| 主权项 |
1. A method for monitoring the mass of a fluid remaining in a tank as the fluid periodically or continuously leaves the tank, comprising:
(a) measuring, with a flow meter in communication with at least one processor, a plurality of flow rate measurements of the fluid as it leaves the tank during at least one measurement period, wherein each flow rate measurement of the plurality of flow rate measurements is determined at a time interval; (b) determining, with the at least one processor, a mass of the fluid that has left the tank during the at least one measurement period based at least partially on: (i) an averaged value of the plurality of flow rate measurements taken during the at least one measurement period, (ii) a density of the fluid at a pressure and/or temperature of the fluid as it passes through the flow meter, and (iii) the time interval between the plurality of flow rate measurements; (c) determining, with the at least one processor, a mass of the fluid remaining in the tank based at least partially on an initial mass of the fluid in the tank and the determined mass of the fluid that has left the tank during the at least one measurement period; and (d) generating, with the at least one processor and based at least partially on the mass of the fluid remaining in the tank, an indication of at least one of the following: a volume of the fluid remaining in the tank, a consumption rate, a consumption rate history, the determined mass of the fluid remaining in the tank, an estimated time remaining before the tank will be empty, or any combination thereof. |
