Product category:
Level and tank contents instrumentation
News Release from: Hycontrol | Subject: Bostik Overfill protection
Edited by the Processingtalk Editorial
Team on 31 March 2008
Overfill protection so Bostik don't come
unstuck
A multi-point alarm overfill protection system on latex and bitumen based storage tanks by level measurement specialists Hycontrol is playing a crucial safety role at the Bostik manufacturing plant
The site at Saltney near Chester, formerly owned by Laybond Products, manufactures leading brand flooring adhesives, roofing systems and general building products Bitumen is a key ingredient in many of the products produced on site, but its properties dictate that it is delivered and stored at elevated temperatures
This article was originally published on Processingtalk on 20 Dec 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
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The Bostik investment in the Hycontrol overfill safety systems endorses their steadfast commitment to ensuring the safety of their employees, tanker drivers and last, but not least, the environment.
Hycontrol have extensive experience in the supply, commissioning and maintenance of dedicated safety systems for hot bitumen, and have worked closely with the Refined Bitumen Association (RBA) to define their industry recognized recommendations on the design of failsafe overfill protection systems for bitumen tanks.
The Bostik safety systems are based around the Hycontrol RF admittance level switches and ATEX vibrating probes.
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Together with their associated alarm panels, these act as overfill protection safety level switches to prevent hazardous overfilling during product loading from delivery tankers.
In the event of a possible overfill problem, audio and visual alarms warn drivers and operators of the potential danger, allowing ample time to shut down the fill process.
The versatile RF admittance switches can be used on liquids, solids, slurries, pastes, granules, powders and pellets in high temperature, high pressure and corrosive environments.
A key design feature is their ability to totally ignore product build-up on the sensing probe, making them ideal for products such as hot bitumen.
Their unique design utilises a protective insulation electrode between the conventional main electrode and the grounding sleeve, which enables the built-in electronics to distinguish between coatings and actual product.
There are four RF switches installed on the vessels in the Bitumen Cutback Tank Farm connected through to a four point alarm panel.
(Cutback bitumen is bitumen whose viscosity has been reduced by the addition of a suitable volatile diluant).
A further four RF switches and their associated twin alarm panels are fitted to a bank of four bitumen tanks which feed the manufacturing processes.
A single RF switch and single point alarm panel protects the latex storage tank.
Again the capability of the RF switch to ignore product build-up is vitally important for this notoriously difficult to measure sticky product.
Finally, a solvented bitumen tank is fitted with an ATEX intrinsically safe HYCTF high temperature vibrating probe and special hazardous area single point alarm panel with an integral ATEX Namur barrier.
Specialist electrical panel design and build is a key part of the Hycontrol total level measuring system capabilities and the company claim this versatility sets them apart from most of their competitors, ensuring customers receive comprehensive tried and tested systems specifically designed for their application.
The Hycontrol involvement with such projects doesn't end once the equipment is installed and commissioned: their on-going comprehensive service and support contracts are designed to ensure the integrity of such systems is maintained, especially with regard to safety issues.
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