AkzoNobel tank park monitoring

AkzoNobel tank park monitoring

The Inca Pinturas industrial plant, from AkzoNobel, produces a wide range of paints and chemical products. The production processes are highly complex and involve the use of a diverse variety of raw materials, many of which are explosive. These raw materials are stored in a tank park, whose levels and temperatures must be carefully monitored. Prior to the implementation of the project with Inteka, these measurement operations were performed manually.

With the aim of improving the accuracy and availability of measurement data, as well as improving plant safety by avoiding manual maneuvers in explosive atmospheres, it was proposed to implement an automatic tank monitoring system.

For this challenge, AkzoNobel trusted Inteka’s Engineering and Integration Services. The solution consisted of the design and implementation of a sensor network, using Profibus PA, suitable for explosive atmospheres. This network was integrated with an Industrial Ethernet network, thus linking the sensor network with the plant control system. In addition, security interlocks were implemented with the loading and unloading pumps, and alarm signaling using overflow sensors.

Inteka’s scope encompassed both engineering and development services and the provision of the necessary equipment and instruments, in a project whose total duration was 90 days.

This solution improved the reliability and availability of raw material stock information, in turn increasing the level of plant safety. The design of the solution, using Profibus PA, made it possible to save installation costs and, in turn, facilitate subsequent maintenance tasks thanks to online instrument diagnostic tools.

AkzoNobel is the largest company of decorative and industrial paints worldwide. The company has activity in more than eighty countries and employs approximately 50,000 people.

More information at: www.akzonobel.com