Crude oil transport

Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO)

The extracted crude oil is pumped directly into the cargo tanks on board in order to separate gas, oil and water from each other using the principles of gravity. To ensure profitable utilisation of the loading capacities, as well as effective control of the pumps, the level is measured continuously and the limit level monitored.

Continuous level measurement with VEGAPULS 62

Since FPSOs are frequently based on converted oil supertankers, the cargo tanks are reinforced with structural ribs up to 1.5 m high on the floor and on the walls. VEGAPULS 62 with parabolic antenna is particularly suitable for reliable level measurement in the up to 35 m high crude oil tanks. The strong focussing of the radar beam permits a sure measurement all the way to the tank floor, even when the ribs are close together.

Level detection with VEGASWING 63

To ensure that the feed pumps are switched of at the right moment, the limit level is detected by the vibrating level switch VEGASWING 63. Completely independent of the oil consistency, the maintenance-free tuning fork of stainless steel detects the switching point with absolute certainty.