Unsurprisingly, the other core business area for Tank Calibrators is tank calibration, and the company is currently active in both the Australian and international markets for these fields.

Current works

In Australia, Tank Calibrators is currently involved with the testing of a pipeline for the Gungahlin PRS Project, in Canberra for Sturzaker.

Internationally, Tank Calibrators has picked up a contract for the calibration of two tanks for Unocal in Bangladesh. The tanks are located at Unocal’s Moulavi Bazaar Plant, 4 - 5 hours north of Dhaka.

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Unocal built the plant as part of the development of the Moulavi Bazaar field, which was discovered in 1999 and is expected to produce 70 to 100 MMcf/d when operation begins this year. Tank Calibrators’ contract at the plant has the potential to expand further into pipeline testing in the future.

Calibration

Calibration is conducted on bulk storage tanks, vertical cylindrical tanks, horizontal cylindrical tanks and LPG vessels among others.

Bulk storage tanks are calibrated by the strapping method, optical reference line method or the internal electro-optical distance ranging methods using a total station. Vertical cylindrical tanks are calibrated in a similar manner.

Horizontal cylindrical tanks and LPG vessels are either strapped or calibrated by liquid transfer using our certified master flow meter. Calibration tables can show litres, cubic metres or tonnes versus 5 mm of slip tube measurements. A table showing percentages of total capacity in 0.1 per cent increments can also be provided. If required the calibration table quantities can include the liquid equivalent of the LPG vapour.

Hydrostatic testing

When conducting pressure tests, a test program is prepared initially which meets both NATA and client specifications. The test program outlines the actual test procedure and includes a list of certified equipment to be used during the test.

A NATA endorsed report is compiled for clients upon completion of the test, which contains all necessary documentation required to meet the client’s requests and the Australian Standard.