 |
 |
||||||
[September 2001]
ABLE Release Tank Farm Control System Solution
As a response to the concerns of customers regarding the inflexible nature of available control systems for tank farms, ABLE have developed a new approach to tank farm management. T.I.C.S. (Tank Indicating Control System) is designed for customers who require a complete turnkey solution for vessel content and tank farm control.
The concept behind T.I.C.S. is said to be unique in that ABLE provide a customised solution to meet individual plant and control requirements. This can include helping select appropriate instrumentation, control system configuration and even process advice where appropriate.
The fundamental aspects to this new concept in tank farm control are: -
ABLE offer a cradle to grave service from design through to commissioning and maintenance T.I.C.S. may be applied to applications which range from single vessels to large tank farms Cost Effective Solution - Completely pre-configured and supplied with only those features actually required Suitable for new and mature sites Integrates into any existing control architecture Web centric options available allows remote access to view or change operating parameters across the internet or via the users Intranet system Control Panel designs are modular, ensuring that only those features required are supplied, whilst simultaneously all systems may be easily upgraded to fulfill future requirements. Whilst T.I.C.S. may be used as a stand-alone system it can, as appropriate, communicate and/or integrate with any existing architecture such as a SCADA or DCS. Thus ABLE have ensured that T.I.C.S. may be applied equally well to brown or green field sites.
Moreover, unlike many currently available systems, ABLE have designed T.I.C.S. so that it is not constrained to accepting input from a limited source of suppliers, therefore allowing the most suitable measurement and control technologies to be incorporated. In the long term, says the company, this can realise numerous benefits including increased process throughput, reduced nuisance trips and increased safety.
Typical T.I.C.S. configurations and options include: -
Stand Alone Annunciation Panel - Typically used to provide alarms and manage process, for applications where a full DCS or SCADA is not required. PC Based System - Often utilised for local control where integration into a larger control system is required. Remote Annunciation Panels - This can take the form of a simple display, audible alarms, "remote" control or a combination of these. Simple Multi Channel Relay Controller - A complete level management system with multiple sensor inputs, relay outputs and a RS485 data connection. Typically housed within an IP65 wall mount enclosure for remote data acquisition an optional modem and software package may be included required. The "Chameleon" type capability also provides solutions for more complex applications, for instance, where net and gross volume calculations are required and inputs from spot or average temperature sensors are essential. T.I.C.S. is equally capable of handling applications that require information pertaining to the actual movement of a process within the tank farm that may need inputs from valves, actuators and flowmeters. In fact ABLE have T.I.C.S. available which include integral leak detection systems; this type of innovation is of particular interest for those sites where storage and movement of high value, toxic or lethal media is a concern.
Web site: http://www.able.co.uk/
ENDS