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Petrochemical Distribution SCADA
Vopak Terminal Los Angeles
Wilmington, California
One operator in a central control room oversees multiple concurrent pipeline, ship, and truck transactions for 22 petrochemical tanks. Tank levels, pump statuses, valve positions, and alarm conditions are reported graphically and audibly to the operator. Semi-automatic control operations are initiated through multi-monitor PC workstations, allowing concurrent operations to be fully monitored.
The operator transfers product from trucks, tank to tank, ship to tank, tank to ship, tank to pipeline, and pipeline to tank. Jet fuel is received, stored, filtered, and routinely piped to Los Angeles International (LAX) airport. Pumps are automatically sequenced off and actuated valves closed when the desired quantity of product is transferred. Multiple concurrent automatic transfers are routine, and the potential for human error greatly reduced, using the sophisticated Oil Transfer System (OTS) designed by Custom Automation.
For additional safety, active product movements are viewed by staff in a multitude of locations at two separate terminals several miles apart using a comprehensive SCADA and microwave wide area network (WAN) designed and installed by Custom Automation. Tank level and alarm data for 60 tanks at the remote terminal are closely monitored by the system during inter-terminal transfers. The control system can be operated remotely via the WAN in the event of an evacuation of the tank farm caused by an earthquake or other emergency.
The control system automatically tracks inventory movement and posts daily activity data for management consumption.