HOUSTON TERMINAL PUSHES AUTOMATION
Recently Houston Fuel
Oil Terminal Company,
the biggest heavy oil
tank terminal on the US Gulf
Coast, launched their new
business system which
optimises operations and
provides improved customer
service. It enables their
customers to use web-based
consoles to place orders, and
schedule dock space and
product movements.
"One important advantage
with the new business
management system is that
the customer can get highly
reliable inventory readings
based on ±1/16 inch accurate
level data from the Saab
Rosemount tank gauging
system" says Clarence Jean,
Vice President, Engineering &
Construction. "Our customers
entrust their valuable assets
to us and it is a substantial
benefit for them that they
know exactly how much they
have available for blending or
shipments at any given point
of time."
Saves money
The new computer system will
not only save money for
Houston Fuel Oil but also for
their customers by
streamlining business
transactions and improving
visibility of the scheduling of
ship and barge arrivals, as
well as the associated
unloading, blending, and
storage.
Reliable and highly accurate
tank gauging data is essential
for efficient filling and
emptying operations. The
plant uses both in-line and intank
blending. In both cases
continual on-line tank level
and volume data are used to
control and monitor the
blending. Gauging reliability is
also a key safety factor during
advanced operations like
loading several tanks on a
ship at the same time.
