Indian Maritime University

BNA 023 CARGO HANDLING & STOWAGE

Block no. 1 Cargo handling and Care
Unit No. 1 Cargo pumps and Piping Systems

A basic introduction to Oil Tankers

1) Cargo loading

1.3.4 Oil Measuring Systems

1
 Cargo Loading

Oil Measuring Systems

2
 Float System

•THE FLOAT SYSTEM IS PROBABLY THE MOST COMMON OF

THE AUTOMATED TANK GAUGE SYSTEMS.

•IN THE EARLIER VERSIONS, THE FLOAT WAS SUSPENDED

FROM A SPECIAL HATCH BY MEANS OF AN ORDINARY ULLAGE
TAPE.

•THE TAPE WAS PASSED OVER A FLYWHEEL DIRECTLY UNDER

A CLEAR VIEW SCREEN COMPLETE WITH SCREEN WIPER.

•THE OTHER END OF THE TAPE WAS SECURED TO A WEIGHT

SUSPENDED IN A TUBE FILLED WITH CLEANING SOLVENT,
EXTENDING TO THE BOTTOM OF THE TANK.

3
 Float System

•THE FLOAT IS HEAVIER THAN THE WEIGHT IN AIR,

•BUT WHEN THE TANK IS BEING FILLED OR EMPTIED IT

FLOATS ON TOP OF THE LIQUID RISING OR FALLING AS THE
LIQUID LEVEL ALTERS.

•THE TAPE-RECORDS THE ULLAGE AUTOMATICALLY.

4
 Float System

•THE STEEL TAPES PROVIDED BY THE MANUFACTURERS

HAVE THE MEASUREMENT SCALE EITHER PAINTED ON THEM,
OR EMBOSSED ON THE ACTUAL METAL.

•THE LATTER TYPES ARE LESS LIKELY TO BE DEFACED BY

CONTACT WITH INERT GAS OR OTHER CORROSIVES.

5
 Float System

•EACH TANK IS FITTED WITH ONE OR MORE OPEN-ENDED

PIPES CONNECTED TO A READ-OUT GAUGE AND RESERVOIR
IN THE CONTROL ROOM.

•THE LENGTH OF THE GAUGE AND THE TYPE OF LIQUID WITH

WHICH IT IS FILLED, DEPENDS ON THE ACCURACY REQUIRED.

6
 Float System

•A SMALL GAUGE USING A HEAVY LIQUID LIKE MERCURY CAN

BE USED WHERE ACCURACY IS NOT REQUIRED

• WHERE ACCURACY IS REQUIRED SUCH AS WHEN TOPPING

UP TANKS, A LARGER GAUGE AND A LIGHTER LIQUID ARE
USED TOGETHER, WITH A SEPARATE PIPE TO COVER THE
UPPER SECTION OF THE TANK .

7
Float System

8
Float System