An advanced Automatic Tank Gauging (ATG) system improves fuel management in terms of efficiency, safety assurance, and legislation. It’s critical for businesses in construction and landscaping, fuel spill cleanup, gas stations, fuel distributors, and industrial storage facilities. That’s why it’s no surprise that the worldwide inventory tank gauging systems market amounted to $682.3 million in 2024.
What’s more, it’s predicted to grow between 2025 and 2033 at a CAGR of 2.8%. This highlights how more and more industries on a global scale are adopting automatic tank gauging systems. But what is it, its operation, and types? Why businesses should invest in it, and how to adopt the right one? This post explains it all.
What Is an Automatic Tank Gauging System?
So, what is an Automatic Tank Gauging system? It is an instrument utilized to check the storage tanks, primarily within the fuel and chemical sectors. It monitors the fuel levels and temperature as well as detects leaks in real time, improving safety and precision. ATGs use sensors to measure fuel levels without manual checks and monitor fuel temperature for accurate volume readings.
They also detect leaks by watching for unusual drops during non-use periods, and examine water at the bottom of tanks, which can cause damage. Moreover, ATGs compute the total amount of fuel and activate alarms on problems such as low levels or leakages, and store data for reporting and monitoring inventories.
Gas stations, oil refineries, industry centers, chemical plants, and sectors such as transport, mining, agriculture, and power generation are dependent on these systems. It could basically be anywhere accurate liquid storage monitoring is needed.
How Does The Automatic Tank Gauging (ATG) System Work?
In the ATG system, the principal element is the in-tank automatic tank gauge or probe that remains inside the storage tank and gathers information concerning the liquid. It measures fuel levels using floats, magnetostrictive signals, or radar, depending on the technology used. This probe also possesses sensors to monitor the temperature of the fuel and even detect water at the bottom of the tank.
Data that is gathered is passed on to a control console either by wire or wirelessly. It’s displayed in real time, showing liquid levels, temperature, volume, water presence, and any alarms. ATG systems often connect with fuel management systems for a complete overview of inventory. This integration helps track fuel use, generate reports, detect issues, and even allows for remote monitoring. At fuel stations, ATGs can also link with POS systems to match sales with fuel levels, improving accuracy and security.
One of the most important roles of ATGs is leak detection. They constantly check fuel levels and use data patterns to spot even small leaks. When anything goes awry, the system will fire alarms just so that operators respond promptly. In a two-walled tank, the space that exists between the walls is closely monitored by ATGs that detect a leak at an early stage. This is to avoid fuel spillages, which would damage the environment and pose costly clean-up services.
Why Businesses Should Invest in ATG Systems?
Investing in ATG systems offers major benefits for businesses that store fuel. One is that ATGs can be used to minimize fuel loss and theft as they give a precise, real-time measurement of tanks or early detection of leaks. This gets rid of any mistakes found on manual checks.
ATGs are also able to notice delivery problems and abnormal utilization patterns, which can be utilized in avoiding theft and increasing responsibility. In addition, ATG systems are capable of generating automatic reports on audits, automation of fuel level checks, and temperature monitoring to avoid wasting time and manpower. Businesses can obtain real-time data even when being remote, and order fuel more efficiently, without wasting it, or being out of stock.
This improves efficiency and inventory accuracy. In addition, ATGs also store past data for analysis and are key to managing risks with underground storage tanks (USTs). They support compliance with environmental regulations like the EPA by continuously monitoring tank conditions and detecting leaks. ATGs even at times inspect the corrosion of the tank. The early warning not only safeguards groundwater but also curbs the expenses for repairing the environmental damages. Besides, they assure that the businesses are operating within safety and legal regulations.
What Are The Different Types Of Automatic Tank Gauges?
ATGs are numerous in type, the three primary ones being mechanical floats, digital, and hybrid ATGs. Here we’ve explained the advantages and disadvantages of each type:
1. Mechanical ATGSs
Mechanical ATGs are the oldest type, using a float inside the tank that rises or falls with the liquid level. A tape or a wire connects this movement to a dial or a counter, typically a dial, which displays the level. Mechanical ATGs are cheap because they are simple, reliable, and do not require electricity to work.
They are not, however, as helpful as digital systems, because they require manual reading and have fewer features. They also require more maintenance. A frequent example is the float and tape gauge, in use for over 90 years, where a perforated tape and negator spring help balance and display the liquid level.
2. Modern Digital Monitoring ATGs
Modern digital ATGs have electronic sensors and computer programs to record tank level and transmit real-time data and notifications. In-tank probes utilize such technologies as magnetostrictive, radar, or ultrasonic sensing to discern fuel level, temperature, and more. All this information is transmitted to a control device, which interprets and shows it on a screen.
The system is also able to automatically notify about issues such as a lack of fuel, leakage, or water presence. Digital ATGs are highly precise. They have remote monitoring capabilities and advanced options such as leakage detection and inventory. They are, however, expensive, require power, and are more complex to install and maintain. Examples include magnetostrictive, radar, and ultrasonic ATGs.
3. Hybrid ATGs
Hybrid ATGs combine float-based systems with electronic sensors for better accuracy and extra features. The float measures the fuel level, while sensors add more precise data like temperature and help detect leaks. This information is sent to a console for easy viewing and analysis.
Hybrid ATG systems are more accurate than basic float gauges and often cheaper than fully digital options. However, they are more complicated than traditional systems and may need more maintenance. Examples include float gauges with added temperature sensors or systems where the float gives a general reading and sensors fine-tune the details.
ATG Systems and Environmental Compliance
Underground storage tanks (USTs) in the United States are regulated by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) as administered by the EPA. Guidelines include tank design, spill prevention, leak detection, closures, and cleanup. States manage their own programs but must meet or exceed federal standards. The regulations of the EPA are centered on the technical standards, financial responsibility, and state program approvals.
Regulations introduced in Canada to prevent petroleum leaks require that the tank owners must be registered and adhere to the particular codes of practice for safe storage. In Australia, USTs should conform to the national regulations (AS 1940 and AS 4897) regarding the safety design, installation, and operation of underground fuel systems. At the state level, the California Central Valley has local boards that control the policies of cleanup, and the UK has standards such as the EN 13160 that help control leak detection and reporting.
Key Standards from EPA, API, and Other Regulatory Bodies
The EPA administers the federal rules on USTs under 40 CFR Part 280, which includes technical requirements, financial responsibility, and state program standards. Subparts C and D demand spill and overfill avoidance gadgetry, leak acknowledgment devices, and corrosion protection. Section 280.20(e) mandates that only trained personnel install or close tanks.
The API provides industry best practices, including guidelines for tank closure (API 1604), leak cleanup (API 1628), soil remediation (API 1629), and interior tank lining (API 1631). Other API standards focus on corrosion protection (API 1632), safe loading/unloading (API 1007), natural gas storage (API RP 1170/1171), and overfill protection (API 2350).
ASTM International offers standards for managing petroleum releases, including corrective actions (ASTM E1599), risk-based cleanup (ASTM E1739), site investigation (ASTM E1912), and troubleshooting equipment failures (ASTM E2733). Other key organizations include the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Petroleum Equipment Institute (PEI), and Steel Tank Institute (STI). They provide additional safety and performance standards for UST systems.
Choosing the Right ATG System for Your Business
Choosing the right tank gauging system means looking at key factors to make sure it fits your business needs and offers good, long-term value. Here are some variables to factor in when picking an ATG system for your company:
Tank Size and Capacity
Find an ATG system that provides proper real-time visions of fuel, water, temperatures, and leaks. Look for features such as remote access, integration with the cloud, and automated reporting to easily handle the data. Ascertain that it has warnings for problems such as a leak, low fuel, or overfills, and safety protection against overfilling.
Compatibility with Existing Fuel Management Systems
Pick an ATG system that functions well with your current fuel management, POS, and software systems. Make sure it supports your existing tank setup and communication protocols. Also, look for API integration to easily share data across platforms and choose a system that offers centralized access to monitor multiple sites from one login.
Advanced Features
Pick an ATG system that offers accurate real-time monitoring of fuel, water, temperature, and leaks. Look for features like remote access, cloud integration, and automated reporting for easy data management. Also, make sure it includes alerts for issues like leaks, low fuel, or overfills, and has safety features to prevent overfilling.
Cost vs. Long-Term Benefits
Take into consideration the cost of the ATG system as a whole (cost of purchase, installation, and maintenance). Consider the savings you could get on improved inventory control, decreased fuel wastage, and efficiency. Also, look for long-term advantages such as safety and environmental protection, and question the upfront expense. As well as do some research into trade-up programs that will provide payment in the form of credit against old hardware.
Regulatory Compliance and Vendor Support
Make sure that the ATG system is locally compliant and can generate reports to guarantee compliance. Moreover, be sure about the reputation of the vendor, read customer reviews or case studies, and the assistance the vendor provides in case of any difficulties.
Key Takeaways
The use of an Automatic Tank Gauging (ATG) system is significant to a business that has fuel or any other liquid to be measured. They assist in monitoring tank levels accurately, avoiding spills and overfills, and complying with safety and environmental regulations. ATGs also facilitate the use of inventory management and issue identification at an early stage.
With the increasing regulations and expansion of businesses, the correct deployment of the ATG system can increase efficiency, diminish risks, and maintain operations on the compliant side. Modernization of ATG solutions also keeps businesses on their toes, to work smarter, and preserve the bottom line and the environment.
FAQs
1. Which tank condition can typically be monitored by an automatic tank gauge?
ATGs track fuel levels, water, temperature, and tank volume. They also give alerts for high or low fuel and can detect leaks in the space between tank walls.
2. How accurate is tank gauging?
Tank gauge accuracy depends on the type. Modern radar gauges can be very precise, with errors under 0.5 mm and up to ±0.25% using advanced methods.
3. What is the purpose of a tank gauging system?
Tank gauging systems measure liquid levels in storage tanks to track volume. They help with inventory, leak detection, overfill prevention, and smooth operations.
4. How does the ATG probe work?
An ATG probe inside the tank uses floats or sensors to measure fuel and water levels. It sends this data to a console, which shows the volume. Some probes also measure fuel temperature.
5. Can automatic tank gauging be performed on both tanks and piping?
Yes, ATG systems can monitor both tanks and piping, especially double-walled ones. They check for leaks in the space between walls and monitor pressurized piping.
Fuel Smarter and Stay Compliant with Fuel Logic
As the rules of fuel management become stricter, it is important to use Automatic Tank Gauging (ATG) systems that are safe and efficient in fuel management. Fuel Logic can also assist you in being on track, diminishing risks, and running your operations smoothly. We deliver top-quality diesel, gas, and DEF straight to your fleets, tanks, job sites, and generators, anywhere in the U.S.
Our mobile fuel delivery cuts down on waste, spills, and extra trips, helping your business stay eco-friendly. Every order also comes with a dedicated account manager, ready to help anytime. Besides, our tools let you track fuel use, spot issues fast, and keep costs under control. Let Fuel Logic help you stay compliant. Call us to get a quote or order fuel delivery today!
