The Client’s Tank Trucks Loading Area was upgraded to allow for the Custody Transfer of lubricant products being shipped to end clients. As part of the upgrade, TAI automated their product “Point-of-Fill” process that transfers 150lbs of product thought loading arm, which is then tested for compliance prior to being loaded into clean tank trucks. After testing, if the product meets the quality standards, the tank truck is then loaded. If the testing fails, the operator runs a second automated test.
The tank truck is loaded using the control of a Custody Transfer Coriolis Flow Meter. This meter is calibrated to a referenced measurement standard. The Flowmeter is electronically and Mechanically locked to protect the flowmeter measurements.
TAI’s engineering support improved the safety of the loading process by installing loading arms in Bays #1 & #2 for tank trucks with multiple compartments by adding the appropriate controls to measure amounts of product bring transferred into the tank trucks. TAI also provided automatic shutoffs when the desired quantity of materials were loaded. The new loading arms are fed from a piping manifold that will allow for cross over between loading arms being fed from each of the two truck loading pumps.
As with most inspection and testing services for manufacturing plants, work had to be conducted after regular business hours when the plant was shut down. The Client shut down operations from 6 pm until 1:30 am. Typical testing and inspection can take 8-12 hours. Commissioning can take 24 hours. This project took 15 hours to complete because testing was done in phases and each phase took several hours. TAI determined the formula/calculations for the transfers were off by 30 gallons and the formula needed to be corrected to clear the lines. The Client’s original measurements used inches as the constant for measurement. TAI recalculated the constant using gallons and the next set of tests passed.
As with all manufacturing plants, shut down of facilities is avoided to prevent dips in production. TAI avails its services and professionals to being available at any time or duration to make sure services are rendered and goals fulfilled to keep operations running. Dedicated to our Client’s success, we go the extra mile to make it happen!
