초록 ▼

A process for monitoring a fluid storage system using a vessel for storing the fluid and a detection apparatus using synchronized sensors for monitoring and measuring state properties of the fluid is disclosed. The method includes using a housing with at least one pressure sensor and at least one te

A process for monitoring a fluid storage system using a vessel for storing the fluid and a detection apparatus using synchronized sensors for monitoring and measuring state properties of the fluid is disclosed. The method includes using a housing with at least one pressure sensor and at least one temperature sensor for synchronously collecting data regarding the fluid. Each sensor communicates with a processor and a signaling means to provide synchronized data. The method includes continuously forming at least one calculated value, such as a value for mass of the fluid, from the data synchronously collected using a processor, and continuously comparing the calculated value to at least one predetermined range of values for the fluid in the vessel to identify if the at least one calculated value is within the predetermined range of values. Then, the method includes communicating the compared values from the processor to an auxiliary device.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A process for monitoring a fluid storage system, comprising the steps of: synchronously and simultaneously collecting data at selected predetermined time intervals at the same moment in time using a detection apparatus disposed in a fluid in a vessel, wherein the detection ap

What is claimed is: 1. A process for monitoring a fluid storage system, comprising the steps of: synchronously and simultaneously collecting data at selected predetermined time intervals at the same moment in time using a detection apparatus disposed in a fluid in a vessel, wherein the detection apparatus comprises at least one pressure sensor and at least one temperature sensor disposed in a housing, wherein each sensor is in communication with a signaling means and a processor; a. continuously forming at least one calculated value from the data synchronously collected using a processor, wherein the at least one calculated value is selected from a member of the group consisting of: a mass of the fluid, a fluid volume, an average temperature of the fluid, a multiple spot temperature of the fluid, a multiple density strata of the fluid, an average density of the fluid, a level of the fluid, a fluid flow rate, an impurity content of the fluid, a vapor pressure, a vapor temperature, an atmospheric pressure, an atmospheric temperature, an entrained water content of the fluid, a free water content of the fluid, and combinations thereof; b. continuously comparing the at least one calculated value to at least one predetermined range of values for the fluid in the vessel to identify if the at least one calculated value is within the at least one predetermined range of values for forming a compared value; and c. communicating the compared values from the processor to a data collector. 2. The process of claim 1, further comprising collecting the data synchronously from each sensor with the processor. 3. The process of claim 1 further comprising collecting the data simultaneously from each sensor with the processor. 4. The process of claim 1, wherein the fluid comprises a member selected from the group consisting of a gas, a liquid, a fluid with particulate matter, and combinations thereof. 5. The process of claim 1, wherein the vessel is a tank, a chamber, a container, a vat, a barrel, or a storage reservoir. 6. The process of claim 1, further comprising magnetically connecting the detection apparatus to the vessel using a magnetic field. 7. The process of claim 1, further comprising locking a locking integrity bag over the processor of the detection apparatus to prevent tampering with the processor. 8. The process of claim 1, further comprising the step of positioning a first portion of the detection apparatus above a roof of the vessel to monitor atmospheric pressures and temperatures and positioning a second portion of the detection apparatus within the vessel just below the roof for monitoring vapor pressures and vapor temperatures within the vessel. 9. The process of claim 1, further comprising the step of manually sampling a series of measured values from a gauge well of the vessel to perform comparisons of measured values sampled from the gauge well to calculated values detected using the detection apparatus. 10. The process of claim 9, further comprising the step of transmitting in real-time the measured values and the calculated values and results of the performed comparisons to an auxiliary device. 11. The process of claim 1, wherein the data comprises a member selected from the group consisting of: a digital data, an analog data, and combinations thereof. 12. The process of claim 1, further comprising the step of installing the detection apparatus by suspending it from an interior roof of the vessel. 13. The process of claim 1, further comprising installing multiple submersible sensors in the vessel and connecting the multiple submersible sensors to the processor. 14. The process of claim 13, further comprising installing the multiple submersible sensors using a flexible connector. 15. The process of claim 1, further comprising the step of using a spacer to keep the detection apparatus in a spaced apart relationship from a bottom most portion of the vessel. 16. The process of claim 15, wherein the spacer is cone shape, a multiple leg device, or a single leg device.