Interpolation in Oil Cargo Measurements
Interpolation is a mathematical technique used to estimate values between known data points.
In the context of oil cargo measurements, it's often used to determine volumes, temperatures,
and densities at specific points in time or at specific depths within a tank.
Example 1: Interpolating Volume from Ullage Readings
Suppose we have a tank calibration table that provides the volume of oil in a tank for specific
ullage readings.
Ullage (cm) Volume (m³)
100 1000
110 1150
If we measure an ullage of 105 cm, we can interpolate to estimate the volume:
Volume = 1000 + (105 - 100) * (1150 - 1000) / (110 - 100) = 1025 m³
Example 2: Interpolating Temperature
Consider a scenario where we measure the temperature of oil at two depths in a tank:
Depth (m) Temperature (°C)
0 20
5 25
To estimate the temperature at a depth of 3 meters, we can interpolate:
Temperature = 20 + (3 - 0) * (25 - 20) / (5 - 0) = 23 °C
Example 3: Interpolating Density
We might have a density table for a specific oil type:
Temperature (°C) Density (kg/m³)
15 850
20 845
To estimate the density at 18°C:
Density = 850 + (18 - 15) * (845 - 850) / (20 - 15) = 847 kg/m³
Important Considerations:
● Accuracy of Interpolation: The accuracy of interpolation depends on the spacing of the
data points and the underlying assumptions about the behavior of the variable being
interpolated.
● Interpolation Methods: Linear interpolation is a common method, but other methods,
such as polynomial interpolation or spline interpolation, may be used for more complex
relationships.
● Data Quality: The accuracy of interpolated values relies on the quality of the original
data. Any errors or uncertainties in the original data will propagate into the interpolated
values.
● Limitations of Interpolation: Interpolation should be used with caution, especially when
extrapolating beyond the range of the original data. It's always best to have more data
points to improve the accuracy of interpolation.
By understanding these concepts and applying appropriate interpolation techniques, oil cargo
measurements can be made more accurate and reliable.