Rating of Geometrical Methods of Tank Calibration: F-TOPSIS Approach

Abstract

Every new storage tank in the oil sector is required to be calibrated before using them for oil storage and also to be re-calibrated as statutorily required. Depending on the prevailing regulatory guidelines in the country, either a wet or geometrical method of calibration is adopted. This study examines various geometrical methods of tank calibration vis–a–vis their strengths and weaknesses. Tank farm owners (operators) are always faced with the challenge of selecting the best geometrical method of tank calibration while considering some number of factors. To address this aforementioned issue, this study was embarked upon to rank the known four (4) geometrical methods of tank calibration using Fuzzy TOPSIS (F-TOPSIS) approach. Three different experts were drawn from reputable calibration companies to respond to the questionnaire based on the following criteria: Accuracy; Hazard involved; Time consumed; Drudgery involved; and Cost. The interdependencies among the criteria were considered, and a triangular fuzzy set was adopted. The results revealed that the Electro-Optical Distance Ranging (EODR) is the best alternative with a closeness coefficient of 0.974, while the Optical Reference Line Method was ranked least with a closeness coefficient of 0.197. To validate the result of rating by F-TOPSIS, another hybrid MCDM, Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) was used to rank the alternatives, and EODR was also ranked as the best alternative. Sensitivity analysis was carried out for five different scenarios to validate the robustness of the decision-making tool used in this study. All the scenarios considered for the sensitivity analysis ranked EODR and OTM (Optical Triangulation Method) first and second, respectively. So, it can be concluded that EODR is the best geometrical method of tank calibration. Though the cost of using EODR might be higher than other methods, this is being compensated for by higher accuracy, less time with less exposure to hazards. It can also be confirmed that F-TOPSIS is a formidable MCDM tool that finds its usage in every facet of life for a robust decision-making process.