Revolutionary New Tank Gauging System

Emerson Process Management announces the launch of the new Raptor tank gauging system. The system is based on open technology and is fully scalable. As a result it is easy to install exactly the devices needed today as well as adding or replacing units tomorrow. This means outstanding flexibility that will protect your investment for a long time. With Raptor, refineries and tank farms can easily become and stay efficient.

The Raptor system includes new safety technologies to help protect plant assets, the environment and human lives. One example is the unique 2-in-1 functionality—with two independent 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 is built around a new line of 0.5 mm (0.02 in.) precision radar level gauges, plus ultra stable temperature transmitters with 3- or 4-wire multiple spot sensors. The result is the highest available precision in net volume calculations for custody transfer and inventory management. Equipment such as pressure and water bottom measurement sensors can also be added as well as operator interface software. Having access to  reliable and accurate tank content information in real time is key to high plant efficiency, as the operators can handle even more tanks, fill the tanks higher and better utilize the storage capacity.

Raptor reduces installation costs substantially. The unique bus-powered 2-wire Tankbus is based on self-configuring FOUNDATIONTM 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.

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 customers can add Raptor units to their existing system using the same cabling and control room infrastructure.

The Raptor system will include 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 alongside traditional wired communication.