Many ancient civilizations, such as the Romans, Greeks, Incas and Chinese recognized the value of having a unified system of liquid measurement. When goods and services are traded, fairness and accuracy is a valid concern. Governments, businesses and academic institutions have over time devised uniform methods to add objectivity, reduce costs and increase the equity in market transactions.
It is the science of metrology that is concerned with the accurate measuring needed to ensure equity transfers, fairness and confidence in business transactions. International cooperation is essential and with organizations such as International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Asia-Pacific Legal Metrology Forum (APLMF) and Measurement Canada this goal is being accomplished worldwide. As globalization becomes a reality, and technology become more sophisticated so to does the need for more precise measurement.
We all know the value the petroleum industry provides to modern society, and its importance to the world economy. From oilfields to the downstream refining, the petrochemical industry has been one of the leading sectors in the development of liquid metrology. Lead by organizations such as the American Petroleum Institute (API), measurement in the petroleum industry as been advanced for Offshore, Marine, Pipeline, Refining, Tank Cars, Aviation, Anhydrous Ammonia, Liquid Petroleum, Diesel and Gasoline. Other petroleum related organizations, such as the Petroleum Equipment Institute (PEI), Independent Liquid Terminals Association (ILTA), National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) and the Society of Independent Gasoline Marketers of America (SIGMA) have added interest in reliable measuring and safety techniques informing terminals, home heating oil, diesel, fuel transporters and service stations. Motorsports, whether auto, aviation, or boating need to determine the best use of fuel.
Food and beverage companies have a long history of needing accurate measurement of liquids. The bottling and tank industries needs accurate dispensing so as not to short change their customers. As potable water becomes an international issue more people are purchasing water that is dispensed into containers, necessitating the need for accurately measuring the amount delivered to consumers. Milk production, from farm to bottling, requires measurement to assure that correct volumes are being transferred and sold. Quality control is important when metering ingredients into kettles when blending sauces and gravies to assure a consistent flavor and to monitor valuable liquid additives.
Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic quality control programs require strict validation programs to conform to ISO guidelines for their manufacturing process. Quality Assurance and Quality Control programs utilize our lab measures in areas where stainless steel construction is preferred to glass and high accuracy is needed. Research laboratories have similar requirements.