Optimised fuel stock inventory through tank farm measurement for Biodiesel
3 ways how KROHNE can support your Biodiesel operation
High accuracy and repeatability
Comprehensive coverage for large tank farms
Minimised maintenance and environmental impact
Enhancing fuel stock inventory with precise level measurement
Biodiesel is a crucial component in the global shift towards more sustainable energy sources. As industries transition away from traditional fossil fuels, the ability to accurately manage biodiesel inventories becomes essential to ensure operational efficiency and minimise waste. Managing large-scale biodiesel storage requires advanced, reliable measurement technologies that provide real-time data and high accuracy. KROHNE’s OPTIFLEX guided radar (TDR) level transmitters deliver optimised fuel stock monitoring for large tank farms, supporting fuel management. Each device plays a critical role in monitoring biodiesel levels and ensuring accurate inventory management, which not only enhances operational efficiency but also contributes to sustainable fuel use.
How does it work?
The OPTIFLEX 7200 uses the time domain reflectometry (TDR) principle, transmitting low-intensity electromagnetic pulses along a cable probe fitted inside each storage tank. When these pulses reach the surface of the stored biodiesel, they are reflected to the sensor. The intensity of the reflection depends on the dielectric constant (εr) of the biodiesel, and the time delay is measured to calculate the exact level of the fuel in the tank.
This precise measurement is then converted into a 4–20 mA current output or a digital signal, which is transmitted to the facility’s control room. From there, operators can track the biodiesel levels in each of the more than 100 tanks with high accuracy. Additionally, the system is capable of detecting water that may collect beneath the oil layer, a feature critical for maintaining fuel quality and preventing contamination.
Each transmitter is factory-calibrated to meet stringent accuracy and repeatability requirements, ensuring reliable performance from the moment of installation. This reduces the need for recalibration and lowers the overall maintenance burden, which further contributes to sustainability by minimising operational disruptions and waste.
By providing highly accurate and reliable fuel level measurements, KROHNE helps optimise biodiesel stock management and contribute to broader sustainability goals:
High accuracy and repeatability
The OPTIFLEX 7200 ensures that fuel stock levels are monitored with precision. This not only helps avoid overproduction or underutilisation of biodiesel but also reduces the risk of fuel loss due to measurement errors. Accurate inventory management is essential for efficient resource use, preventing waste, and enhancing the overall sustainability of biodiesel storage and distribution.
Comprehensive coverage for large tank farms
With over 100 tanks monitored by one system, facility operators benefit from a one-stop, fully integrated solution. This streamlined approach improves operational efficiency by simplifying the monitoring and management processes for all their tanks, reducing the need for manual interventions and limiting the potential for human error.
Minimised maintenance and environmental impact
Each device is carefully calibrated at the factory, ensuring reliable performance from the outset. The high level of accuracy and repeatability reduces the frequency of recalibration and maintenance, thereby minimising equipment downtime and the environmental footprint associated with service calls and manual adjustments. This supports a more sustainable operation by reducing energy use and lowering the environmental impact of maintenance activities.
Contribution to Sustainability:
Reduced environmental impact : The OPTIFLEX 7200 provides precise biodiesel level measurements, minimising overproduction and waste, and reducing the environmental impact of biodiesel storage.
Optimised resource use : By detecting water interfaces, the system prevents fuel contamination, supporting sustainable biodiesel management and reducing resource waste.
Enhanced biodiesel quality : Accurate detection of water layers maintains biodiesel quality, reducing reprocessing needs and preventing contamination-related hazards.
Further Benefits:
Reduced product loss : Precise level measurement prevents overflows and shortages, reducing fuel loss and waste.
Lower maintenance costs : Factory-calibrated transmitters reduce recalibration needs, lowering maintenance costs.
Improved inventory accuracy : Reliable stock measurement minimises manual checks, saving labour and improving inventory control.
Supporting biodiesel sustainability with KROHNE
KROHNE’s guided radar level transmitters are critical for biodiesel operations seeking efficiency and sustainability. The transmitters’ real-time measurements optimise inventory management and prevent fuel wastage. Its ability to detect water contamination ensures high biodiesel quality, enhancing fuel reliability. As biodiesel becomes vital in the shift to greener energy, technologies like the OPTIFLEX 7200 enable responsible and sustainable fuel management, supporting biodiesel producers in reducing waste and emissions while advancing a cleaner energy future.