For terminal operations managers, custody transfer engineers, process engineers, and compliance officers who need highly accurate product…
For terminal operations managers, custody transfer officers, process engineers, and EPC specifiers who need reliable and precise average temperature…
For terminal operators, custody transfer officers, automation engineers, and EPC project specifiers who require accurate tank inventory…
A spot temperature probe uses a single, high-accuracy platinum RTD element to capture temperature at a fixed depth in the tank. The device is factory-calibrated, designed for harsh hydrocarbon service, and integrates directly with L&J radar, servo, and float & tape gauges for digitized tank data transmission.
When a Spot Temperature Probe Is Preferred
Use a spot probe when:
Fixed-roof tanks, well-circulated products, and small-to-medium tanks often exhibit stable temperature gradients. A single RTD provides sufficient accuracy without the cost or complexity of a multi-element probe.
Spot probes have no moving parts, require minimal installation space, and offer high accuracy with minimal lifecycle cost.
Many blending, transfer, and process operations only require one temperature point for volume correction or control.
Spot probes (available in flanged ANSI 150/300 lb versions) are ideal for spheres, bullets, and pressurized vessels where average probes cannot be installed easily.
Our average temperature probe and average temperature converter are designed to measure true average product temperature, not just a single point. These devices use multiple RTD elements spaced vertically so the system automatically selects the elements fully submerged in the liquid and mathematically calculates a true API-compliant average temperature.
This method aligns with typical ATG configurations for custody transfer, where average temperature must match API MPMS requirements for GSV/NSV determination.
Use an average probe when:
Large tanks, tall fixed-roof tanks, heated tanks, or tanks receiving warm/cold product loads often develop temperature layers. Multi-point sensing is required to determine a representative average.
API standards require accurate temperature averaging for custody transfer. A multi-element probe significantly reduces error vs. a single-point RTD in large tanks with temperature gradients.
Multi-point temperature improves calculated density, mass, and blend-quality accuracy.
Multiple thermosensors are mandatory when gradients are large or safety-critical.
Accurate tank gauging across the industry (API, OIML, and all major ATG manufacturers) requires level + temperature as the minimum two variables for inventory determination.
Every petroleum product has a thermal expansion coefficient. A 1°C change in temperature can alter volume significantly in large tanks—resulting in thousands or millions of dollars in apparent gains or losses if uncorrected.
Level tells you how much space is filled; temperature tells you how dense it is. Both are required to calculate standard volumes (GSV/NSV).
Accurate temperature ensures correct billing, reduces reconciliation errors, and avoids false “losses” due to uncorrected shrink/expansion.
Temperature data helps operators manage wax formation, vapor pressure management, heating cycles, stratification monitoring, and operational alarms.
To ensure accurate inventory, custody transfer, and operational safety, temperature must be measured alongside level. Temperature affects liquid density and volume, making it essential for API volume correction and reliable tank-farm accounting.
Cognesense provides both spot and multi-element temperature solutions, ensuring every storage tank—regardless of size, product type, or regulatory requirement—can achieve accurate, reliable temperature measurement.