One of Toptech Systems’ customers sought to streamline operations at its marine loading facility to enhance efficiency and meet new blending requirements. The challenge involved a highly complex distributed control system responsible for delivering a variety of products, each requiring manual intervention due to different meters and loading arms. Additionally, the absence of automatic document printing forced operators to manually enter meter readings into the ERP system, leading to inefficiencies and potential errors.
This scenario is not uncommon in marine terminals. Traditionally, metering lines are designed to deliver fixed blend ratios, limiting adaptability to alternative fuel products. With the increasing need for diverse blend ratios and alternative fuel integration, existing metering configurations struggle to accommodate changing specifications. For instance, blending diesel from high- and low-sulfur components requires varying blend ratios based on end-product specifications and base component conditions. Similarly, when incorporating biocomponents like ethanol or FAME into hydrocarbon products, the blend ratio dictates flow rates, affecting accuracy and efficiency when meters operate at minimum flow rates.
To improve flexibility and efficiency, an ideal solution would allow any product to be routed through any meter while maintaining accuracy and blend ratio integrity. This is precisely what Toptech Systems’ Multiload II+ Routing feature provides.
Enhanced Flexibility with Multiload II+ Routing
Unlike traditional setups, where each blend component is tied to a specific meter, the Multiload II+ Routing feature introduces a dynamic and flexible approach. This system enables multiple blend components to be assigned to the most suitable meter for the operation, rather than relying on a rigid one-to-one mapping between product components and meters.
When authorising a blend, Multiload II+ employs a configurable algorithm to automatically determine the optimal routing based on external inputs, custom logic, blend percentages, and target flow rates. Additionally, the system allows for cost-based routing decisions, ensuring the most cost-effective option is selected for blending operations. This level of automation significantly reduces manual intervention, optimises throughput, and enhances operational accuracy.
Real-World Impact on Marine Terminal Operations
By implementing the Multiload II+ Routing feature, the customer successfully simplified their DCS while reducing the need for manual adjustments. The modernisation of DCS/SCADA systems, in combination with Multiload II+, enabled more efficient and error-free loading operations. Additionally, every transaction is seamlessly integrated into Toptech Systems’ Terminal Automation System (TAS) TMS7, ensuring reliable data transfer to the customer’s ERP system for accurate billing and reporting.
Through this innovative solution, the customer achieved a streamlined and future-proof marine loading operation, improving efficiency, reducing costs, and enhancing adaptability to evolving fuel blending requirements. The Multiload II+ Routing feature underscores Toptech Systems’ commitment to delivering smart, automated solutions that drive efficiency and operational excellence in the terminal industry.
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