A Ullage Temperature Interface Detector (UTI) is an essential tool in the maritime and oil industries for gauging liquid cargo in tanks, especially on oil tankers and other vessels carrying liquid bulk cargo. This multi-functional instrument provides accurate measurements of ullage (the space above the liquid in a tank), temperature, and interface (the boundary between two liquid layers), making it crucial for safe and efficient cargo handling.
Functions of a UTI Detector
A UTI detector combines three primary measurements into a single device:
- Ullage Measurement: Measures the distance from the liquid surface to a fixed reference point at the top of the tank. This helps assess how much space is left in the tank and determine the volume of the cargo.
- Temperature Measurement: Measures the temperature of the liquid cargo at specific points. Temperature is critical for volume calculations, as it affects the density and total volume of the cargo.
- Interface Detection: Identifies the boundary between two different liquids, such as oil and water, within the tank. This is important for detecting and separating water that may have settled at the bottom of an oil tank.
