Apparatus, system, and method for the detection of objects and activity within a container

An apparatus, system, and method for the detection of contents within a container includes a plurality of transducers mounted on an exterior surface of the container. A plurality of acoustic signals is transmitted into the container, and an echo is generated when the signals contact an object. The echo is received at a transducer and a processor analyzes the echo to detect the object. Similarly, two acoustic transducers can be used to angularly transmit the signal into a container. The signal reflects off a sediment surface and is received at another acoustic transducer. The reflection signal can be used to analyze a sediment surface within the container.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is generally related to analysis of containers, and more particularly is related to detecting objects and activity within a container.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Containers such as conduits, pipes, hoses, smokestacks, and the like, are utilized for the transportation and transmission of fluids, which includes liquids, gases, plasmas, and similar materials. Other containers, such as vessels, tanks, and storage facilities may be used to hold fluids for periods of time. With containers used for either or both transportation and/or storage of fluids, it is often the case that particulate matter within the fluids can build up within the interior of the containers over time, which may result in damage to the container or damage downstream from a container. This particulate may collect on the inner surface of the container and build up obstructions to fluid transmission.

When an obstruction is suspected, or pressure buildup is detected, or performance is lagging, the container must go through a maintenance procedure, wherein it is often taken offline so it can be flushed out and cleaned. This can be an expensive and time consuming process due to the effort involved in accessing the interior of the containers and performing the cleaning procedures. Additionally, the time the container is offline commonly results in a loss of productivity and revenue for an entity operating the container.

In a more specific situation, it is common for industrial containers, and especially those used in the oil and gas industry, to have sludge form on the bottom of the container, often from sediment gravitationally settling to the bottom. For example, according to an investigation conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), each refinery in the USA produces an annual average of 30,000 tons of oily sludge. It is estimated that, in 2001, large oil refineries (processing (2-5)×105barrels per day) in the USA, produced 10,000 m3of sludge and in India about 50,000 tons. Total production of sludge goes up because of the increasing demand for refined petroleum products worldwide.

The sediment on the bottom of a container in many industries has an uneven surface due to liquid flow over the sludge over a period of time. This uneven surface is characteristic for oil and gas industry as well as construction water processing. Within the oil industry specifically, the sediment at the bottom of the oil tanks mostly contains crystalized paraffin wax. The process of the sediment settling at the bottom of the tanks occurs naturally due to gravity and density of the sediment relative to the fluid in the tank. In one example, it is common for there to be several layers of sediment that build up on the bottom of the tank, and often, a layer of water forms on the top of the sediment. The crude oil is then located above the layer of water, and a layer of air is positioned above the crude oil. The sludge itself in crude oil tanks is typically made of up of water, petroleum hydrocarbons, and solids.

It is important to know the volume of the sediment at the bottom of the tank since this knowledge allows one to accurately estimate the crude oil in the tank and provides information on when to clean the bottom of the tank. For example, the sludge at the bottom of a crude oil tank can reach to 6-8 feet, which if not accounted for, can significantly affect an estimate of the volume of crude oil in a tank. In the construction industry, water from construction sites must be treated in a sedimentation tank before it can be sent to the outside of the construction site. This prevents solids like sand and grit from settling and blocking the flow. Accounting for the amount of sedimentation at the bottom of the tank allows for an accurate understanding of how much water can be processed through the tank and when the tank needs to be cleaned, among other aspects.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an apparatus, system, and method for the detection of an object within a container. Briefly described, in architecture, one embodiment of the apparatus, among others, can be implemented as follows. A container has a quantity of fluid within an interior space thereof. At least one object is within the interior space of the container and in contact with the fluid. A plurality of acoustic sensors is mounted on an exterior surface of the container. A plurality of acoustic signals is transmitted into the container by at least a portion of the plurality of acoustic sensors, wherein each of the acoustic sensors is capable of transmitting the acoustic signals to a remainder of the plurality of acoustic sensors, and receiving acoustic signals from the remainder of the plurality of acoustic sensors concurrently. At least one echo of at least one of the acoustic signals is altered by the at least one object within the quantity of fluid, wherein each of the plurality of acoustic sensors is capable of receiving echoes. A computerized device has a processor and is in communication with each of the plurality of acoustic sensors, wherein the processor controls the transmission of acoustic signals and collects data representing the received signals and received echoes, wherein the object within the container is detected based on at least one of the received signals and the received echoes.

The present disclosure can also be viewed as providing methods of detecting an object within a container. In this regard, one embodiment of such a method, among others, can be broadly summarized by the following steps: providing a container having a quantity of fluid within an interior space thereof, wherein at least one object is within the interior space of the container and in contact with the fluid; mounting a plurality of acoustic sensors on an exterior surface of the container; transmitting a plurality of acoustic signals into the container by at least a portion of the plurality of acoustic sensors, wherein each of the acoustic sensors is capable of transmitting the acoustic signals to a remainder of the plurality of acoustic sensors, and receiving acoustic signals from the remainder of the plurality of acoustic sensors concurrently; contacting the at least one object with one or more of the plurality of transmitted acoustic signals, wherein the one or more of the plurality of transmitted acoustic signals is altered to generate at least one echo; receiving the at least one echo at one or more of the plurality of acoustic sensors; collecting data representing the transmitted acoustic signals and the received echoes with a computerized device having a processor, the computerized device in communication with each of the plurality of acoustic sensors; and detecting the object within the container based on at least one of the transmitted acoustic signals and the received echoes.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an apparatus, system, and method for analyzing a sediment surface within a tank. Briefly described, in architecture, one embodiment of the apparatus, among others, can be implemented as follows. The apparatus has at least two acoustic transducers. A first of the two acoustic transducers is positioned on a first side of the container, and a second of the two acoustic transducers is positioned on a second side of the container. At least one acoustic signal is angularly transmitted through a fluid material within the container by the first acoustic transducer, wherein the at least one acoustic signal reflects off a sediment surface and is received at the second acoustic transducer. A computerized device has a processor and is in communication with at least two acoustic transducers, wherein the processor analyzes the sediment surface based on the reflection of the at least one acoustic signal.

The present disclosure can also be viewed as providing methods for analyzing a sediment surface, or any other surface produced by different materials interfacing with each other within a container. In this regard, one embodiment of such a method, among others, can be broadly summarized by the following steps: providing at least two acoustic transducers, wherein a first of the two acoustic transducers is positioned on a first side of the container, and a second of the two acoustic transducers is positioned on a second side of the container; angularly transmitting at least one acoustic signal through a fluid material within the container by the first acoustic transducer; reflecting the at least one acoustic signal off a sediment surface; receiving the at least one acoustic signal at the second acoustic transducer; and analyzing, with a computerized device having a processor in communication with at least two acoustic transducers, the at least one acoustic signal reflected off the sediment surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

To improve upon the shortcomings discussed in the Background, it is desirable to be able to detect both the content of particulate matter within the fluid in a container, and the buildup of particulate matter within the container, as well as any static or dynamic surfaces or objects. Being able to detect this particulate matter or surfaces allows for early detection of issues and pinpointed maintenance to be performed on the container when it is needed, rather than at predetermined intervals of time. Performing maintenance and cleaning only when necessary can help limit the downtime of the container, thus saving costs. For the accumulation of sludge within petroleum containers, being able to track and identify the sludge buildup can allow operators to know the volume of the container, such that they will be better prepared to prevent an overfill or underfill situation. Additionally, this same technique can be used to identify any other internal surface or object within a container.

FIG.1is an illustration of a cross-sectional view of a system for the detection of contents within a container10, in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The system for the detection of contents and activity within a container10, which may be referred to herein simply as ‘system10’, includes a container20having a quantity of fluid12within an interior space22thereof. At least one object14is positioned within the interior space22of the container20and is in contact with the fluid12. A plurality of acoustic transducers30is mounted on an exterior surface24of the container20. A plurality of acoustic signals40is transmitted into the container20by at least a portion of the plurality of acoustic transducers30, wherein each of the acoustic transducers30is capable of transmitting the acoustic signals40to a remainder of the plurality of acoustic transducers30, and receiving acoustic signals40from the remainder of the plurality of acoustic transducers30concurrently. At least one echo42of at least one of the acoustic signals40is altered by the at least one object within the quantity of fluid12, wherein each of the plurality of acoustic transducers30is capable of receiving echoes42. A computerized device50has a processor and is in communication with each of the plurality of acoustic transducers30. The processor controls the transmission of acoustic signals40and collects data representing the received signals and received echoes42. The object14within the container20is detected based on at least one of the received signals and the received echoes42.

As illustrated inFIG.1, the container20may be a pipe or cylindrical conduit, such as would be seen in a pipeline, but in other examples, the container may include any type of fluid holding or transporting structure. The plurality of acoustic transducers30may be positioned on the exterior surface24of the container20either directly or indirectly, such that they are positioned along the outer surface of the container20. When activated, the plurality of acoustic transducers30transmit one or more signals40into the interior22of the container20, such that the signals40pass through the sidewall of the container20and enter the fluid12within the container20. The signals40are used to create a visualization of the inner space of the container20, and in particular, any objects14that may be located within the container20. It is noted that the signals40depicted inFIG.1are diagrammatically representative and may not have the same signal pattern as depicted. Additionally, as the signals40from the acoustic transducers30are acoustic signals or ultrasound waves, they are not visually detectable.

The acoustic transducers30may be any form of acoustic sensor which is capable of emitting and/or receiving acoustic signals. InFIG.1, the acoustic transducers30are illustrated diagrammatically positioned on the container20in a spaced arrangement about the circumference of the container20, but it is possible for the acoustic transducers30to be used in arrays or other groupings in various positions about the container30. Additionally, it is possible that the acoustic transducers30are rotatable or otherwise movable relative to the container20, such that they have the ability to emit focused signals40in various directions.

The acoustic signals40penetrate the container20wall and are received through the wall of the container20. Sending the acoustic signals40through neighboring acoustic transducers30, as illustrated inFIG.1, may facilitate identifying objects14within the container20, and in particular, with identifying sediment buildup, more effectively than a signal40along a diameter of the container20.

While the system10may be used in a variety of industries with various containers20holding different materials, in one example the system10is used within the petroleum industry. More specifically, the container20may be a petroleum pipeline or petroleum tank and the sediment or precipitate buildup may be paraffin wax, which is naturally occurring within oil, gas, and other petroleum products. For the oil and gas industry, the system10may be used in large tanks, as well as in pipelines to detect paraffin wax precipitation close to the wall, such that these precipitations of paraffin wax are not left unnoticed and cause flow obstructions or slowdowns. This information will prevent pipeline shut down for maintenance, which is usually a very expensive and time consuming process.

All receiving acoustic transducers30are connected to the computerized device50, which may be a hub or controller with electronic processing capabilities which allow it to evaluate any parameter of the signals40. The connection between the acoustic transducers30and the computerized device50may include any type of communication network52or network connection. The computerized device50and communication network52withinFIG.1may have various features, designs, or architectures. For example, the communication network52may include any suitable network systems, including wired data connections and wireless data connections, e.g., LAN, intranet, Internet, Wi-Fi®, Bluetooth®, NFC, radio, or any other type of network connection. The computing device50may include any type and number of processors, including stationary processors, mobile processors, mobile devices, processor arrays, cloud processing networks, and the like. The computing device50may include any components required for operation, including a power source, computer-readable memory, network communications, and the like. The computerized device50may also be connected to a cloud computer network54, such as the Internet or another network, whereby users of the system10can access data from the system10through various interfaces and platforms.

In one example of operation of the system10, one or more acoustic transducers30emits one or more acoustic signals40into the container20. Then, another acoustic transducer30sends a signal40to all other acoustic transducers30. This process creates an array of acoustic transducers30of a variable number and configuration. While the acoustic transducers30inFIG.1are illustrated in a regularly spaced, planar, circular pattern, the array could be arranged in spiral pattern as well as in a linear pattern along a length of the container20, or any other order or pattern of placing the acoustic transducers30. All array configurations are considered to be within the scope of this disclosure. Multiple arrays of sensors can be used for evaluating the parameters of the signals over a period of time in a three-dimensional space.

The signal40sent from a first acoustic transducer30to all other acoustic transducers30can be received directly without any additional echoes. If there are N number of acoustic transducers30, in any moment, one acoustic transducer30can be sent N−1 signals40, which will be received by the N−1 other acoustic transducers30and then transmitted to the computerized device50. If there are no objects14floating through the liquid, no further signals40may be received. Any additional signals40, in the form of echoes42indicates the presence of an object14within the fluid12that has reflected a portion of a signal40. Through triangulation, the computerized device50can determine where the object14is located within the container20. For example, the location of the object14can be inside the cross section of the container or pipeline where the acoustic transducers30are located, or it can be determined to be a distance from the acoustic transducers30. Additionally, one acoustic transducer30can send one signal that can be received by any number of other transducers at any moment of time and then repeated in any time pattern, thereby generating echoes which are regular, random, or based on the processing of previous echoes or reflections from the computerized device50.

FIG.2is an illustration of a cross-sectional side view of the system10for the detection of contents within a container20illustrated inFIG.1, in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular,FIG.2illustrates a linear arrangement of acoustic transducers30on opposing sides of the container20, such as on the top and bottom of a pipeline, or on the left and right sides of a pipeline, although many other configurations may achieve a similar result. A signal40transmitted into the container20will reflect from the object14, which may be moving or rotating in any possible direction. When the signal40contacts the object14, the signal is reflected as an echo42. The echo42will be received by one or more of the acoustic transducers30, but may commonly be received by several of the plurality of acoustic transducers30. By analyzing the echo42and the time of flight delay of the signal40or echo42, the location and the shape of the object14can be determined. Additionally, a speed of the object14moving within the container20can be determined by evaluating the Doppler Effect of the response or other methods, such as by taking measurements over a period of time and tracking the object using its three-dimensional signature or form, and the characteristic of the movement of the object, such as it's translation movement (linear movement without rotation) and rotation movement.

InFIG.2, the object14is diagrammatically represented as an automated cleaning machine which moves through the container20to remove unwanted deposits of buildup and particulate. As such, the object14represents a macro object that is passing through the container20to clean the container20from the inside using one or more mechanical components which contacts the interior surface of the sidewall of the container20to remove the particulate. These mechanical components which scrape and guide the automated cleaning machine generate characteristic noise that exhibits a frequency shift over time. This frequency shift can be processed by the system10and used to determine the speed of the automated cleaning machine and whether it is dissipating, thus indicating a successful cleaning of the container20or indicating the presence or absence of the automated cleaning machine.

In another example, the object14may include a plurality of small particulate which moves or floats through the container20. For instance, with petroleum containers, the objects14may be asphaltene particles that encapsulate crystallized paraffin wax. This happens in the “cloud phase” of paraffin wax precipitation and can be detected. Both the size and the concentration of these particles can be ascertained using the system10since the smaller particles would reflect the acoustic signals40or sound waves differently, as identified through variations in frequencies and/or wavelengths. Additionally, the polycrystalline structure of the paraffin wax is susceptible to reflecting the acoustic signals40and in the initial phases of crystallization it would reflect additional echoes42by scattering the signal40.

Each of the acoustic transducers30is also capable of receiving echoes42of the signals40created by the objects, such as particulate matter. The computerized device50(not illustrated inFIG.2) is in communication with each of the acoustic transducers30and controls the transmission of signals40and collects data representing the received signals. The computerized device50can differentiate the signals40received from the echoes42and analyze the different wavelengths and frequencies of the echoes42as well as the location of the acoustic transducer30that received each echo42to identify the speed and location of each of the objects14.

As shown at block102, a container has a quantity of fluid within an interior space thereof, wherein at least one object is within the interior space of the container and in contact with the fluid. A plurality of acoustic sensors is mounted on an exterior surface of the container (block104). A plurality of acoustic signals is transmitted into the container by at least a portion of the plurality of acoustic sensors, wherein each of the acoustic sensors is capable of transmitting the acoustic signals to a remainder of the plurality of acoustic sensors, and receiving acoustic signals from the remainder of the plurality of acoustic sensors concurrently (block106). The at least one object is contacted with one or more of the plurality of transmitted acoustic signals, wherein the one or more of the plurality of transmitted acoustic signals is altered to generate at least one echo (block108). The at least one echo is received at one or more of the plurality of acoustic sensors (block110). Data representing the transmitted acoustic signals and the received echoes is collected with a computerized device having a processor, the computerized device in communication with each of the plurality of acoustic sensors (block112). The object is detected within the container based on at least one of the transmitted acoustic signals and the received echoes (block114). Any number of additional steps, functions, processes, or variants thereof may be included in the method, including any disclosed relative to any other figure of this disclosure.

As noted previously, the detection of objects14within a container20may be used to identify various parameters of the object14, such as its size, movement, velocity, etc., as described relative toFIGS.1-3. In addition to identifying parameters of the object14itself, it may be possible to detect characteristics of the container20or other aspects of fluid storage arrangement based on the detection of the object14. This use of the present disclosure is described relative toFIGS.4-7.

FIG.4is a diagrammatical illustration of an apparatus for analyzing a sediment surface within a container210, in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The apparatus for analyzing a sediment surface within a container210, which may be referred to simply as ‘apparatus210’ includes at least two acoustic transducers220,230. A first of the two acoustic transducers220is positioned on a first side242of a container240. A second acoustic transducer230is positioned on a second side244of the container240. Contained within the container240are various fluids, including liquids or gasses, and/or solid or semi-solid substances. The sides242,244of the container240on which the acoustic transducers220,230are positioned are commonly the vertical sidewalls of the container240, such that the acoustic transducers220,230can be positioned along a side of the layered materials within the container240.

To provide clarity in disclosure, the apparatus210is described relative to use with crude oil, in which case, as shown inFIG.4, the container240includes a sediment layer212which may be formed from sludge or other particulate which has gravitationally settled on the bottom surface246of the container240. The sediment layer212has a sediment surface212A, above which is located a layer of water214. Above the layer of water is the layer of crude oil216within the container240, above which is a layer of air218. It is noted that the proportions of the various layers within the container240depicted inFIG.4are not necessarily representative of actual proportions, and that the relative sizes of the various layers of materials within the container240will vary based on a number of parameters.

With the two acoustic sensors220,230positioned on the sides242,244of the container240, at least one acoustic signal250(depicted in broken lines) is angularly transmitted by the first acoustic transducer220through a fluid material within the container240. In the case ofFIG.4, the fluid material is the layer of water214positioned between the sediment212and the crude oil216. The acoustic signal250, transmitted in an angular direction, moves along a path in which the wave contacts the upper or lower surface of the water layer214, such that the acoustic signal250reflects off the sediment surface212A and/or the boundary layer214A between the water layer214and the crude oil layer216. The reflected signal is then received at the second acoustic transducer230, which may be movable tangentially to the outer surface of the container10and/or may be able to change its angle towards the container10surface, as indicated by arrows inFIG.4. By use of the reflected signal250, and commonly a plurality of reflected signals250produced over a period of time, the apparatus210can be used to determine various criteria and characteristics about the sediment layer212on the bottom of the container240.

In one example, the first transducer220is a rotating transducer which is capable of rotating about an axis positioned substantially perpendicular to the sidewall of the container240. For a container240that is cylindrical, the axis of the first acoustic transducer220may traverse substantially through a center point of the container240. The direction of the acoustic signal transmitted may be off-center, such that it is angularly directed towards a sediment surface212A or the water surface214A within the container240, as opposed to directly across the container240without contacting a sediment or water surface212A,214A. As the first transducer220rotates about this axis, the transmitted acoustic signal250will have a directional movement which correlates to the position of the transducer220as it rotates, which allows a plurality of acoustic signals250to be transmitted to a large number of points along the sediment surface212A and the water surface214A. This rotation of the first transducer220along with continuous, near continuous, or periodic signal transmission allows for the acoustic signals250to be sent at various angles into the container240, thereby allowing them to scan a large portion of the surface212A of the sediment212on the bottom of the container240.

The receipt of these signals allows for an effective three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of the surface212A of the sediment212, which can be then used to provide additional information about the sediment212or the container240. For instance, the 3D reconstruction of the sediment surface212A can be used to calculate the exact or near exact surface features of the sediment212. It can also be used, in combination with other parameters and information about the container240, the materials within the container240, or related information, to provide the volume, position, or weight of the sediment212. In turn, this information can be used to determine the exact or near exact volume, weight, or position of the water214or crude oil216within the container240.

One of the parameters which may be used to provide this information is the temperature of the materials within the container240. The temperature may be measured using separate process or with one or a plurality of thermometers260positioned on the outside, inside, or sidewall of the container240. Information from thermometers260can be used to interpolate the temperature of the materials within the container240over a period of time. Another parameter which may be measured for accurate analysis of the sediment212is any flow of materials within the container240, such as movement of materials due to inlet or outlet pipes. Additionally, for crude oil containers, the level of oil in the container240can be used for predicting how much sediment212is still in the crude oil216, if the volume, the density, and the composition of the crude oil216is known.

Measurements with the apparatus210may be performed periodically, such as hourly, daily, weekly, or along another time period, since the amount of sediment212within the container240is prone to changing over time. While the exact makeup of the sediment212within the container240will vary depending on the materials stored in the container240, for a crude oil container, the sediment212typically includes water, solids, and hydrocarbons. The sediment212settles over a period of time to form the sediment layer on the bottom of the container240. The process of sediment accrual may also depend on the composition of the crude oil, the temperature, the amount of water and sediments, as well as the mechanical flow of the fluid inside the container240.

Additionally, it is noted that knowing the size of the container240can assist the analysis of the sediment212. Specifically, knowing the size of the container240can help with evaluating the potential acoustic signal path of the waves. From the time of flight in a pitch-catch scenario, with the signal250transmitted from one transducer220and received by the other transducer230, it is possible to estimate the number of bounces and legs that the signal250has taken and the reflections from both the surface of the sediment212A and the water surface214A. Moreover, knowing the temperature of the water214and absorption parameters, it is possible to estimate how many reflections of the signal250are from the sediment surface212A and/or from the water surface214A abutting the crude oil layer216.

It is further noted that for situations where a container240is recently filled with materials, or where the materials experience mixing or similar action, there may not be discernable layers of the various materials. Rather, it can take time for the various materials to settle into the layers within the container240. Accordingly, this initial phase of settling of the sediment212is in a form of emulsion that does not form a defined impedance barrier between the water214and the sediment212. In this case, it is still possible to measure an increased density and viscosity of the non-separated materials in the container240with a shorter signal path. For instance, instead of determining the signal reflections against the material surfaces, it is possible to use transducers which are positioned a shorter distance from one another, such as non-radially positioned on a cylindrical container240versus transducers220,230which are positioned on opposite sides of the container240. The signal250in this case would not be sent through the center of the container240, but rather, would traverse through a shorter path or chord from one location on the container's240sidewall to another location.

The apparatus210may also be used with a computerized device, which may include various computers, data processors, or similar electronic control devices which can receive the signal information along with other information about the container240and/or the materials within the container240and output information desired by the user. Computationally, the apparatus210may allow a user to evaluate all reflection, refraction, and absorption of the acoustic signals250inside the 3D space occupied by water214on the top of the sediment212within a container240. Using the determined sediment surface212A and the dimensions of the container240, or similar information such as container240volume, it is possible to calculate or estimate the amount of sediment212within the container and/or the weight of the sediment212or other material within the container240. In turn, this can be used to inform the user how much sediment212needs to be removed from a container240, for example. Accordingly, this mapping of the surface212A of the sediment212and calculating the sediment volume and weight can provide significant benefits to industries which are required to maintain containers.

It is also noted that whileFIG.4depicts only two transducers220,230, it is possible and often desired to use a larger number of transducers on the container240. For instance, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 20, or a greater number of transducers may be used, the specific number of which may be dependent on the size of the container240, the materials within the container240, and other considerations, such as the design of the apparatus210.

FIG.5is a diagrammatical top-view illustration of the apparatus for analyzing a sediment surface within a container, in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, where more than two transducers220,230are used on a container240to transmit signals250therein. Further, it may be desirable to use only two transducers220,230in the apparatus210when both transducers are mobile or movable about the container240, and when they are moved in synchronized pattern to characterize the surface212A of the sediment212. For example,FIG.6is a diagrammatical top-view illustration of the apparatus for analyzing a sediment surface within a container210, in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, where two transducers220,230are moved in a synchronous pattern about the sidewall of the container240, transmitting signals250therein.

As is shown by block302, at least two acoustic transducers are provided, wherein a first of the two acoustic transducers is positioned on a first side of the container, and a second of the two acoustic transducers is positioned on a second side of the container. At least one acoustic signal is angularly transmitted through a fluid material within the container by the first acoustic transducer (block304). The at least one acoustic signal reflects off a sediment surface (block306). The at least one acoustic signal is received at the second acoustic transducer (block308). Using a computerized device having a processor in communication with at least two acoustic transducers, the at least one acoustic signal reflected off the sediment surface is analyzed (block310). Any number of additional steps, functions, processes, or variants thereof may be included in the method, including any disclosed relative to any other figure of this disclosure.