In-depth | DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY
Another typical screenshot of the monitoring system.
HMS Ocean has refitted fuel and ballast tank management system with PSM.
containing up to 127 iCT transmitters. When it is considered that iCT can also provide temperature measurement the installation time and hardware cost savings are fully apparent. Once a system is installed the
Trawlers have been equipped with PSM for accurate digital data for tank levels, volumes and temperature.
transmitters can share the same power and communications cables. Te iCT is supported by a range of purpose developed termination boxes which ensure simple network construction. It is mentioned above that nowadays
the cost of installing and commissioning a gauging system can easily exceed the cost of the equipment itself. For example the use of a multi-drop arrangement could typically show savings on a container ship of 15,000m of cable. Te time taken to lay that amount of cable varies with the complexity of the vessel type, but the time, cost and weight saving benefits are immediately apparent. The iCT transmitter operates with significantly lower power requirements than
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a conventional analogue transmitter. Tis again shows cost benefits when considering applications where the installation must be to intrinsically safe standards. iCT carries ATEX approval for use in hazardous zones, but like all other Intelligent Sensors (I.S.) equipment it must be protected by a suitable energy limiting barrier or isolator located in the safe area. Unlike all other level equipment it
can be protected by a purpose developed and ATEX approved barrier from PSM. While a conventional installation with analogue transmitters will require a barrier for each and every instrument, the low power requirement of the iCT means that one single Barrier can be used to provide protection for a single RS485 loop
commissioning stage is also greatly simplified. All transmitters are remotely addressable by connecting a laptop at any point in the data loop, and using configuration soſtware included with the iCT they can be programmed to suit the specific application. Tis extends to resetting the calibrated range and zero offsets, a task that, on a conventional transmitter would require access to the tank / transmitter and the physical application of pressure using a test set. With iCT no such access is needed and calibration can be set or changed even when the tank is full of liquid. With conventional transmitters each has
to be factory set for its intended duty, if one is installed in the wrong tank rework and extra cost is unavoidable. With iCT this is not an issue, it can simply be reprogrammed to suit. Te benefits of a multi-drop remotely addressable are applicable across ships of all sizes and for both newbuild and retrofits. In an example of where the iCT’s
attributes have been of direct benefit to an owners business, PSM has recently equipped a series of trawlers where, accurate digital data from each sensor now provides a time stamped record of the tank levels, volume and temperature of fish caught for the entire duration of the voyage. Tis real-time information of storage conditions provides a traceable quality of the fish. Being able to provide this quality assurance means that fish can be pre-sold at the best prices long before the vessel returns to port.
The Naval Architect November 2009
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