guided wave radar aramco’s experiencesmycommittees.api.org/standards/cre/soics/shared...
TRANSCRIPT
API Spring 2008p g
GUIDED WAVE RADAR GUIDED WAVE RADAR ARAMCO’S EXPERIENCESARAMCO’S EXPERIENCES
A. ChenA. Chen
AAramco Services Companyramco Services Companyp yp y
Molten Sulfur Molten Sulfur –– Berri Gas Plant Berri Gas Plant
Background:Background:gg
Bubbler system Bubbler system Blockage of Sensing LinesBlockage of Sensing LinesBlockage of Sensing LinesBlockage of Sensing LinesInaccurate ReadingsInaccurate ReadingsDriftingDriftingT t l M lf tiT t l M lf tiTotal MalfunctionsTotal Malfunctions
Twin ProbesTwin ProbesTh ll l d d i i l i i h Th ll l d d i i l i i h The parallel conductor design is less sensitive than The parallel conductor design is less sensitive than the concentric coaxial. The “open” design also allows the concentric coaxial. The “open” design also allows more accurate measurement where more accurate measurement where coating / buildcoating / build--ggup are possibleup are possible. A film coating has little effect on . A film coating has little effect on performance. However, bridging of material performance. However, bridging of material between the rods or buildbetween the rods or build--up on the spacers can up on the spacers can between the rods or buildbetween the rods or build--up on the spacers can up on the spacers can cause improper measurement and should be avoided. cause improper measurement and should be avoided.
Test Plan:Test Plan:
Evaluation Period (6Evaluation Period (6--12 months)12 months)
Comparison to Hand DippingComparison to Hand Dipping
End of Evaluation:End of Evaluation:
Minor BuildMinor Build--UpUp
Housing CorrosionHousing Corrosion
PerformancePerformanceffLevel Reading Comparison (Eclipse Vs. Hand Dipping)
70
50
60
70
30
40
50
evel
(inc
hes)
Eclipse Reading
Hand Dipping
10
20
L
0
Date
Ecl ipse Reading 54 63 37 37 43 62 51 31 42 52 62
Hand Dipping 55 63 38.25 37.5 45 61.25 52.25 32 43 53.5 62.75
8/ 5/ 00 8/ 6/ 00 8/ 7/ 00 8/ 8/ 00 8/ 9/ 00 8/ 10/ 00 8/ 11/ 00 8/ 12/ 00 8/ 13/ 00 8/ 14/ 00 8/ 15/ 00
Date
Vacuum Bottom Service
Temp. = 376.6 Deg.C
Pressure = 50 mm hg abs
Viscosity: increases rapidly if
temperature drops slightly
dK Value = 1.4 - 2
Traditional Level Instruments
Displacers
Magnetostrictive
DP (Remote Seal)
RF Capacitance
RadarRadar
Nuclear
GWR Design
Single rod version
High temperature transmitter( +400°C )( +400 C )
Two-wire Transmittero e a s e
Works for dk = 1.4
Installation & Commissioning
Installation:Steam tracing and insulation to
measure true vacuum bottom level
Commissioning:False Echo Suppression Adjustment
Summary
GWR is a reliable level measurement for vacuum bottom application
Nuclear technology should not be considered unless all technologies fail to meet the grequirements.
GWR Applications pp
• Uthmaniyah Gas Oil Separation PlantOil/ l i i t f i d ltOil/emulsion interface in desalterReplaced internal displacer, external displacer, and wet leg D/P cellKrohne BM-100 (4–wire) transmitterInstalled on external bridle
• Ras Tanura RefineryCaustic/disulfide oil interface level in Merox unitReplaced displacer and capacitance probeKrohne BM-100 transmitter
GWR Applications pp
• Shedgum Gas PlantS CSlug CatcherKrohne BM-102 (loop powered)
• Shaybah Gas Oil Separation Plant - 4 All level measurement except oil-water
finterface level and package equipmentFoundation Fieldbus (FF) transmittersGWR b t d t l b idlGWR probes mounted on external bridles
Current Aramco PracticesA St d d• Aramco Standard:
“GWR is the preferred liquid level and liquid-liquid i f l l h l f b hinterface level measurement technology – for both process and ESD applications. Other level measurement technology may be used if GWR is not easu e e t tec o ogy ay be used G s otsuited to the application. “
• Yanbu Export Refinery Project – Joint venture withYanbu Export Refinery Project Joint venture with ConocoPhillips:
“Guided wave radar (GWR) is the selectedGuided wave radar (GWR) is the selected measurement technology. This has been reflected on the P&IDs.”