cpp – Process technology for the chemical industry 02.2020

cpp
INSTRUMENTATION, CONTROL, AUTOMATION
Thilo Reich, Head of Engineering at Georg Oest Mineralölwerk, on the roof of the storage tanks.
Vega sensors monitor the mixing of oils and keep track of stock levels.
tanks for many years. Although the mixing processes are simple and
the storage tanks are not particularly complex from the point of
view of level measurement and contain no disturbing internals, the
sensors nevertheless have to be robust. Among other things, they
must be able to withstand temperatures of up to 100 °C and in
some areas also meet the requirements for use in potentially explosive
atmospheres. WHG approval is also very important – with Vega
sensors, for example, operators can carry out a function test with
just the push of a button. However, the most important requirement
is: “We need sensors that provide us with reliable measured values
over a long period of time and this is exactly what Vega sensors do,”
says Reich, referring to Vega sensors installed almost 30 years ago
that are still operating flawlessly.
So for him, it’s only logical that Vega sensors have been installed in
almost every one of the approximately 70 tanks. For one thing, they
measure the level in the numerous storage containers, ensuring reliable
inventory monitoring and delivery to customers. And for another,
they protect against tank overfill. About a year ago, new overfill
protection equipment in the form of Vegaswing was installed in
the raw material storage facility. Oest has been very satisfied with
Vega‘s support and service for many years now. Thanks to Plug &
Play, setting up and commissioning Vegaswing is unbelievably easy.
Maintaining a good overview
Inventory monitoring has assumed an important role because the
requirements in terms of delivery times have changed so much.
“On the one hand, we are faced with the challenge of having to
react much faster than before and also deliver widely varying quantities.
And on the other, we have to keep certain products constantly
in stock for some Asian customers. What is more, we have to keep
an eye on the prices in the raw material markets so that we can always
buy our basic raw materials at favourable prices,” says Reich,
explaining the complexities of the task.
Inventory data acquisition, visualisation and delivery planning have
therefore increasingly become an important part of the business.
These are based on automated inventory monitoring. For this, Oest
had relied on Vegalog for many years, but it had become outdated
and was discontinued. Today, the company is supported by Vegamet
and Vega Inventory System (VIS), which allow it to visualise inventory
for pre-planning and control production processes. The sensors
and controllers from Vega collect all measurement data, which Vega
Inventory System then makes available in a form that enables good,
effective planning.
Vega Inventory System reports the need for replenishment fully
automatically and in good time. To this end the software draws not
only on current measurement data from the inventory, but also on
empirical data gathered from consumption history. Analysis and
planning tools enable optimised material requirement, inventory
and delivery planning. Bar charts and tank symbols provide the user
with a constant overview of current stock levels.
Conclusion
Thanks to Vega Inventory System, Georg Oest Mineralölwerk has
quick access to current as well as historical consumption data. The
level values are used as a reference. “Calibrated meters are used
when filling the tank lorries, but the data from the Vega sensors are
very important for comparison. Even the old sensors still deliver
very accurate values.” Managers can view the stock levels at any
time and intervene if necessary. This not only optimises operational
processes, it also enables cost-effective production and inventory
planning. In short: “The service and support we get, as well as the
price-performance ratio and quality of Vega sensors, are simply excellent,”
says Reich in conclusion.
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AUTHOR:
CLAUDIA HOMBURG
Marketing,
Vega
22 cpp 02-2020