Emerson Process Management’s new Raptor tank gauging system makes it easy to install the devices needed today and add or replace units in the future. This flexibility protects users’ investments so that refineries and tank farms can easily become and stay efficient. Additional benefits include lower installation costs, high accuracy, and built-in safety features.
The Raptor system consists of a complete range of tank gauging instrumentation including high performance, noncontact radar level gauges; temperature and pressure transmitters, plus water interface sensors and inventory management software. Tank hubs are used to communicate with the measur ing 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 new safety technologies to help protect plant assets, personnel, and the environment. One example is the unique two-in-one 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 reduces installation costs substantially. Raptor’s unique, bus-powered two-wire Tankbus communication is based on self-configur ing FOUNDATION™ 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 Emerson’s 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 customer can add Raptor units to their existing system using the same cabling and control room infrastructure.
