Test & measurement


The huge cryogenic tanks in which LNG is stored present difficult challenges for level instruments.


RADAR RISES TO THE CHALLENGES OF LIQUEFIED GAS TANKS


In this Q & A, Johan Sandberg, business development manager for tank gauging at Emerson, explains why modern non- contacting radar gauges are ideally suited to LNG and LPG level measurement applications.


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Q. WHY IS LEVEL MEASUREMENT VITAL IN LIQUEFIED GAS TANKS?


In storage tanks containing either liquefied natural gas (LNG) or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), accurate and reliable level measurement underpins both operational and safety performance. Level data supports inventory control and custody transfer, where even small errors can translate into significant financial discrepancies because of the high value and large volume of stored product. Perhaps even more important is the need to prevent overfills. LNG and LPG are hazardous fuels, so a spill could have severe safety and environmental consequences. International standards such as IEC 61511 therefore require certified overfill prevention systems, with level instruments as essential components. Continuous level monitoring also supports early leak detection, as a falling level in a sealed tank may be the earliest indication of a loss of containment.


Q. WHAT CHALLENGES DO LNG AND LPG PRESENT FOR LEVEL INSTRUMENTS? Liquefied gas applications impose some of the harshest conditions encountered in process automation. LNG is stored in vast cryogenic tanks with a capacity of up to 200,000 cubic metres. This demands instruments that provide accurate measurements at a range of more than 40 metres (131 feet) while also tolerating


February 2026 Instrumentation Monthly


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