Tank gauging system

Emerson Process Management’s Raptor system consists of a complete range of tank gauging instrumentation including high performance, non-contact radar level gauges, temperature and pressure transmitters plus water interface sensors and inventory management software. Tank hubs are used to communicate with the measuring instruments and control room via standard communication protocols. The design is based on open technology and is fully scalable with functionality and scope that can be adapted to any application and performance class.     The system includes safety technologies which help to protect plant assets, personnel, and the environment. One example is the 2-in-1 functionality - with two independent radar gauges in one single enclosure - providing SIL 3 safety for overfill prevention. There are also a number of other dual redundant configurations available to suit individual tank safety requirements. Raptor’s bus-powered 2-wire Tankbus communication is based on self-configuring FoundationTM fieldbus technology, allowing easy start-up and integration of all system units. The tank units are intrinsically safe, which means no expensive cable conduits are required. Communication to the control room can be made using Modbus over most existing cabling, or using other fieldbus standards. Further installation cost savings can be realized with Smart Wireless functionality, which eliminates the need for long distance signal wiring. This is especially valuable when no suitable ground cabling is available and it is necessary to cross roads, or when ground conditions make cabling expensive. Wireless communication can also be used as a redundant and independent communication path beside the traditional wired communication. There are many tank farms with gauging based on older technology, even in fairly recent installations, leading to maintenance problems and low performance. Raptor can emulate gauges from other manufacturers. This means the customers can add Raptor units to their existing system using the same cabling and control room infrastructure. The tank gauging system is built around a new line of Rosemount 0.5 mm precision radar level gauges, and ultra stable temperature transmitters with 3- or 4-wire multiple spot sensors. The result is the highest available precision in net volume calculations for custody transfer and inventory management. Having access to reliable and accurate tank content information in real time is key to high plant efficiency, as the operators can handle even more tanks, fill the tanks higher and better utilize the storage capacity. The systems are applied on all types of storage tanks, both fixed roof and floating roof tanks. The radar gauges use the drip-off antenna concept, proven in 100,000+ installations world-wide. They can be used in virtually any liquid ranging from light products such as liquified petroleum gas, liquefied natural gas, and gasoline, to heavier products such as crude oils, and asphalt. Edited by Constanze Schmitz