29-11-2019

Rotork selected for strategic tank farm automation

Rotork has supplied over 100 actuators, including new actuated valve packages and actuators for the motorisation of existing gate and butterfly valves. In addition to supplying the products, Rotork’s responsibilities include retrofitting existing valves, installing new actuated valves and commissioning. The actuators will be remotely monitored and controlled by two hot-standby Rotork Master Stations equipped with Pakscan digital control software, operated via a Distributed Control System by a Siemens PLC in the site control room.

The selection of the Rotork automation solution was assisted by the proven performance and user-friendliness of IQ3 intelligent actuation technology in many other hazardous area tank farm installations, combined with the local availability of technical support to achieve the objectives of the programme.

The actuators are IQ3 explosion proof non-intrusive intelligent multi-turn and part-turn designs with double-sealed IP68 watertight environmental enclosures. As well as proven reliability, the IQ3 actuator incorporates advanced functionality facilitating predictive maintenance and asset management. The integral data logger records detailed operating information including valve torque profiles, valve operations and alarms. Downloading and analysing this data can make a vital contribution to long-term asset management.

Pakscan is a digital control system designed specifically for valve actuators, with actuator focused features that are unavailable from other designs. For example, each Rotork Master Station has the capacity to monitor and control up to 240 actuators on a single fault tolerant field network, up to 20 kilometres long, without repeaters. This is an important reliability and economic consideration in the spacious environments of tank farms.

Strategically located on the north-western African coast, this terminal has a storage capacity of over 532,900 m³ for petroleum products and blending components, with marine, rail and road tanker access. In addition to supplying the North African region’s requirements, the terminal also provides bunker services for the international petroleum marketing companies. These combined activities are expected to serve a total of 300 million consumers.