Product category:
Telemetry, data acquisition + loggers
News Release from: Lee-Dickens | Subject: Data Concentrator
Edited by the Processingtalk Editorial
Team on 09 December 2003
Lee-Dickens regulates Slovenia natural
gas flow
The latest Lee-Dickens Data Concentrator module is being used in a gas distribution system in Slovenia to collect and forward calculated mass flow data to a SCADA system
Data Concentrators transmit flow data from metering sites The latest Lee-Dickens Data Concentrator module is being used in a gas distribution system in Slovenia to collect and forward calculated mass flow data to a SCADA system
This article was originally published on Processingtalk on 23 May 2003 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Sitewatch data concentrator takes 6 serial inputs
Lee-Dickens has launched the Sitewatch Data Concentrator, for collecting serial data inputs from up to 6 separate collection points - for example PLCs - and combining them into a single memory space
Low cost relative humidity and temperature probes
UK instrumentation specialist Lee-Dickens has released two newly developed relative humidity and temperature probe ranges with a variety of output types available
The Data Concentrators also support web pages.
These can be accessed by browsers, which connect directly to the Data Concentrator.
This allows the mass flow data to be viewed in real time, allowing gas customers to monitor their own gas consumption rates.
Further reading
Lee-Dickens Instrumentation achieves SIL2 rating
Lee-Dickens announce that their range of high quality trip amplifiers and signal converters have in most cases been assessed and awarded SIL2 rating (with a proof test interval of one year)
Next generation SCADA remote terminal unit
The Lee-Dickens Sitewatch MIDI remote terminal units are intelligent microprocessor based devices for monitoring and controlling equipment at remote sites
Multi-channel analogue adder/subtractor
Lee-Dickens are to manufacture a four channel analogue adder/subtractor for like-for-like replacement of products in existing applications.
The Slovene gas network has two connections with foreign grids: Austria in the northeast, and Italy in the west.
These connections allow Slovenia to be a part of the comprehensive European gas network.
The state-owned natural gas company, Geoplin, is responsible for importing and the transport of natural gas throughout Slovenia and across the border to Croatia.
A main pipeline carrying natural gas from Russia crosses the Austrian border, and travels 269km across Slovenia to join a pipeline at the Italian border, carrying Algerian gas.
A Compressor Station and main branch line transports gas to Croatia.
A further 500km of distribution lines supply Geoplin users within Slovenia.
During a recent upgrade to the SCADA System at the main compressor station, a new pilot scheme was introduced that allows Geoplin customers (local gas supply companies) to monitor their own gas flow rates, enabling them to reduce flow rates at peak times and thereby reduce supply costs.
To comply with the European Gas Deregulation Laws, the SCADA system includes an Accounting and Customer Billing System.
Data from remote metering sites across Slovenia serving between 200 and 300 customers is fed back to this station at Geoplin headquarters in Ljubljana using one of two methods.
At larger metering sites, where Remote Terminal Units (RTUs) are installed, data is input into the system from existing Mass Flow computers.
At smaller sites, ten Data Concentrators supplied by Lee-Dickens are used to collect Mass flow data from a Mass Flow Computer comprising pressure, temperature and flow devices, and a Volume Corrector.
The Lee Dickens Data Concentrators can connect to up to three pairs of Mass Flow Computers (and therefore three customers) and send data back every hour via GSM to the central server at the main compressor site.
This data is logged and can then be accessed by authorised maintenance personnel at the individual gas companies using an internet browser.
This enables them to monitor their own gas flow rates and for an engineer to adjust flow rates accordingly.
This is especially important as customers are charged increased tariffs during peak periods such as winter mornings and Geoplin customers are set a maximum demand limit during these periods.
By monitoring during high usage periods, customers can check that they are not in danger of breaching this maximum demand limit and that they can ensure they are not charged the higher tariffs, by simply reducing flows.
The Data Concentrators were the natural choice for the Main Contractor because they are less costly than RTUs and extremely reliable in the field.
The Data Concentrators, which in this case are 24 Volt DC powered, are mounted in tough fibreglass enclosures alongside each of the metering facilities and fitted with either PSTN or GSM modems, as required.
As the project grows and more customers come on line, there is a planned requirement for a further 200 to 300 Data Concentrators over the next two years. Request a free brochure from Lee-Dickens ...
• Lee-Dickens: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Processingtalk email newsletter
• Processingtalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
