The "thinking" tanks from Gent
Ghent Processing and Logistics (PL) is a service center the petrochemical industry. The system integrator Egimin recently automated the system. With the help of the WAGO-I/O-SYSTEM 750, a very flexible concept was evolved - in the city of a Belgium seaport city named Gent.
The industrial leaders in Europe use Egemin Groups in Belgium. The department PROCESS SYSTEMS is mainly engrossed with process control and automation. This includes developing, initiating and operating industrially used automation systems for storing, transporting and processing liquid and solid material. Strategic alliances with additional specialist ensure Egemin a market position as a highly requested system integrator (specialist include Enraf for tank instruments, ORSI-software for process controls, and TopTech Systems Inc. for tank storage management system).
Totally satisfied
Egemin developed E'VITA® (Egemin vertically integrated tank terminal automation) concept specifically for tank storage. E'VITA® offers a through connection to all automation levels from the business management systems to the process control systems. This is achieved by installing „Terminal Executing System Level " or short TES between levels. This level contain a centralized databanks, which allows access from the PCS level (Process Control System) and also from the BMS level (Business Management System). The result is a direct contact between the main floor and the tank in the field, assuming the I/O connection is capable. Bart Callaerts, who is responsible for Business Development Tank-Terminal at Egemin, states: „We needed a topology that can adjust to any situation."
The I/O connections need to be close to the tank instruments. Digital and analog I/Os are equally needed along with the specialized components like counters. The many WAGO-I/O- SYSTEM 750 bus modules fulfils all wishes. One of the Egemin projects in the tank storage field is GPL (Ghent Processing and Logistics) on the seaport of Gent, Belgium. Since the end of 1997, the old Texaco, later known as the Ethyl Additive plant became part of the ADPO group in Antwerpen that operates similar plants. Under the management of ADPO, GPL was rebuilt as a logistic and processing center with increased capacity.
Highly flexible I/O connection
GPL has over 180 tanks with a total capacity of 61.000m³. Most of the tanks are insulated, can be heated, and contain a mixing element. A seperate reactors are used for high temperature and pressure processes, esterification and ploymerization per customer specifications.
Fully automated storage with space for over 4000 palettes, several filling stations, a pier for sea ships and several rail connection are all used to achieve an quick turn around of product. To keep the equipment to the newest technical standards, Egemin was assigned to do the automization and installation of the the supervision systems.
T. De Backer, responsible for the hardware installation at Egemin, states: "GPL has different sized tanks in various combinations distributed throughout the grounds. Meaning that we not only have a very complex complete topology, but also each tank has an individual, specialized topology. Furthermore, the equipment keeps changing. New tanks are built, some by GPL others by competitors. These companies have space on the ground, because they profit from GPL's infrastructure. To automate, this type of complex equipment needs a highly flexible I/O connection. The WAGO-I/O-SYSTEM 750 is all that is needed to wire a new sensor to the nearest control box (distributor in the field). At that point, additional modules will be inserted on the available WAGO node. Upon contact the connection is already made. Extra costly couplers and any interaction in the bus network can be omitted"
Automating the GPL was a difficult project even for experienced tank equipment experts. Both higher technical demands and strict regulations needed to be observed. The change-over needed to be exact for the project to be successful. The system is kept flexible, partially due to the light wave lines as a basis. In an emergency when the controller breaksdown, simply switching a bus connection from another unit can take over the process control. Bart Callaerts comments: „It's important that you can rely on your partner when working on a large project. WAGO not only has an attractive price/capability relationship, but also has an excellent customer service. The on-site service from WAGO, Belgium and the support via telephone from WAGO, Minden was fast and knowlegdable."
