Overview
Our integrated operator interface cabinet modernizes your existing tank gauging infrastructure with Xenon’s standalone upgrade. Our pre-engineered integrated operator interface cabinets are designed with an intuitive operator interface, robust communications, and reliable power.
Key Features
– Compatible with all Varec interface components
– Dual-monitor 19” touchscreen panel PC with included mouse and keyboard
– Serial device server and gigabit Ethernet switch with fiber-optic connections
– Remote workstation with mirrored monitor, mouse, and keyboard
– 1.2kVA UPS providing 1 hour of full backup power
– Redundant 48VDC power supplies for tank power
– Cabinet circulation fans with air filtration
– Individually isolated system components with LED indicating fuses
– Active health monitoring controller with:
– UPS health and battery status
– Enclosure temperature
– UPS bypass switch
Certified for 
Case Study
The Problem
The current tank level monitoring system consists of more than 150 tanks distributed over three different geographical areas of a refinery. At each location, a DOS-based PC runs the Varec System IV platform and utilizes nearly 20-year-old TSUs and line driver modems to transmit tank data to the control room via telephone wire. As age and wear render components obsolete or cause failures, replacement parts cannot be obtained and most site personnel are unfamiliar with the archaic infrastructure. As a result, the client has found it impossible to reliably monitor the tank levels at the facility.- Varec TSU
Previous System Components and Features
– DOS-based PC running System IV platform
– 2400 baud line driver modem
The Xenon, Inc. Solution
Tasked with increasing the reliability of and modernizing the existing system, Xenon developed a fully-integrated solution at each location that incorporates the following features:
New System Components and Features
– Varec 8130 RTU
– Dual-monitor 19” touchscreen panel PC with included mouse and keyboard
– Serial device server and gigabit Ethernet switch with fiber-optic connections
– Remote workstation with mirrored monitor, mouse, and keyboard
– 1.2kVA UPS providing 1 hour of full backup power
– Redundant 48VDC power supplies for tank power
– Cabinet circulation fans with air filtration
– Individually isolated system components with LED indicating fuses
– Active health monitoring controller with:
- UPS health and battery status
- Enclosure temperature
- UPS bypass switch
Health Monitoring
To monitor system health, a smart controller notifies users of various trouble conditions such as high temperatures, power supply failure, or UPS in a bypassed state. In the case of moderately high temperatures, the controller will turn on cabinet fans to pull in filtered ambient air but will not alarm, while a redundant temperature switch will alert system users if cabinet temperatures increase to critically high levels. This proactive monitoring allows users to take corrective action, resulting in prolonged life and increased reliability.
Communications
Replacing telephone-based communication with a modern fiber-optic Ethernet highway has resulted in significantly higher transmission speeds and signal quality. The serial device server provides communications with existing and new serial devices and also allows users to control or administer serial components from remote locations via the gigabit Ethernet switch and fiber optic cables. This new Ethernet highway significantly increases network speed and reliability while at the same time enabling additional functionality such as remote desktop access and automatic database backups.
Results
These upgrades will result in overall reduced maintenance costs and outages, increased tank data visibility, and most importantly, lowers the risk of a costly and hazardous tank overfill. The new integrated cabinets with upgraded Varec equipment, redundant and uninterruptible components and health monitoring will provide the facility with a reliable tank monitoring system for many years to come.