Highest accuracy for loading viscous bitumen

Previously, the amount of bitumen filled into the tank cars was determined using a truck scale and another type of Coriolis flowmeter. Due to the outgassing processes in highly viscous bitumen, however, this older Coriolis flowmeter showed measuring errors of up to 8% as compared to the truck scale. Since the flow measurement point is operated system-dependently on both the discharge side and intake side of a pump, outgassing processes are the norm due to pressure fluctuations.

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The bitumen application made it necessary to search for a flow measuring technology (i.e. Promass Q 500) that ensures the greatest loading accuracies for viscous fluids and is not sensitive to process pressure and gas content fluctuations.
Another requirement, based on the need for better plant availability, was to enable all measured data to be saved, evaluated and retrieved using a web-based cloud solution.

In place of the original Coriolis flowmeter – which had provided flawless measurement results for bitumen that was not outgassing – a Promass Q 500 was installed specifically for the bitumen loading station:
– Measurement is not dependent on fluctuations in process pressure and temperature
– Excellent performance for business transactions, e.g. custody transfer and/or invoicing
– Patented “Multi-Frequency Technology” (MFT) for reliable measurement of fluids with gas entrainment or microbubbles

For web-based data retrieval and evaluation using the cloud, Endress+Hauser developed a specially tailored IIoT software solution:
– Worldwide access to all measured data of current or prior completed loading processes
– Evaluation options, e.g. trend analyses of process and/or quality parameters (mass, volume, density, temperature, etc.)
– Heartbeat Technology for reliable detection of changes in the process and/or device, e.g. through cavitation, buildup or corrosion

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