Components
May/June 2013
Maximising gas storage E
merson Process Management’s Smart Wireless technology is helping RWE Gas Storage maximise the capacity of its DolnĂ Dunajovice underground gas storage facility in the Czech Republic. Installation of five Smart Wireless networks and more than 100 wireless measurement devices has increased visibility into the process, enabling the plant to improve control and run closer to its capacity. Automating data collection has also eliminated manual rounds at the plant, improving operator efficiency and safety. “We needed to upgrade our existing instrumentation and add additional measurements, but with just two short windows of opportunity each year and no available existing
cabling infrastructure, it was impossible to complete the work within the scheduled twoweek downtime,â€? said Pavel Ĺ ilinger, energy manager, RWE Gas Storage. “Extending the downtime would cost RWE an estimated US$250,000 a day in lost income.â€? RWE needed a solution that did not require installation of new cabling and allowed a longer period for the upgrade to be completed. To meet this need, RWE selected Smart Wireless technology from Emerson. Based on IEC 62591 (WirelessHART) communications, the technology is well-proven, reliable and both quick and easy to install and commission. The wireless solution didn’t require RWE to install new cabling or new I/O cards in the control
host. RWE simply added Smart Wireless Gateways to the existing Modbus network and all data from the new wireless transmitters was then available within the existing control system. This meant that the plant could continue to operate while new instruments were being installed, removing the need for the upgrade to be completed within the scheduled two-week downtime. Five wireless networks span the entire 50,000 sqm facility, supporting more than 100 new wireless transmitters. The instruments are predominantly Emerson’s Rosemount wireless pressure and temperature transmitters, with a number of Rosemount Guided Wave Radar level transmitters and Fisher control valves also connected using Emerson’s THUM Adapters. “Emerson’s wireless solution takes only a quarter of the time to install, and saves around 20 percent of the cost of a cabled installation,â€? continued Ĺ ilinger. “The availability of HART data, including diagnostics from new and existing devices, was another significant reason for selecting Smart Wireless and is helping us to
BULKDISTRIBUTOR
15
improve plant maintenance procedures.� In addition to the benefits of better process management, RWE is saving 10 percent a year on its total maintenance costs. Remote online access to diagnostic information enables operators to identify potential instrument problems earlier and correct them before poor measurements start to affect the process. Access to online data has also reduced the number of trips into the field, helping to improve the safety of equipment and workers. Based on the successful implementation of wireless technology at the Dolnà Dunajovice site, RWE plans to implement Emerson’s Smart Wireless at all of its underground storage facilities in the Czech Republic. RWE Gas Storage, part of the RWE Group, is the biggest underground gas storage operator in the Czech Republic, operating six facilities with a total operating capacity of almost 3 billion cbm. Gas is stored in porous underground facilities during low-off take periods and supplied to users when demand peaks.
New design to control vapours B
lackmer says it has taken the concerns regarding vapour recovery and product contamination in oil & gas field applications into consideration by applying its ‘distance piece design’ technology in its HD and HDS Series oil-free reciprocating gas compressors. The non-lubricated (oil-free) design of the HD and HDS models includes a full distance piece compartment between the compressor’s cylinder and crankcase. External ports are located at the top and bottom of the distance piece chamber that can be used for purging, pressurizing or venting. This provides the compressor’s user maximum leakage control of any vapours that would normally vent into the crankcase uncontrollably with other designs. It also allows for control of potentially harmful vapours to a recovery tank, safe disposal area or
flare system before they can escape to the atmosphere. The HD and HDS compressors are available in either single- or two-stage configurations. They are equipped with high-efficiency ductile-iron valves with PEEK valve plates, ductile-iron head and cylinders, two sets of self-adjusting filled PTFE packing sets on each piston rod for maximum leakage control, self-lubricating TFE piston rings, a precision-ground crankshaft and a pressure-lubricated crankcase. The nonlubricated design means no lubricating oil is used in the upper cylinder or head area where it could add additional contaminate to the gas stream. ‘HDS’ model compressors are built for sour gas applications using special NACE compliant materials for exposure up to 8 percent by volume of H2S.
Wireless measurement devices have increased visibility into the process, enabling RWE to improve control and run closer to capacity
Performance & Precision Under Pressure Since 1952 Tank component specialists for over 60 years, Girard Equipment Inc. builds superior products designed for the hazardous liquid transportation industry. With offices and distribution worldwide, Girard Equipment Inc. is a trusted name known for offering unequaled reliability, durability, and value. Made from true stainless steel and carefully machined by a team dedicated to their craft, Girard Equipment Inc., provides relief products for all types of containers and road tankers including:
UĂŠ UĂŠ UĂŠ UĂŠ UĂŠ UĂŠ
Pressure Relief Vents >}˜iĂŒÂˆVĂŠ6>VÕՓÊ Ă€i>ÂŽiĂ€Ăƒ 6>ÂŤÂœĂ€ĂŠ,iVÂœĂ›iÀÞÊ ÂľĂ•ÂˆÂŤÂ“iÂ˜ĂŒ Â˜ĂŒiĂ€Â“Âœ`>Â?ĂŠ/>Â˜ÂŽĂŠ ÂœÂ˜ĂŒ>ˆ˜iÀÊ ÂľĂ•ÂˆÂŤÂ“iÂ˜ĂŒ Â˜ĂŒiÀ“i`ˆ>ĂŒiĂŠ Ă•Â?ÂŽĂŠ ÂœÂ˜ĂŒ>ˆ˜iÀÊ ŽÊ ÂľĂ•ÂˆÂŤÂ“iÂ˜ĂŒĂŠ ,ÒʇÊ/iyÂœÂ˜ÂŽĂŠ ˆ˜i`ĂŠ*Ă€iĂƒĂƒĂ•Ă€iÉ6>VÕՓÊ,iÂ?ˆivĂŠ 6iÂ˜ĂŒĂƒĂŠvÂœĂ€ĂŠ>}}Ă€iĂƒĂƒÂˆĂ›iĂŠ Â…i“ˆV>Â?ĂŠÂ ÂŽĂŠ/Ă€>Â˜ĂƒÂŤÂœĂ€ĂŒ>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ UĂŠ Ă•ĂƒĂŒÂœÂ“iÀÊ iĂƒÂˆ}˜i`ĂŠ,Âœ>`ĂŠ/>˜ŽiÀÊ ÂľĂ•ÂˆÂŤÂ“iÂ˜ĂŒ
Girard Equipment, Inc.
/035) ".&3*$" t 6/*5&% ,*/(%0. t /&5)&3-"/%4 t $)*/" t #3";*-
‡ ZZZ JLUDUGHTXLS FRP
2013-half.indd 1
2/4/13 12:20 PM