Waste Oil Tank Level Monitoring for Overflow-Free Pump Transfer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The current waste oil transfer systems lack real-time monitoring of storage tank capacity, leading to incomplete transfers and potential oil spillage due to insufficient space in the storage tank, and require manual service calls for disposal when the tank is full, causing delays in accepting additional waste oil.
Innovation Solution
A waste oil transfer system that includes a system controller, tank level monitor, and pump controller to authorize and initiate transfers only when there is sufficient space in the storage tank, using communication links and user interfaces to ensure that waste oil is transferred efficiently and safely, and automatically generates disposal orders when the tank is full.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual monitoring of storage tank capacity is used, then the system is simple to operate, but incomplete transfers and oil spillage occur due to insufficient space detection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a tank level monitor that continuously measures the volume of waste oil in the storage tank and provides real-time feedback to the controller. This feedback mechanism enables the system to detect available capacity and prevent overfilling, ensuring complete transfers without spillage while maintaining automated operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual visual inspection and estimation with an automated electronic monitoring system using level sensors and controllers. This substitution of mechanical/manual methods with electronic automation improves reliability of transfer completion detection while managing system complexity through integrated control.
2Productivity
If manual service calls are placed when the tank is full, then the system requires minimal equipment, but delays occur in accepting additional waste oil
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an automated disposal scheduling system that proactively arranges for waste oil removal before the storage tank becomes full. The controller monitors tank levels and schedules disposal services in advance, ensuring continuous availability of storage capacity and preventing delays in accepting additional waste oil from generators.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs automated monitoring and disposal scheduling without requiring manual intervention. The controller autonomously tracks waste oil volume, determines when disposal is needed, and manages the scheduling process, thereby eliminating delays associated with manual service call placement and improving overall productivity.
3Measurement precision
If the storage tank is monitored continuously, then transfer accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic monitoring of tank levels at critical stages: before transfer initiation, during transfer progression, and after transfer completion. The controller activates the level monitor at these specific intervals rather than continuous operation, maintaining sufficient measurement precision for transfer authorization while reducing overall energy consumption of the monitoring system.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A waste oil transfer system (10) includes a system controller (12) configured to determine the authorization status of a waste oil transfer request. The system controller (12) requests a current fluid level in a storage tank (20) from a tank level monitor (16) mounted on the storage tank (20). The tank level monitor (16) is configured to generate current fluid level information and provide that information to the system controller (12). The system controller (12) determines the available space in the storage tank (20) and compares the available space to the transfer volume to determine if the storage tank (20) can receive the transfer volume. The system controller (12) then activates a pump (24) to initiate the transfer if the system controller (12) determines that the transfer is authorized or denies the transfer.