FEATURE Instrumentation
SETTING THE STANDARD FOR SAFETY
Cleaner, safer, more efficient operations have been achieved at a tank farm in Germany, thanks to advanced instrumentation from VEGA
R
egularly checking dozens of measuring points is no easy task – but it’s essential for monitoring liquids that could pollute water.
Plant engineering firm Göhler recently constructed a new tank farm for Friedrich Scharr KG, a Stuttgart-Vaihingen-based specialist in fuels and solvents. The site features 22 above-ground tanks with a total capacity of 2 million litres and sets new standards for environmental protection. During construction, engineers had to consider complex factors such as earthquake safety and the installation of tanks across multiple floors. VEGA supplied the measurement technology for the project – chosen for its ability to simplify the mandatory inspections required under the German Water Resources Act (WHG). Friedrich Scharr KG and its subsidiaries serve over 250,000 customers across southern Germany – from private households to industrial plants – supplying mineral oil, LPG, natural gas, electricity, biofuels, and solvents. The new chemical tank farm, inaugurated in July 2024, offers 2 million litres of storage across 40 tanks and compartments, each holding between 40,000 and 100,000 litres. Smaller containers, canisters, drums, and IBCs are filled automatically. The project also includes a 15,000-litre mixing tank where solvents can be blended to customer specifications. With the new facility, the long-established company has modernised its chemical storage operations in Stuttgart to the latest technical and environmental standards. From the start, the project’s goals were
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clear: increase efficiency, enhance safety, and minimise environmental impact. Göhler Anlagentechnik – a hazardous materials specialist with over 70 years of experience – designed and built the turnkey system. The new setup allows tankers to be filled and emptied directly on calibrated truck scales, removing the need for repeated transfers between the old storage site and the weighing station. Given that tankers can have up to seven chambers, this change significantly reduces internal traffic and emissions. The site also incorporates renewable energy sources, including photovoltaic systems and a local heating network. Instrumentation plays a key role in the new facility’s safety and environmental performance. Working closely with VEGA, Göhler equipped the site with state-of-the-art measurement and control systems. “VEGA technology sets the standard for operational safety and measurement accuracy,” says René Kozica, Project Manager at Göhler. Overfill and leakage protection were top priorities. Continuous monitoring with multiple transmitters ensures that any critical level triggers an immediate alarm, while strategically placed leakage sensors detect even the smallest leaks. VEGA instruments were selected for their
robustness, reliability, and ease of testing. “We chose VEGA for their high quality and innovative features,” explains Kozica. “For instance, their controllers have a built-in test button that allows the overfill protection to be checked quickly and easily.” Under the WHG, overfill prevention systems must be inspected at least annually.
Conventional testing methods are time- consuming, often requiring tanks to be filled or probes to be removed and tested manually – both costly and potentially risky. VEGA’s approach, however, enables simulation-based testing at the push of a button. With around 170 vibrating level switches and 40 VEGAPULS radar sensors installed, manual testing at each point would be impractical. The VEGATOR controller solved this challenge, relocating the test button from the tank top to the control cabinet. Here, all controllers are lined up together, allowing staff to perform centralised function tests safely and efficiently. “The simplified testing process was a major advantage for both Scharr and Göhler,” notes Manuel Hildebrandt from VEGA. Flexible sensor fittings also allowed the use of standard-length switches across multiple applications, reducing planning effort and spare part stock. While continuous radar sensors could technically serve as overfill protection under WHG rules, Göhler opted for an additional layer of safety. The vibrating level switches’ adjustable sensitivity is especially useful for low-density media such as solvents – enabling them to detect even a few millimetres of liquid, ensuring rapid response to leaks.
The facility’s non-contact radar measurement uses VEGA’s 80 GHz VEGAPULS technology. Its highly focused beam allows the use of small process fittings – a 1.5-inch thread is enough – and avoids interference from internal structures. Since the radar sensor never touches the medium, material compatibility issues are virtually eliminated. Durable stainless steel housings and chemical-resistant PEEK antennas further ensure long service life. The new chemical tank farm at Friedrich Scharr KG demonstrates how modern engineering and innovative technology can deliver both environmental and economic benefits. Through collaboration with Göhler and the use of VEGA’s advanced instrumentation, the company has achieved safer, cleaner, and more efficient operations.
“The new facility shows how innovation can tackle modern challenges while reducing environmental impact – a true showcase project for chemical logistics,” concludes Kozica. Author: Armin Scheuermann, a chemical engineer and freelance trade journalist
VEGA Controls
www.vega.com/uk
Automation | October 2025 25
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