When Vopak Chemical Distribution Europe invested 2,5 million pounds sterling in a major expansion of its Cadishead bulk solvents terminal near Manchester, England, the choice of instrumentation and connectivity was an integral part. The facility was purpose built to handle DASF oxygenated solvents. A significant expansion and upgrading of the Cadishead site brought the sea-fed, multifunctional facility to world-class standards for a terminal of its kind.
Seven new storage tanks added a further 2500 m3 capacity, bringing the total to 15 000 m3 in 50 tanks. The new storage facilities use the latest technology, with advanced primary containment features such as radar telemetry to measure tank levels and high level alarms to prevent overfilling and overspill.
VEGA Instruments was chosen for the tank levels project, a critical part of the upgrade to improve the efficiency of the storage facility. The high frequency PULS40 series instruments were used at this site, as they operate from a narrower beam angle using smaller antenna systems and give higher accuracy and resolution.
After carrying out a site survey, it was noted that the vessel entries had differing sizes and varying fittings. This would normally require a selection of models with multiple, non-standard flanges, causing a significant knock-on effect for any spares holdings. As a result of this potential problem, VEGA utilised its high frequency radars with a threaded mounting boss in combination with interchangeable antennas, which enables not only the use of vessel entries down to 40 mm, but also allows flanges to be easily swapped. Only one spare system was now needed.
Field, office and Internet connectivity was necessary because of the large number of tanks at the facility. VEGA supplied its VEGAlog 571 system, a multipoint, expandable solution allowing up to 15 sensors on one 2-core cable - which greatly reduces cabling cost and complexity. This system also provided the customer with integrated information, interrogation and commissioning all in one system. The VEGAlog can support a webserver card, which can supply ready data and files to a networked computer system or the Internet.
Vopak also uses VEGA Visual software, which takes a direct serial output from the VEGAlog 571. VEGA Visual provides graphic readouts, communication to the computer network, trends, and on screen messaging alarms. These messaging alarms can be in the form of SMS text messaging, e-mail or fax. The system can be used to notify when to resupply, or if an overfill level is reached. This integrated solution provides stock information to a wide variety of people, ensuring efficient supply and stock control throughout the supply chain.
Self-monitoring, overfill protection is the final backup for the system. VEGAswing high-level switches (picture) are used on all the tanks as ultimate high-level protection. Wired on a completely separate system, these are vibrating fork type sensors, featuring fail-safe, self-monitoring and remote self-testing facilities. These switches actively monitor for corrosion, damage, build-up and failure to ensure they are still able to operate in the unlikely event of an overfill. VEGA offered full in-house training to the Vopak staff on the use of radar, VEGAlog and VEGA Visual.
For more information contact Alan Wynn, VEGA Instruments SA, 011 958 1901, alan.wynn@za.vega.com
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