Ships Benefit from Intelligent Sensors

Tank gauging systems specialist PSM’s new iCT level pressure and temperature sensors are suitable for all ship sizes and types.

The requirement for increasing amounts of reliable data on board has driven up demand for sensors. One consequence of larger manufacturing volumes has been that sensors have become relatively inexpensive. However, installation costs are another matter, and continue to rise. Today, the cost of installing a level gauging system either as a new build or a retrofit can often exceed the cost of the equipment itself. This is particularly apparent in respect of cable costs and system commissioning.

PSM has launched a new high stability digital level, pressure and temperature sensor with advanced integrated intelligent signal processing and diagnostics. The company claims that, even on smaller ships, 80% of the cable and cabling costs can be saved.

Where conventional systems require a safety barrier for every single level transmitter, the low power digital system enables up to 128 sensors to be used in hazardous locations and supplied from a single safety barrier, with full ATEX certification. This provides a further large cost saving for large ships and tanker cargo systems.  Other devices, such as radar gauges can be integrated directly onto the iCT ATEX loops by virtue of its robust network bus running standard MODBUS RTU. Therefore, PSM can provide a cargo gauging system with far fewer deck components and a much simplified installation. This is particularly beneficial to owners needing to replace or refit existing tankers and products carriers.

PSM has refitted the fuel and ballast tank management system on board the Royal Navy carrier HMS Ocean. The new system gathers level/volume data of all service, operational and aircraft fuel tanks on a common data highway. Comprehensive displays are distributed at operating stations along this network bus, greatly improving the platform’s entire fuel management.

ICT sensors have achieved marine “Type Approval”, ATEX certification for hazardous area location as well as higher level shock tests for military and navy applications.

(www.psm-sensors.co.uk)