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Cargo Calculations Ullage Surveys
Cargo Calculations Ullage Surveys
GENERAL
Ullage surveys are the methods used to determine the quantity of liquid cargo loaded or discharged .
The survey are generally split into two sections : 1- the ship , 2-the terminal . The shore figure tends to
take precedence over the ship’s figure and is generally used for the Bill of Lading but a comparison is
made with the ship’s figures and discrepancies accounted for . A difference of less than 0,2% is
usually considered as reasonable and acceptable .
DEFINITIONS :
-TOTAL OBSERVED VOLUME (TOV) = The total measured volume of all cargo liquids ,
including B.S.&W. and free water if applicable , at observed temperature and pressure.
-TOTAL CALCULATED VOLUME (TCV) = The total measured volume of all cargo liquids
including B.S.&W., if applicable , corrected by the appropriate volume correction factor (VCF) for the
observed temperature and density , API Gravity or Specific Gravity , to a standard temperature
(usually 150C or 600F) and also if necessary corrected by the appropriate pressure correction factor
(Cpl) , to a standard pressure (usually 1.01325 bar) and meter factor, plus all free water.
-GROSS OBSERVED VOLUME (GOV) = The total measured volume of all cargo liquids and
B.S.&W., if applicable , but excluding free water , at observed temperatures and pressure.
-GROSS STANDARD VOLUME (GSV) = The total measured volume of all cargo liquids and
B.S.&W., if applicable , but excluding free water , corrected by the appropriate volume correction
factor (VCF) for the observed temperature and density (API Gravity or Specific Gravity) to a standard
temperature (usually 150C or 600F) and if necessary also corrected by the appropriate pressure
correction factor (Cpl) to a standard pressure (usually 1.01325 bar) , and meter factor .
-NET STANDARD VOLUME (NSV) = The total measured volume of all cargo liquids excluding
B.S.&W., if applicable , and free water , corrected by the appropriate VCF , for the observed
temperature and density (API Gravity or Specific Gravity) to a standard temperature (usually 15 0C or
600F) and if necessary corrected by the appropriate pressure correction factor (Cpl) to a standard
pressure (usually 1.01325 bar) and meter factor.
-INDICATED VOLUME (IV) = The change in meter readings that occurs during a receipt of a
delivery.
-BASE SEDIMENTS AND WATER (B.S.&W.) = Non hydrocarbon solid material and water in
suspension in crude oil or petroleum liquids.
-FREE WATER (FW) = The calculated volume of water at observed temperature and pressure ,
present in the ships tanks , which is not in suspension in the cargo liquid .
-VESSEL’S EXPERIENCE FACTOR (VEF) = The ship’s total calculated volume loaded (less
OBQ) or discharged (less ROB) divided by the total calculated volume pumped or received from/in
the shore tanks .
-ON BOARD QUANTITY (OBQ) / REMAINING ON BOARD (ROB) = The liquid and non-
liquid material found in the ship’s tanks before loading (OBQ) or after discharging (ROB). The said
material consists of (usually) cargo remaining , water , oil , slops , oil-water emulsion , sludge and
sediments .
-LETTER OF PROTEST (LOP) = A letter issued by any participant or nominated agent to a
commercial transaction , related to a discrepancy , condition or action to which issue is taken . The
letter serves as a written record that the particular discrepancy , condition , action or finding was
mentioned at the time of occurrence .
-LOADING ON TOP (LOT) = The loading of additional cargo in a tank where oil and/or slops are
already present .
Although ten “qualifying “ voyages is the optimum number for calculating the VEF , it can be
calculated after a minimum of five voyages .
QUALIFYING VOYAGES
There are a number of ways to determine “qualifying “voyages . These are :
1. Those voyages where the vessel’s load/discharge ratio to the ship’s TCV less OBQ/ROB ,
divided by the total calculated shore volume for an individual voyage , is statistically
significant at the 95% probability level. (The calculation is long and laborious but is the most
statistically correct.
2. Discard those ratios which are not within 0.3% of the mean value of all voyages used in the
calculations.
3. Discard the two highest and the two lowest ratios used in the calculations . This gives an
answer within acceptable limits .
The following are not qualifying voyages :
1. Voyages prior to any structural modifications which affect the vessel’s cargo capacity
2. Voyages where shore measurements are not available
3. The voyage immediately after a vessel has dry-docked
As the ratio for cotangent are nearly equal for small angles , the formula for the corrected innage can
be re-written without much loss of accuracy as :
Corrected innage =measured innage x LBP x Z - measured innage x trim x trim
Trim LBP LBP
Where LBP = the distance between perpendiculars
Z is the distance of the ullage point from the after bulkhead of the tank
The wedge formula should be applied only if the corrected innage is less then X (which is the
minimum innage necessary for liquid to cover tank bottom ,at the vessel’s current trim)
L is the length of the tank . X= Ltanθ which can be written as Lxtrim/LBP
TANK MEASUREMENTS
Before and after the loading /discharging, the ship’s tanks must be measured. The ullages/innages
taken should be compared with the automatic gauges of the tanks and if there is a significant
difference, this should be recorded and further investigated if necessary .
Before recording the ullages/innages , there should be obtained three measurements that agree within
0.003 meters each other . This margin may be increased to 0.005 meters if ullaging is done in winds
over force 4.
Ideally a minimum of one or two hours should be allowed before dipping a tank which has been in
use, to allow the liquid time to settle and reach equilibrium conditions and any accumulation of static
electricity to leak to earth. It is generally preferable to use a sonic tape to record ullages, as a more
accurate result can obtained than measuring the ullages with a standard tape. If in addition the
instrument has the capacity to measure temperature and oil/water interface, the time saved can be
considerable. The main disadvantage is that they are usually bulky and sometimes difficult to carry
up .
Should the tank be empty or nearly empty and there is little or no sludge built up , the best result is
obtained by innaging the remaining quantity with a solid rod , as this gives a more accurate result
rather than a tape which may bow .
Where oil or water finding paste has been used , any cut obtained should be sharp , well defined and at
right angles to the tape/rod edge . If it is not , the result must be discarded and the dip repeated .
Ideally - in order to minimise the effect of bottom movement in a tank , when measurement are made
the depth of liquid should not be less than 1.5 meters ; to reduce the effect of any measurement
e44rors , the change in liquid level in any one tank should not be less than 3 meters .
When taking an oil dip with a solid rod or bob in a heavy viscous liquid , the tape should be allowed
to remain in the product for about ten seconds so as to allow the indentation , made by the tape in the
surface of the liquid when entering the product , to level out .
With light products , the tape must be removed as soon as possible after the wanted depth is reached ,
as there is a tendency for the surface liquid to creep up the rod .
WATER DIPS
Water dips should be done as a matter of course . For bottom water , a thin layer of water-finding
paste is applied to the rod or bob , which is then lowered into the tank until it just touches the bottom .
The rod/bob is left in this position for about 20 seconds and then withdrawn . The water cut should
show up as straight or nearly straight line between the two colours , but when taking dips on viscous
or black products , it may be necessary to wash the rod with kerosene in order to see water paste and it
is possible only spots of colour change will be found.
MEASURING TEMPERATURES
The number of temperature readings required depends largely on the depth of the liquid in the tank
and whether or not the surveyor expects any layering .
NOTE : In addition to the vertical temperature gradient , a horizontally gradient may also exist . It is
usually difficult to measure this latter gradient due to the lack of suitable access points but it can be
significant .
The temperature should be measured at levels corresponding to 5/6, ½ and 1/6 of the total depth of the
liquid . As a rough guide , if the temperature of the middle level is within 0.5 0C of the average of the
three levels , this average may be taken as the temperature of the tank contents.
If the difference is greater then 0.50C , additional temperature must be measured at 9/10, 7/10, 3/10
and 1/10 of the liquid depth . If the average of these four temperatures is within 0.5 0C of the middle
temperature previously obtained , this average may be taken as the temperature of the tank content .
NOTE : If the surveyor is of the opinion that layering has occurred , the temperature must be
measured every metre above through the depth and the results averaged .
THERMOMETERS
Using an electronic digital thermometer is the easiest way to obtain temperatures and a lot of
time is saved if this is coupled with a sounding tape . If normal thermometers are used , there some
recommended lengths of time for the thermometer immersion in the liquid , depending on the product
in which the temperature is being measured . Thus for :
- Light crude and white oils – immersion time of 5 min
- Medium crude fuel and lubricating oils – immersion time of 15 min
- Heavy crude and heavy oil - immersion time of 30 min
NOTE : Digital thermometers should be regularly checked against a master thermometer to ensure
that the readings obtained are within +0.50C . If the difference found is greater than this , the
instrument should be adjusted . The results of the test and any adjustment made must be recorded .
Mercury thermometers should be checked against a master thermometer before being used for the first
time and the result recorded . If the difference is greater than 0.5 0C , the thermometer should be
discarded .
A Master Thermometer is one which meets ASTM/IP standards and is by a recognized outside
authority . It is used solely for testing purposes .
CALCULATIONS
BS&W
Basic sediments and water – To be deducted from the GSV resulting NSV . This , when multiplied
by density at 15C gives the weight in vacuo.
WEIGHT IN AIR
This is the final figure required for the Bill of Lading and it is obtained by multiplying the Gross
Standard or Net Standard volume by the weight correction factor. The weight correction factor , if the
calculation has been in cubmeters , is obtained from Table 7 (basically the density at 15C minus
0.0011 for the range of densities and temperature usual involved . The answer obtained is in metric
tons.
If the calculation has been made in barrels , Tables 11 or 13 must be used to obtain the multiplier ,
depending on whether the answer is required in long or metric tonnes.
TIME SHEET
It is necessary to be kept a full record of all the events such as : Pilot on board , first line ashore ,
custom clearance , free pratique granted , surveyor on board , commencement of the tank inspection ,
completion of the tank inspection , hose connected , commencement of the loading or of the
discharging , all times used for other operation than the loading/discharging (even if the operation is
ceased at terminal’s request or if it is ceased by the ship) , completion of the operation , final tank
inspection , hose disconnected , documents on board . NOTE to the above times may be added other
significant times as well . It is highly recommended to keep a detailed time log (eventually on a scrap
book) , detailing times of all events such as tank changes , starting various pumps (cargo and/or
ballast) starting the IG plant , opening various valves etc .
If a product is added to another already in tank , the composite density can be calculated from the
formula :
dc = [d1 + Vi(di-d1)]/ Vf
where dc = composite density ; d1 is the density of the incoming product ; di is the density of the
product in the tank initially ; Vi is the initial volume of the product in the tank ; Vf is the final volume
of the product in the tank .
NOTE : the densities must all be at the same temperature ; the formula may also be used to obtain the
composite temperature .
METERS (FOR SURVEYORS ONLY !)
When meters are used to determine the quantity of cargo loaded, it is essential not only to monitor the
performance of the meter and proving system , but also to check that the associated instrumentation
functions correctly . The proving of each meter used during loading must be witnessed and the
surveyor should ensure that this process is carried out as soon as the average throughput and stable
conditions are reached. The readings obtained should be within:
1. 0.05% for consecutive pulse counts , in a sequence of five proving runs
2. 0.20C temperature difference between each proving run for the meter and prover
3. 0.2% difference between the calculated meter factor and the previous meter factor, at the
equivalent operating conditions.
NOTES :
1.Changes in meter factor can occur with significant differences in flow rate , temperature and
viscosity
2.The prover base volume must be calculated every two years for the computation to be valid .
METER FACTOR
The meter factor (F) is obtained from the formula :
F = Vb x Cts x Cps x Citl x Cipl (expressed to 5 significant figures)
Vm x Ciitl x Ciipl
Where :
Vb = the prover base volume at standard temperature and pressure
Vm= the meter volume and is obtained by dividing the average pulses per cubic meter for barrel by the
K factor
Cts = the correction for the temperature on steel of pipe prover
Cps = the correction for the pressure on steel of pipe prover
Citl = the correction for temperature on liquid of pipe prover
Ciitl = the correction for temperature on liquid at meter
Cipl = the correction for pressure on liquid of pipe prover
Ciipl = the correction for pressure on liquid at meter
The Gross Standard Volume put through a meter is obtained from the formula :
GSV = indicated volume x F x Ciitl x Ciipl
The K factor
The object of proving a turbine meter is to establish the relationship between a train of electric pulses
collecting in an electronic counter and the volume passed by the meter , which must be obtained
simultaneously . This ratio is known as the K factor and is expressed as :
K= n/Vb where n= the number of pulses ; Vb=the prover base volume
K is then divided into the number of pulses emitted by the meter to determine the volume delivered .
Alternatively the number of pulses can be multiplied by the reciprocal of K to obtain the volume .
This reciprocal is known as the “one pulse volume” and is expressed as :
g = 1/K = Vb/n
It is common practice in many terminals for a constant K factor to be set into the meter and the
reading obtained corrected to obtain the true volume delivered. The volume correction factor in this
case is given by the formula :L
VCF = K factor (set in) /K factor (obtained during proving)
FORMULAE
Pressure 1 bar = 0.0689476 lb/in2
Correction for pressure on steel (Cps) = 1 + pressure on prover inbar x internal diameter of prover/
(Elastic modules x wall thickness of prover)