Unique tank inventory management systems
February 2001
Level Measurement & Control
Enraf, manufacturer of tank gauging instruments and systems from the Netherlands, is offering the SmartRadar LT (Model 973), for cost-effective level-gauging applications. Based on the SmartRadar gauges in use since 1995, this radar gauge provides reliable readings accurate to 3 mm. The instrument can be used for measuring a wide variety of liquid products such as asphalts, chemicals, oils and liquefied gases. It is also suitable for use with high temperature products and for pressurised tanks. Supporting the measurement of average temperature, density and water interface, the radar uses planar antenna technology, which was originally developed for satellite use. This antenna configuration makes the gauge compatible with most storage tank configurations.
The use of digital frequency synthesis ensures there is no temperature drift and there is no requirement for calibration or warm-up time. Being compact, lightweight and self-contained makes installation easy. It has no moving parts and requires virtually no maintenance and the electronic assemblies are protected in a weatherproof and explosion-proof housing, which ensures long-lasting and reliable operation. The gauge is protected from lightning damage by virtue of its galvanically isolated inputs and outputs.
Tank inventory management system
The new software package, Entis Pro, is a unique tank inventory management system. Powerful and flexible, this management system has been developed for the Windows NT operating system. It interfaces smoothly at different system layers and provides communication with almost any third party package. Its open architecture combines standard connectivity tools and an open inventory database. Data is retrieved via dedicated communication interface units and processed through to the open Entis Pro inventory database. Many different screen displays are available for inventory management. These include bar graphs, tabular details, ionised tanks and a complete range of optional modules such as trending, report printing and a 'what if...' tank calculator. Both numerical and graphical displays are available.
All the data shown in the numerical displays is high resolution, accurate and can be customised to suit the customer's specific requirements. The graphical displays provide a quick overview of tank status. These displays can be either tank or group related. Several graphical interfaces are also available and the tank images can be customised per tank if required.
Liquid Automation Systems (LAS), the distributor for Enraf in southern Africa, have engineered unique tank inventory management solutions, utilising the Enraf tank gauging equipment and inventory systems, for large customers in South Africa and also in the neighbouring countries. Recent installations were for Sasol Oil at Alrode and Pretoria West, and for Total at Alrode, Waltloo and Nelspruit. These installations integrated servo and advanced radar-gauging technologies with the DataDIP capacitance probes and Entis Pro.
LAS provided a complete solution to meet the customer requirements for both horizontal and vertical tanks. The most recent installation was at the Richards Bay terminal of Island View Storage that included Entis Pro and Tank Calculator, which provides extensive trend and prediction capabilities.
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