Abstract: The present invention defines six unexpected benefits resulting from the automation of and improvements to inventory reconciliation and tank level monitoring at tank farms, terminals and refineries, commonly associated with refining and the transportation of, hydrocarbon fuels. In the implementation of an automated system for tank level monitoring and periodic inventory reconciliation, it has been discovered that both applications can be used to correctly identify maintenance needs and policy violations that were previously unable to be identified. The benefits include identification of thermal relief valve failure, transmix check valve failure, lock out/tag out failure, floating roof landing, and incorrect tank assignments.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method for arc welding with a consumable electrode and with high deposition rates, wherein an alternating current is applied between the electrode and a work piece in order to generate the arc, wherein the alternating current has a current waveform that repeats itself after one period, and wherein the current waveform has at least one positive phase that is divided into at least one positive high-current phase and into at least one positive basic current phase and at least one negative phase within one period. According to the invention, the positive basic current phase is applied within the period after the positive high-current phase and a diffuse arc burns in the negative phase. In this case, it needs to be observed that the positive basic current phase is sufficiently long.

Abstract: In connection with plasma tap hole welding, in which a plasma jet (7) directed towards a workpiece (8) to be welded is generated by means of a welding current applied onto an electrode (2) and a plasma gas, the plasma jet at least partly penetrating through the workpiece (9), wherein at least one electrical conductor (10, 50, 60, 61) is arranged at the exit side (8?) of the plasma jet (7), a penetration current (I2?) being measured via the electrical conductor (10, 50, 60, 61), it is suggested that the penetration current (I2) is actively modified during the welding process.

Abstract: In response to plasma keyhole welding of a workpiece, in the case of which a plasma jet is generated using an electrode, to which a welding current is applied, and at least one process gas, wherein at least one gas composition (22) and/or a gas volume flow rate (20, 21) of the process gas is temporally changed, the gas composition (22) and/or a gas volume flow rate (20, 21) of at least one process gas are temporally changed during a welding process as a function of at least one basic condition (E1, E2) of the welding process

Abstract: In connection with plasma tap hole welding, in which a plasma jet (7) directed towards a workpiece (8) to be welded is generated by means of a welding current applied onto an electrode (2) and a plasma gas, the plasma jet at least partly penetrating through the workpiece (9), wherein at least one electrical conductor (10, 50, 60, 61) is arranged at the exit side (8?) of the plasma jet (7), a penetration current (I2?) being measured via the electrical conductor (10, 50, 60, 61), it is suggested that the penetration current (I2) is actively modified during the welding process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the tandem welding of a workpiece with at least two fusible electrodes A and B to which different potentials are applied, wherein between electrode A and workpiece an impulse arc A and between electrode B and workpiece an impulse arc B burns and wherein the impulse arc A has at least one basic and one impulse current phase A with the frequency A and the impulse arc B has at least one basic and one impulse current phase B with the frequency B. According to the invention the frequency B is an integral multiple of the frequency A, while the impulse current phase A and the impulse current phase B do not overlap.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for arc joining, in particular for arc welding, such that an arc burns between a workpiece and a fusible electrode at a processing site such that an alternating current with at least one positive alternating current phase and at least one negative alternating current phase is applied between the electrode and the workpiece such that the positive alternating current phase is divided into at least one positive pulsed current phase and at least one positive basic current phase and such that the arc is influenced at least temporarily by at least one external magnetic field. According to this invention, the arc is deflected at least temporarily out of the center of the processing site by one or more external magnetic fields during the positive pulsed current phase such that the arc is deflected into a first direction during a positive pulsed current phase and into a second direction which differs from the first direction during the next positive pulsed current phase.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method for arc welding with a consumable electrode and with high deposition rates, wherein an alternating current is applied between the electrode and a work piece in order to generate the arc, wherein the alternating current has a current waveform that repeats itself after one period, and wherein the current waveform has at least one positive phase that is divided into at least one positive high-current phase and into at least one positive basic current phase and at least one negative phase within one period. According to the invention, the positive basic current phase is applied within the period after the positive high-current phase and a diffuse arc burns in the negative phase. In this case, it needs to be observed that the positive basic current phase is sufficiently long.