AUTOMATIC TANK GAUGING

Tank Gauging is a PC based proprietary systems with modular design and integrated via serial interfaces to the DCS for the plant operators and Tank Information System, Oil Movement Information System, Blending Optimization and Supervisory System and Yield accounting system. Data acquisitions are from intelligent field instrumentation. The tank gauging system also includes method of taking into consideration temperature and specific gravity. The on-line, real time multiple parameter measurement capability allow control charting of product quality indicating out of specification batches and crosscontamination. The PC based systems collect, analyze and process all the inventory data for display on the PC. The Refinery Complex and Marine Terminal tank gauging PCs are located at the PIBs (Plant Interface Buildings). The system is based on redundant communications; collecting data via field bus multi drop communications highways, using hot standby features with uninterruptible power supplies. In Reliance Jamnagar Saab Tank Radar System, supplied by: M/S SAAB, SWEDEN, is used for Automatic Tank Gauging. Saab Tank Radar L/2 2900 Series has been designed for refineries, tank terminals and chemical industry, with their tough requirements on highest custody transfer accuracy and reliability.

The SAAB Tank Radar was selected because;

-No moving parts. -Proven radar technique cab be used for white& black oils with different gauge head. -Meeting custody transfer requirements. -Proven for interfacing with FOXBORO.

SAAB System has following components:

-Radar level gauge -Multi spot temperature probe -Single spot temperature probe -Bottom water level probe -Vapour/N2 pressure transmitter -Hydrostatic pressure transmitter -Data acquisition unit -Independent display unit -Field communication unit -Field bus modem -OPI station

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All Radar Tank Gauges are intelligent. They measure and calculate the level, then communicate it on a field bus or directly to a PC. In larger systems there are field communication units that collect data from separate field buses. In this way both stand alone gauges and large system with over 100 gauges are economical and have an excellent performance. The system measures the level with an instruments accuracy of +/-1 mm. But not only does it measures the level accurately, it also measures for example Temperature, Vapor pressure, Hydrostatic pressure, water interface level. And from these measured values it calculates for example, on-line density, net volume and net weight.

Unique features of the SAAB Tank Radar L/2 Gauges are:

-Patented digital signal processing technique. -Excellent accuracy. -Antennas for all types of tanks. -Proven performance. -Custody transfer accuracy approval in most markets. -Patented method for accurate measuring in still pipes. The Saab Tank Radar L/2 system is operated using the operator's interface software. A user-friendly software that gives the operator a good overview and quick access to any measured values. With the optional custody transfer functions included, the software also provides calculated values such as a net standard volume. A whole range of plants host computer system (or DCS, digital control system) can be connected to the Saab Tank Radar L/2 system for display of measured and calculated values. Protocols for communication with the major suppliers of plant host computers have been developed and certified.

Radar Measurement principle - FMCW method

The Radar Tank Gauge transmits microwaves towards the surface of liquid. The gauge transmits the signal with a continuously varying frequency. When the signal has traveled down to the surface and reflected back to the antenna, it is mixed with the signal that is being transmitted at that moment. Since the transmitted signal has changed frequency slightly during the time it takes for the signal to travel down to the surface and back again, mixing the transmitted and received signal results in a signal with a low frequency. This difference between transmitted and received frequency is proportional to the distance to the surface. This method is called FMCW for Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave.

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The transmitted signal varies between approximately 9.7 to 10.3 GHz. Mixing the transmitted and reflected signals, results in a low frequency signal that can provide a measured value with high accuracy.

The Radar Tank Gauges (types):

-The Horn Antenna Gauge, RTG 2920, for roof installation without still pipe. -The Parabolic Antenna Gauge, RTG 2930, for demanding environments without still pipe. -The Still Pipes Gauge, RTG 2940, for measuring in still pipes. -The Still Pipes Gauge, RTG 2945, for measuring in still pipes in pressurizes tanks. -The LPG/LNG Gauge, RTG 2960, for liquid gas, LPG and LNG. These types are shown below.
TRANSMETTER HEAD

HORN ANTENNA GAUGE, RTG 2920

PARABOLIC ANTENNA GAUGE, RTG 2930

STILL PIPE GAUGE, RTG 2940

LPG/LNG GAUGE, RTG, 2960

Electronic unit:
The Electronic Unit is located inside the safety enclosure of the Transmitted Head. The Electronic Unit includes the microwave unit, cards for signal processing, data communication, power supply and transient protection. The Electronic Unit has a microprocessor and memories for boot program, main program and for a database. The database contains constants for the measures of the tank. 40

The Electronic unit has following cards: -Power supply card: Used for giving power supply to the electronic unit. -Communication card: Used as a communication link. -Signal Processing card: Used for data processing. -Current loop card: It provides intrinsically safe 4-20 mA inputs and outputs to the Radar Tank Gauge. -Barrier unit: It provides intrinsically safe power and communication between the Slave Data Acquisition Unit and the Radar Tank Gauge.

Temperature Measurement:
Saab Tank Control offers the TRL/2 Multiple Spot Thermometer (MST) for accurate reliable measuring of temperature. The TRL/2 Multiple Spot Thermometer (MST) measures the temperature with a number of Pt 100 spot elements placed at different heights, to provide a tank temperature profile and an average temperature. CU 90 average elements can also be delivered and connected to the Data Acquisition Units. Only the elements that are fully immersed are used to determine the product temperature. The spot elements are placed in a protection tube made from either nylon or stainless steel. Flanges can be attached to a top fitting and the tube can be anchored to the bottom.

Water Interface Measurement:

The TRL/2 Water Interface Sensor continuously measures the level of the interface between water and oil in most types of tanks. The TRL/2 Water Interface Sensor, WBS 3000, is intrinsically safe and is connected to the Independent Data Acquisition Unit or to the Current Loop Card. The measured level can be displayed on the independent DAU's Local Readout Display as well as in the control room.

On Line Density Measurement:

When the Saab Tank Radar L/2 Gauges complemented with a pressure sensor at the bottom of the tank. Since the height of the product above the pressure sensor is known, the density of the product can be calculated.

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