Abstract: Systems and methods for material composition detection includes a vessel containing a quantity of a fluid composition therein which has at least a first and second fluids. At least one acoustic transducer is positioned on an exterior sidewall of the vessel. A computerized device has a processor and is in communication with the acoustic transducer. A metric of a property of the first fluid is determined based on a first signal of the acoustic transducer. A metric of a property of the second fluid is determined based on a second signal of the acoustic transducer. A metric of a property of the fluid composition at a point in time is determined based on the metrics of the first and second fluids, and at least a determinable volume of at least a portion of the vessel. A material identity of the fluid composition is determined at the point in time.

Abstract: Systems and methods for material composition detection includes a vessel containing a quantity of a fluid composition therein which has at least a first and second fluids. At least one acoustic transducer is positioned on an exterior sidewall of the vessel. A computerized device has a processor and is in communication with the acoustic transducer. A metric of a property of the first fluid is determined based on a first signal of the acoustic transducer. A metric of a property of the second fluid is determined based on a second signal of the acoustic transducer. A metric of a property of the fluid composition at a point in time is determined based on the metrics of the first and second fluids, and at least a determinable volume of at least a portion of the vessel. A material identity of the fluid composition is determined at the point in time.

Abstract: Floating roof storage tank systems and related methods are disclosed. The disclosed systems include a storage tank, a floating roof, and a plurality of acoustic sensors. The storage tank has one or more walls defining an interior space and the floating roof is configured to move vertically within the interior space. The acoustic sensors are levelly mounted along a horizontal plane on the one or more walls of the storage tank. One or more signals received by at least a portion of the plurality of acoustic sensors are used to determine a tilt angle of the floating roof.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for the detection of contents within a container includes a plurality of transducers mounted on an exterior surface of the container. A plurality of acoustic signals is transmitted into the container, and an echo is generated when the signals contact an object. The echo is received at a transducer and a processor analyzes the echo to detect the object. Similarly, two acoustic transducers can be used to angularly transmit the signal into a container. The signal reflects off a sediment surface and is received at another acoustic transducer. The reflection signal can be used to analyze a sediment surface within the container.

Abstract: Floating roof storage tank systems and related methods are disclosed. The disclosed systems include a storage tank, a floating roof, and a plurality of acoustic sensors. The storage tank has one or more walls defining an interior space and the floating roof is configured to move vertically within the interior space. The acoustic sensors are levelly mounted along a horizontal plane on the one or more walls of the storage tank. One or more signals received by at least a portion of the plurality of acoustic sensors are used to determine a tilt angle of the floating roof.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for multi-bounce acoustic signal material detection is provided. The apparatus includes a container containing a quantity of material therein, wherein the quantity of material has at least two segmented layers. First and second acoustic sensors are positioned on a sidewall of the container, wherein the first acoustic sensor is positioned at a different height along the sidewall than the second acoustic sensor. An acoustic signal is transmitted into the sidewall of the container from the first acoustic sensor. The acoustic signal reflects between an interior surface of the sidewall and an exterior surface of the sidewall until it is received at the second acoustic sensor. A border between the at least two segmented layers of the quantity of material is detectable based on the acoustic signal.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for the detection of contents within a container includes a plurality of transducers mounted on an exterior surface of the container. A plurality of acoustic signals is transmitted into the container, and an echo is generated when the signals contact an object. The echo is received at a transducer and a processor analyzes the echo to detect the object. Similarly, two acoustic transducers can be used to angularly transmit the signal into a container. The signal reflects off a sediment surface and is received at another acoustic transducer. The reflection signal can be used to analyze a sediment surface within the container.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and related devices are disclosed for determining a valve state and/or determining the presence of a material within a vessel. A vessel is holding or transporting a quantity of material. At least one valve is positioned within the vessel, the at least one valve controlling at least a portion of a flow of the quantity of material. At least one acoustic sensor is positioned on an exterior of the vessel. At least one computing device is in communication with the at least one acoustic sensor. A processor of the at least one computing device determines a flow rate of the quantity of material based on at least one acoustic signal transmitted from the at least one acoustic sensor. The processor determines a state of the at least one valve based, at least in part, on the determined flow rate of the quantity of material.