Tank Storage Terminal in Sweden Meets Latest Safety Requirements

FH Tank Storage AB is using Emerson Process Management’s Rosemount® wireless level and pressure transmitters to provide overspill protection at its Kalmar storage terminal on the east coast of Sweden. The company has installed a plant-wide Smart Wireless network, DeltaV™ digital automation system, and AMS Suite predictive maintenance software to automate tank storage level monitoring. This enables FH Tank Storage to meet the latest environmental and safety requirements, as well as improve the efficiency, accuracy and reliability of level monitoring and the safety of terminal personnel.

Emerson’s Smart Wireless network has enabled measurement data to be processed without the need to install new cabling, a cost saving of between €50,000 to €100,000. New cabling would require extensive groundwork which would disrupt operations and fuel tanker traffic around the site.

The Rosemount transmitters are deployed on the storage tanks and transmit measurement data to Emerson’s DeltaV system installed in the main control room. AMS Suite helps operators monitor the health of both the wireless network and the individual transmitters, and improves the efficiency of maintenance staff by identifying any faults and reducing the number of trips into the field.

“Emerson’s Rosemount level, pressure and temperature transmitters, and the Smart Wireless network, have enabled us to implement a cost-effective automated measurement system,” said Lars Ferm, Site Manager, FH Tank Storage. “They have also improved the monitoring of tank levels and have provided a fully approved overspill protection solution.”

The FH Tank Storage terminal has a capacity of approximately 13,000m3. The 68 tanks, ranging in size from 10m3 up to 2100m3, are used to store solvents, petrol and a range of chemicals. Increasingly tight environmental regulations required overspill protection to be added to all existing tanks, with new level switches needed to trigger an alarm should levels rise above preset levels.

“The Smart Wireless network was relatively simple to install and both the network and the transmitters have been extremely reliable since they were installed,” explained Ferm. “We expect to continue to deploy wireless level devices in the near future as we don’t see any reason or benefit to using cables.”

There have been no overfill alarms at the site so far, and the historical information provided by the radar measurements has enabled quick and accurate answers to customer queries. Based on this success, FH Tank Storage has placed a further order for Rosemount radar level transmitters and THUM Adapters to automate 15 more tanks. In addition, 5 tanks are currently being constructed at the terminal and Rosemount radar devices are expected to provide the level measurements and overspill protection.