Accuracy
From small fuel distributors to multinational oil terminals, load computers are the focal point of getting products from the storage tanks onto road tankers and rail cars. With legislative impact and increased health and safety considerations, coupled with the drive to load and deliver products quickly, it is essential that load computers are not only accurate, but are able to monitor other aspects of this potentially hazardous process, such as driver authorization to ensure only approved operators can perform loading actions. With the cost of oil rising, theft is becoming more of a problem and secure authorization at the Load Computer is one way of reducing the possibility of pilfering.
Monitoring of the truck Overfill/Earthing systems is also a key factor in ensuring the safety of the loading operation. Sensors mounted on the vehicle, monitor high level compartment alarms to prevent an overspill incident. Similarly during the load process, static build up as fuel (or chemicals) enters the truck compartment has the potential to ignite. Again Load Computers can monitor these sensors and shut down the loading sequence should an alarm occur.
Performance
As part of depot security, gate access systems are being introduced. On unmanned sites, authorized personnel can still gain access to load, which offers tremendous flexibility to their business whilst maintaining the security of the depot. On larger terminals, the access system will not only control entry and exit to the depot, but can also direct drivers to specific loading bays or display important messages. Access systems can also be expanded to incorporate personnel entry/exit gates as well as vehicular access, so there is a record of all staff on site at any particular time.
A reliable audit trail is vital for todays oil industry. The need to know what is in your storage tanks against what has been loaded out onto your tankers has always been a laborious and error prone task for many oil companies having to calculate and adjust for stock losses and gains. There are many reasons for this such as leaks, spills, theft, expansion/contraction due to temperature changes, inaccurate measurement, operator error, cross contamination etc. Packages are now available which will pull information from Load Computers, Level Gauges, Access Gates etc to provide a complete audit trail of product, vehicle movements, transport documents and databases so that accurate analysis and planning can be done.
Contrec Load Computers comply with the latest international metrology standards, offer 4 arm simultaneous loading, operate in Zone 1 hazardous areas and can work as either a standalone load computer or integrate as part of a larger terminal infrastructure.