Maritronics partners with Honeywell in providing some of the best ship gauging systems in the UAE. Read to know more about Honeywell Marine CIU.
What is an Automatic Tank Gauge (ATG)?
An automatic tank gauge (ATG) is an electronic device, whose basic function is to monitor the fuel level in the tank, leakage during fixed intervals. It can also tell the tank operator what is going on inside the tank like the fuel level, volume and temperature, water level and volume, high and low fuel level warnings etc.
How Automatic Tank Gauges Work
An ATG uses sensors in each tank or compartment to measure fuel and water levels. Each probe consists of a long rod with sensors. The position of the floats tells the ATG console how much fuel and water are present in the tank. The probe rod also has thermistors to measure the fuel temperature.
A console is typically located inside the facility building and can include a display, a keypad, a printer, status lights, and a beeper that signals alarm conditions. An ATG system may also be connected directly to a computer.
Honeywell’s Marine CIU
Honeywell’s Marine Communication Interface Unit (MCIU) is a centralized communication interface that compiles and processes all the ship’s tank critical measurement parameters and feeds them to the cargo management system.
The system functions on a truly digital platform capable of easy instrument integration coupled with a “plug and play” sensor exchange. The CIU is independent of the ship system and immune to network issues. Honeywell’s MCIU provides savings of at least one man-day during system integration of the tank gauging.
Features of the Honeywell Marine CIU
The marine CIU is a data concentrator and processor for up to 32 tanks (equipped with EMx40 FMCW radar gauges) and 112 additional analogue sensor inputs, in a 19” cabinet. It calculates and displays parameters such as levels, volumes, temperatures, pressures.
The Marine CIU communicates with all sensors onboard, calculates the volume and sends the resultant data to the ship system, including CargoBoss, Load Computer, and the Integrated Control and Monitoring System (ICMS). Safe and redundant communication is ensured with the use of the RS485 Modbus RTU protocol or Ethernet Modbus TCP/IP, thereby also guaranteeing perfect interoperability.
Complete System Integration
Together with the EM540 radar gauge, the T901 pressure and temperature sensors, the CT801 electro-pneumatic level gauge, the PL3700X pressure sensors, the Marine CIU makes a complete system for cargo, ballast and service tank monitoring.
Tankers and FPSO ships are vulnerable to imbalance. The Marine CIU gauging system is the fundamental tool for seafarers to monitor the ship balance continuously. It also ensures effective ballast management.
Benefits of Using Honeywell MCIU
Maritronics has been partnering with Honeywell to provide automatic tank gauging systems in UAE. Maritronic engineers recollect the benefits of installing MCIU in tanks and FPSO ships.
Speeding up the commissioning and startup activities at the shipyard.
Maximizing uptime and improving safety and efficiency.
Lowering the cost of ownership.
Ensuring reliable and stable system performance.
Saving maintenance efforts, time and money.
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