Issue link: https://geospatial.trimble.com/en/resources/i/1415432
www.tankstoragemag.com/awards Recognising and rewarding excellence in the storage sector HOSTED BY BOOK YOUR TICKETS NOW www.tankstoragemag.com/awards 26 MARCH 2019 I FLOATING PAVILION, ROTTERDAM a purely mechanical energy buffer provide a perfect solution; for example, incorporating a spring motor that generates the torque required to operate the valve into a safe position when the power goes off. AUMA's FQM fail safe unit, for example, provides ESD with full independence from electric power. Fireproof housings Additional safety considerations may call for actuators that can continue to operate even when engulfed in fl ames. Actuators equipped with a fi re-resistant enclosure that meets standards such as UL 1709 remain functional at external temperatures of 2000˚F (1100˚C) for 30 min. Closing valves at the heart of the fi re shuts off the fl ow of fl ammable liquid that would otherwise feed the fi re. Resisting climate and corrosion Tank farm actuators often need to withstand decades of salt-laden atmospheres, very high or very low temperatures, and high humidity (Figure 6). They should preferably be rated to IP68 to keep out humidity and dust. Excellent corrosion protection is equally important to ensure a long service life. AUMA actuators, for example, are equipped with a highly resistant two-layer powder coating which has passed stringent corrosion tests. The actuators are TÜV-certifi ed and meet the requirements of the highest corrosivity category C5-M according to ISO 12944-6. Actuators mounted below ground level face the special risk of fl ooding by heavy rain or fi refi ghting water – conditions that already indicate an emergency. Special actuator versions designed for continuous underwater use withstand full and prolonged submersion without problems. Conclusion Modern electric actuators provide the reliability and the advanced automation functionalities necessary to operate tank farms both safely and economically. They are sophisticated devices with powerful diagnostics and data-logging to aid condition-based predictive maintenance. DCS integration using open-standard fi eldbus technology offers the fl exibility required to control large numbers of actuators over long distances. Precise valve positioning ensuring exact fl ow control can be achieved using variable-speed actuators. The choice of safety features includes separate ESD inputs, mechanical fail safe solutions, functional safety certifi cation, and fi reproof housings. Finally, many tank farm projects are highly international in scope: actuators may be specifi ed in one country, mounted to valves in a second country and installed on site in a third. An actuator manufacturer with a worldwide sales and service network can ensure that fully trained and accredited service technicians are available at every point along the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) chain, providing local support wherever in the world the company is operating.