Wireless functionality for tank gauging systems

02 February 2010

Emerson’s Rosemount TankRadar Rex and Pro tank gauging system now include Smart Wireless functionality. With Smart Wireless technology, new-radar based Rex and Pro systems can be installed in a storage tank farm without the need to install costly long distance signal wiring.

Wireless functionality for tank gauging systems

Wireless functionality for tank gauging systemsTank gauging data from remotely located tanks, previously collected manually or not at all, can now be easily integrated into the control system, resulting in more efficient tank capacity utilisation, more accurate inventory and better loss control.

Many tank storage facilities that would benefit from modern, non-contact gauging have obsolete or non-existent signal wiring from the tank storage area. Retrofit of the gauging system in such plants is normally expensive and time consuming as the distance between the storage tanks and the control room can be more than one kilometre, requiring extensive trenching and cabling. Costs associated with wiring, additional hardware, and labour, easily drive up the budget for any tank farm expansion project. Emerson’s Smart Wireless solutions enable cost-effective implementation of new measurement points. In addition, compared to wired systems, the time between project start-up and an ‘up-and-running’ Smart Wireless tank gauging system, is drastically reduced.

A Smart Wireless THUM Adapter is easily installed on existing HART field instruments to free up diagnostics and process information that had previously been inaccessible. The THUM Adapter provides the wireless interface between the TankRadar Rex or TankRadar Pro radar gauge and the TankMaster inventory software or host/DCS system via WirelessHART communication with 99.9% data reliability.

The self organising mesh network ensures uninterrupted data communication in an environment with large obstacles such as storage tanks. Every THUM Adapter serves as a network connector and backup so there is no single point of failure. All data transfer is protected by 128-bit encryption for best-in-class-security.

Data is received by the Smart Wireless Gateway in the control room area and fed into the inventory management software package or DCS system. In addition to level data, all relevant data from multi-point temperature transmitters, pressure sensors and water bottom level sensors are transmitted.

Wireless tank gauging also means that precise inventory data for remotely located tanks that was previously out of reach can be made available. For those plants already using Emerson’s Smart Wireless, installation of the first gauging units will be even easier as they can use mesh nodes from other Emerson equipment to expand and strengthen the wireless network.