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Monomer monitoring in tank farms and during transport

LiquiSonic® - The solution for early detection of product changes in polymerization-critical monomers

Why LiquiSonic®?

During the storage, unloading, and transport of monomers, any early information about the current product condition is crucial. Substances such as MMA, styrene, acrylates, methacrylates, or acrylic acid are stored and transported in a stabilized state. Nevertheless, heat, long storage times, contamination, inhibitor degradation, or residues in lines can cause the monomer to change or uncontrolled polymerization to begin.

With LiquiSonic® you get a highly precise inline measurement system based on sound velocity measurement that detects changes in the monomer flow in real time:

  • Incipient Detect polymerization at an early stage: Detect deviations in the monomer before they lead to subsequent problems.
  • Protect tank inventories: Prevent altered or partially polymerized material from entering the storage tank unnoticed.
  • Secure goods receipt and unloading: Check delivered monomers directly in the unloading line, before they enter the tank.
  • Monitor production feed: Ensure that only specification-compliant monomer enters downstream processes.
  • Save time and costs: Reduce manual sampling, thereby reducing laboratory effort and the risk of costly consequential damage.
  • Seamless integration: Integrate LiquiSonic® into your existing control system and use measured values for monitoring, alarming, and release logic.
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How LiquiSonic works®

  • Measurement of sound velocity: A sensor continuously records the sound velocity of the flowing medium during operation.
  • Integrated temperature measurement: The process temperature is recorded directly in the sensor and included in the evaluation.
  • Comparison with reference data: The measured values are compared with stored reference values for the respective medium. This creates an acoustic fingerprint of the product condition.
  • Detection of deviations: If the medium changes due to aging or contamination (or polymerization), the sound velocity deviates from the expected range.
  • Real-time warning: In the event of critical deviations, LiquiSonic® can issue a warning message and transmit a signal to the process control system.

Store and transport monomers safely

Polymerization-critical monomers place special demands on storage and logistics. In addition to temperature, fill level, pressure, inhibitor content, and vapor space monitoring, the actual condition of the liquid medium is crucial. LiquiSonic® provides this information directly in the process. The inline measurement enables continuous monitoring without time-delayed laboratory analysis and without manual sampling during handling.

Typical monomers and substance groups:

  • Methyl methacrylate (MMA)
  • Methacrylates
  • Styrene
  • Acrylates
  • Acrylic acid
  • Methacrylic acid
  • Vinyl acetate

Measurement in the unloading line

The unloading line is one of the most important measurement points for monomer applications. Here it is checked whether the delivered product corresponds to the expected condition before it enters the storage tank. With LiquiSonic® tank farms, chemical terminals, and production facilities can continuously monitor the monomer flow during unloading.

Advantages:

  • Inspection before entering the storage tank
  • Protection against contaminated or aged deliveries
  • Quick release or blocking decision
  • Better documentation of the unloading process

Monitoring of storage tanks

During storage, the condition of a monomer can change. Causes can include temperature stress, long storage duration, contamination, water content, inhibitor degradation, or residues in the system. LiquiSonic® can be installed in a recirculation line or a suitable bypass and continuously monitor the tank contents.

Advantages:

  • Permanent condition monitoring of the tank contents
  • Early detection of gradual product changes
  • Additional safety alongside temperature and level measurement
  • Better basis for decisions on release, transfer, or quarantine

Control at the tank outlet

Even if the delivery was flawless, the monomer can change during storage. Therefore, the tank outlet is another important measurement point. LiquiSonic® monitors the product flow before the monomer enters downstream systems. This helps prevent altered or partially polymerized material from being introduced into reactors, dosing systems, filters, mixers, or production lines.

Advantages:

  • Additional release before production
  • Protection of reactors and dosing systems
  • Avoidance of filter blockages
  • Lower risk of batch losses
  • Stable product quality in the downstream process

Transfer and handling lines

In chemical terminals, tank farms, and production facilities, monomers are frequently transferred, loaded, or moved between different tanks. With every transfer, there is a risk that incorrect, aged, or altered product will be transported further. LiquiSonic® enables continuous inline monitoring at critical transfer points, for example during:

  • Truck unloading
  • Tank container unloading
  • Tank-to-tank transfer
  • Transfer to quarantine tanks
  • Loading for delivery

Your advantages at a glance

  • Early detection of polymerization: LiquiSonic® detects changes in the monomer flow at an early stage based on sound velocity.
  • Protection against tank contamination: Delivered goods can be checked before they enter the storage tank.
  • More safety in tank farms and terminals: Continuous inline measurement complements existing protection concepts and increases operational transparency.
  • Quality assurance during storage and transport: Monomers are monitored not just selectively, but continuously.
  • Low-maintenance measurement: The sensor technology operates without moving parts and is designed for robust use in process lines.
  • Temperature-compensated evaluation: The integrated temperature measurement supports reliable assessment of the product condition.
  • Integration into existing systems: Measured values can be displayed locally or transmitted to the process control system.
  • Reduce costs: Early warning helps avoid unplanned cleaning, plant downtime, or hazardous situations.

Typical application areas

  • Goods receipt inspection: Check whether the delivered monomer is in the expected condition.
  • Tank farm monitoring: Continuously monitor tank inventories during storage.
  • Transport and handling: Monitor product flows during unloading, transfer, and loading.
  • Production release: Ensure that only suitable monomer enters production.
  • Quarantine and returns: Evaluate conspicuous or returned monomer batches more quickly and safely.

We will find the right solution for you!

Every monomer application has its own requirements. The decisive factors are the specific medium, the temperature range, the installation situation, the desired alarm limit, and the available reference data. SensoTech supports you in evaluating the appropriate measuring point and in the application-specific design of the LiquiSonic® system. Whether unloading line, recirculation line, transfer line, or tank outlet: together, we develop a measurement concept that fits your plant and your safety requirements.

Would you like to continuously monitor monomers during storage, transport, or unloading?

Describe your application - we will get back to you for technical coordination!
Together, we clarify boundary conditions and possible solution approaches.

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What is continuous monomer monitoring?

Continuous monomer monitoring means observing the condition of polymerization-critical liquids such as MMA, styrene, acrylates, or methacrylates during storage, transport, unloading, or processing. The goal is to detect changes in the product at an early stage before quality problems, safety risks, or plant disruptions occur.

Why is monitoring monomers in tank farms important?

Monomers can change due to heat, long storage times, contamination, lack of oxygen, or residues in lines. In the worst case, unwanted polymerization begins. Continuous monitoring helps detect noticeable product changes at an early stage and better protect tank inventories, plants, and downstream processes.

How does LiquiSonic work in monomer monitoring?

LiquiSonic® measures the speed of sound in the liquid medium and simultaneously records the process temperature. These measured values create a characteristic acoustic fingerprint of the respective monomer. If this deviates from the expected range, it may indicate aging, contamination, or incipient polymerization.

Where can LiquiSonic be used?

LiquiSonic® can be installed directly in process lines or in the bypass. Typical measuring points are unloading lines, transfer lines, recirculation lines on the storage tank, tank outlets, or quarantine tanks. This allows the monomer to be continuously monitored during goods receipt, storage, transfer, and production release.

Which monomers can be monitored with LiquiSonic?

Typical applications include polymerization-critical monomers such as methyl methacrylate (MMA), styrene, acrylates, methacrylates, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, and vinyl acetate. Additional monomers can be evaluated after application-specific assessment.

What benefits does LiquiSonic offer operators?

Operators gain greater transparency about the condition of their monomers. This supports safe unloading, better incoming goods inspection, early detection of critical deviations, and well-founded release or blocking decisions. At the same time, manual sampling, unplanned downtime, cleaning effort, hazardous situations, and follow-up costs caused by inadequate material can be reduced.

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