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All floating vessels, ships, barges, tankers, FPSOs, jack-ups and semi-subs need a ballast water system. In order to challenge the often aggressive sea water, Endress+Hauser developed the first metal free hydrostatic level measuring sensor, Waterpilot. For a contact free level measurement in dip pipes or sounding tubes, Endress+Hauser provides a radar together with a patented adapter to allow for manual gauging as well as automatic measurement through the same tube. A special design enables the radar to also measure in fuel tanks down to a level of only two inches.

Endress+Hauser's PC program Shipview visualizes the entire tank, pipe, valve and pump arrangement and allows for full control and operation of valves and pumps. Communication is done by intelligent, digital linking with a bus system from the individual level instrument to the PC control system. Tank operation can be carried out from any position onboard the ship. Additionally, all commissioning work can be performed there as well.

A settling tank of an FPSO is a perfect example to show the overall advantage of a full range instrumentation supplier. No less than three different measuring principles are involved. The Levelflex guided radar measures the overall tank level, and the Liquicap capacitive sensor stretching over the entire tank height checks the oil/water interface and mixture. Three Gammapilot radiometric density detectors check the fluid densities for oil export, recirculation and water bottom. This way, the operator only pumps emulsion free and water free oil through the export line. Also, the water bottom drainage is always free from oil for proper display.

Loading of highly viscous bitumen at temperatures exceeding 150 °C/302 °F requires a highly reliable level switch. In the application shown, mechanical level switches were used in the past which always got stuck due to bitumen built-up. Liquiphant meets this demand and is immune against heavy buildup.