A method and device are disclosed for fuel-detection by a fuel sending unit by placing a fuel sending unit in a first position from a second position, and releasing the fuel sending unit from the first position such that a buoyancy characteristic of a fuel sending unit float prompts the fuel sending unit to the second position. A rate-of-travel of the fuel sending unit is sensed from the first position to the second position to produce fluid travel data, wherein the rate-of-travel being affected by a fuel density. Fluid-type identification data may be generated based on the fluid travel data.

A method of measuring liquid level in a tank. An electromechanical liquid level gauge (ESG) is provided including a processor, a displacer suspended on a wire from a grooved drum having a servo motor coupled thereto to rotate the drum for balancing the displacer. A change in liquid level causes a change in a counterforce to move the ESG out of balance. The processor monitors a torque sensor output, and controls movement of the motor using a programmed apparent weight (AW) setpoint to raise or lower the displacer based on an AW derived from the torque. An associated memory stores a density compensated fixed immersion depth level gauging algorithm. The algorithm implements obtaining a density reading for the liquid, continuously corrects an immersion depth of the displacer for changes in density to provide an essentially fixed immersion depth, and calculates the liquid level from the density reading and immersion depth.

A method of measuring liquid level in a tank. An electromechanical liquid level gauge (ESG) is provided including a processor, a displacer suspended on a wire from a grooved drum having a servo motor coupled thereto to rotate the drum for balancing the displacer. A change in liquid level causes a change in a counterforce to move the ESG out of balance. The processor monitors a torque sensor output, and controls movement of the motor using a programmed apparent weight (AW) setpoint to raise or lower the displacer based on an AW derived from the torque. An associated memory stores a density compensated fixed immersion depth level gauging algorithm. The algorithm implements obtaining a density reading for the liquid, continuously corrects an immersion depth of the displacer for changes in density to provide an essentially fixed immersion depth, and calculates the liquid level from the density reading and immersion depth.

A fluid monitoring apparatus for detecting which of a first fluid, a second fluid and a third fluid is present, the second fluid having a density less than the first fluid and the third fluid having a density less than the second fluid. The apparatus includes: a first float having a density less than that of the first fluid but greater than that of the second fluid; a second float having a density less than that of the second fluid but greater than that of the third fluid; and a sensor. The sensor is configured to detect the first float and the second float so that the position of the floats can be determined.

An apparatus and method are disclosed for accurately determining viscosity of Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids in the field or in-service by using a potable field viscometer. The portable field viscometer includes a vertical disposable (or reusable) sample insert tube filled with the liquid which the viscosity is to be determined. Using fins on the needle surface, a needle having a known density is made to fall through the liquid in the disposable (or reusable) sample insert tube coaxially. Using the time that the needle takes to fall between two known distance marks on the extension bar attached the top of the needle or transducers such as light, laser or magnetic, the velocity of the needle falling through the liquid is determined. Thus, the viscosity can be calculated by using the velocity of a needle. In the method, viscosity, shear rate and shear stress can be determined according to the disclosed method.

An apparatus and method are disclosed for accurately determining viscosity of Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids in the field or in-service by using a potable field viscometer. The portable field viscometer includes a vertical disposable (or reusable) sample insert tube filled with the liquid which the viscosity is to be determined. Using fins on the needle surface, a needle having a known density is made to fall through the liquid in the disposable (or reusable) sample insert tube coaxially. Using the time that the needle takes to fall between two known distance marks on the extension bar attached the top of the needle or transducers such as light, laser or magnetic, the velocity of the needle falling through the liquid is determined. Thus, the viscosity can be calculated by using the velocity of a needle. In the method, viscosity, shear rate and shear stress can be determined according to the disclosed method.

The use of polymeric materials as glass substitutes to make products suitable for use in the analysis of liquid samples and the corresponding products are disclosed herein. Polymer-based products suitable for use to analyze liquid samples may be particularly useful in petroleum industry applications. Specifically, a sample-testing apparatus, such as a centrifuge tube or hydrometer, for use with a sample containing materials such as crude oil, petroleum products, petrochemicals, fractions thereof, and impurities therein is disclosed herein. A sample-testing apparatus comprising one or more polymers in the polysulfone family, preferably polysulfone (PSU) and polyphenylsulfone (PPSU), and most preferably polyphenylsulfone may render the apparatus substantially transparent; substantially chemically inert to degradation by crude oil and petroleum products; substantially thermally stable; substantially rigid when subjected to conditions such as elevated temperatures, externally-applied forces, or the combination thereof; and substantially shatter-resistant and will provide superior performance compared to products currently used in industry.

The use of polymeric materials as glass substitutes to make products suitable for use in the analysis of liquid samples and the corresponding products are disclosed herein. Polymer-based products suitable for use to analyze liquid samples may be particularly useful in petroleum industry applications. Specifically, a sample-testing apparatus, such as a centrifuge tube or hydrometer, for use with a sample containing materials such as crude oil, petroleum products, petrochemicals, fractions thereof, and impurities therein is disclosed herein. A sample-testing apparatus comprising one or more polymers in the polysulfone family, preferably polysulfone (PSU) and polyphenylsulfone (PPSU), and most preferably polyphenylsulfone may render the apparatus substantially transparent; substantially chemically inert to degradation by crude oil and petroleum products; substantially thermally stable; substantially rigid when subjected to conditions such as elevated temperatures, externally-applied forces, or the combination thereof; and substantially shatter-resistant and will provide superior performance compared to products currently used in industry.

A hydrometer device according to an example includes a floating waterproof device container, and a liquid level sensor positioned in the device container to sense an immersion level of the device container when the device container is floating in a container of liquid. The hydrometer device further includes a conversion circuit positioned in the device container to convert the sensed immersion level to a digital value, and a controller positioned in the device container to determine a liquid density value for the liquid based on the digital value.

A hydrometer device according to an example includes a floating waterproof device container, and a liquid level sensor positioned in the device container to sense an immersion level of the device container when the device container is floating in a container of liquid. The hydrometer device further includes a conversion circuit positioned in the device container to convert the sensed immersion level to a digital value, and a controller positioned in the device container to determine a liquid density value for the liquid based on the digital value.