy even when some sludge remains attached to the sensor 22.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the sensor 22 that sinks in the crude oil tank 14 in which the crude oil 12 is stored is transmitted in the horizontal direction by the ultrasonic probe 46 and reflected by the reflecting plate 48 that is disposed oppositely. Since the boundary position between the crude oil 12 and the sludge layer 20 is measured based on the peak value of the reflected ultrasonic wave received by the ultrasonic probe 46, there is no variation in the measurement result by the measuring person. In addition, it is possible to easily measure the boundary position between the crude oil 12 and the sludge layer 20 with high accuracy without requiring a high level of skill in measuring.

[Modified Embodiment]
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the boundary position between the crude oil 12 and the sludge layer 20 having different properties is measured has been described. However, the sludge measuring device according to the present invention has the crude oil 12, the sludge layer 20, and the like. It can be widely used not only for measuring the boundary position but also for measuring the boundary position between layers having different properties. For example, when a plurality of sludge layers having different properties such as hardness are accumulated at the bottom of the crude oil tank, the sensor 22 is connected to the sludge layer after measuring the boundary position between the crude oil and the sludge layer as described above. The boundary position between sludge layers having different properties can be measured based on the same principle as when the boundary position between the crude oil and the sludge layer is measured. Even when a water layer is formed in the crude oil tank, the boundary position between the crude oil and the water layer or the boundary position between the water layer and the sludge layer can be measured. Furthermore, the sludge measuring device according to the present invention is widely used not only for measuring a crude oil tank but also for measuring the boundary position between layers having different properties in a storage tank or the like in which a fluid that can be settled by the sensor 22 is stored. it can.

  Moreover, although the said embodiment demonstrated the case where the relative height in the crude oil tank 14 of the sensor 22 was measured with the scale marked on the high frequency cable 26, the relative height of the sensor 22 is other than this. It can be measured by various methods.

It is the schematic which shows the mode of the measurement of the sludge by the sludge measuring apparatus by one Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic which shows the whole structure of the sludge measuring apparatus by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the sensor in the sludge measuring apparatus by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which shows the sensor in the sludge measuring apparatus by one Embodiment of this invention. 1 shows a display unit of an ultrasonic flaw detector that displays an ultrasonic signal transmitted by an ultrasonic probe and a reflected ultrasonic signal received by an ultrasonic probe in a sludge measuring apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. It is the schematic which shows the conventional weight spindle type sludge measuring instrument used in order to measure the boundary position of the crude oil stored in the crude oil tank, and a sludge layer.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Sludge measuring device 11 ... Scale person 12 ... Crude oil 14 ... Crude oil tank 16 ... Floating roof 18 ... Gauge hatch 18a ... Upper lid 20 ... Sludge layer 22 ... Sensor 24 ... Sludge detection part 26 ... High frequency cable 28 ... Cable drum 28a ... handle 30 ... cable winding part 32 ... oil separator 34 ... adhered crude oil removal part 36 ... support frame 38 ... fixed hook 40 ... aligner 42 ... ultrasonic flaw detector 44 ... housing body 44a ... horizontal plate 46 ... ultrasonic probe Child 48 ... Reflector 50, 52 ... Horizontal balance weight 54 ... Weight 100 ... Crude oil 102 ... Crude oil tank 104 ... Sludge layer 106 ... Measurer 108 ... Floating roof 110 ... Gauge hatch 112 ... Tape measure 114 ... Weight

Claims (6)

Sensor means for transmitting ultrasonic waves in the horizontal direction in the crude oil tank and receiving reflected ultrasonic waves;
Elevating means for moving the sensor means vertically in the crude oil tank;
Reflected ultrasonic waves received by the sensor means, and based on the peak value, reflected ultrasonic measurement means for detecting the boundary between the crude oil in the crude oil tank and the sludge layer deposited on the bottom of the crude oil tank;
And a height measuring means for measuring a relative height of the sensor means in the crude oil tank. In the sludge measuring apparatus according to claim 1,
The reflected ultrasonic measurement means measures reflected ultrasonic waves at an upper layer portion of the crude oil in the crude oil tank, measures reflected ultrasonic waves while the sensor means is moved by the elevating means, and determines the crude oil in the crude oil tank. A boundary between the crude oil in the crude oil tank and the sludge layer deposited at the bottom of the crude oil tank by detecting a peak value below a threshold value determined based on the peak value of the reflected ultrasonic wave measured at the upper layer of A sludge measuring device characterized by detecting slag. In the sludge measuring device according to claim 1 or 2,
The sensor means is a reflection plate, an ultrasonic probe that is disposed opposite to the reflection plate, transmits ultrasonic waves toward the reflection plate, and receives reflected ultrasonic waves reflected by the reflection plate; A sludge measuring device characterized by comprising: In the crude oil tank, the ultrasonic wave is transmitted in the horizontal direction while changing the position in the vertical direction, and the reflected reflected ultrasonic wave is received.
Measure the reflected ultrasound based on the reception result of the reflected ultrasound, detect the boundary between the crude oil in the crude oil tank and the sludge layer deposited on the bottom of the crude oil tank based on the peak value,
A sludge measuring method, comprising: measuring a position where a boundary between crude oil in the crude oil tank and a sludge layer deposited on a bottom portion in the crude oil tank is detected. The sludge measuring method according to claim 4, wherein
Measure reflected ultrasound at the upper part of crude oil in the crude oil tank,
The crude oil in the crude oil tank is deposited on the crude oil in the crude oil tank and the bottom of the crude oil tank by detecting a peak value below a threshold value determined based on the peak value of the reflected ultrasonic wave measured at the upper layer of the crude oil in the crude oil tank. A sludge measuring method characterized by detecting a boundary with a sludge layer. In the sludge measuring method according to claim 4 or 5,
The ultrasonic probe transmits an ultrasonic wave in a horizontal direction, and receives the reflected ultrasonic wave arranged opposite to the ultrasonic probe and reflected by a reflecting plate by the ultrasonic probe. Sludge measuring method to do.

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