API Spring 2008p g

GUIDED WAVE RADAR GUIDED WAVE RADAR ARAMCO’S EXPERIENCESARAMCO’S EXPERIENCES

A. ChenA. Chen

AAramco Services Companyramco Services Companyp yp y

Molten Sulfur Molten Sulfur –– Berri Gas Plant Berri Gas Plant

Background:Background:gg

Bubbler system Bubbler system Blockage of Sensing LinesBlockage of Sensing LinesBlockage of Sensing LinesBlockage of Sensing LinesInaccurate ReadingsInaccurate ReadingsDriftingDriftingT t l M lf tiT t l M lf tiTotal MalfunctionsTotal Malfunctions

Twin ProbesTwin ProbesTh ll l d d i i l i i h Th ll l d d i i l i i h The parallel conductor design is less sensitive than The parallel conductor design is less sensitive than the concentric coaxial. The “open” design also allows the concentric coaxial. The “open” design also allows more accurate measurement where more accurate measurement where coating / buildcoating / build--ggup are possibleup are possible. A film coating has little effect on . A film coating has little effect on performance. However, bridging of material performance. However, bridging of material between the rods or buildbetween the rods or build--up on the spacers can up on the spacers can between the rods or buildbetween the rods or build--up on the spacers can up on the spacers can cause improper measurement and should be avoided. cause improper measurement and should be avoided.

Test Plan:Test Plan:

Evaluation Period (6Evaluation Period (6--12 months)12 months)

Comparison to Hand DippingComparison to Hand Dipping

End of Evaluation:End of Evaluation:

Minor BuildMinor Build--UpUp

Housing CorrosionHousing Corrosion

PerformancePerformanceffLevel Reading Comparison (Eclipse Vs. Hand Dipping)

70

50

60

70

30

40

50

evel

(inc

hes)

Eclipse Reading

Hand Dipping

10

20

L

0

Date

Ecl ipse Reading 54 63 37 37 43 62 51 31 42 52 62

Hand Dipping 55 63 38.25 37.5 45 61.25 52.25 32 43 53.5 62.75

8/ 5/ 00 8/ 6/ 00 8/ 7/ 00 8/ 8/ 00 8/ 9/ 00 8/ 10/ 00 8/ 11/ 00 8/ 12/ 00 8/ 13/ 00 8/ 14/ 00 8/ 15/ 00

Date

End of EvaluationEnd of Evaluationff

End of EvaluationEnd of Evaluationff

Vacuum Bottom Service

Temp. = 376.6 Deg.C

Pressure = 50 mm hg abs

Viscosity: increases rapidly if

temperature drops slightly

dK Value = 1.4 - 2

Traditional Level Instruments

Displacers

Magnetostrictive

DP (Remote Seal)

RF Capacitance

RadarRadar

Nuclear

GWR Design

Single rod version

High temperature transmitter( +400°C )( +400 C )

Two-wire Transmittero e a s e

Works for dk = 1.4

Installation & Commissioning

Installation:Steam tracing and insulation to

measure true vacuum bottom level

Commissioning:False Echo Suppression Adjustment

GWR Performance

Before After

Summary

GWR is a reliable level measurement for vacuum bottom application

Nuclear technology should not be considered unless all technologies fail to meet the grequirements.

GWR Applications pp

• Uthmaniyah Gas Oil Separation PlantOil/ l i i t f i d ltOil/emulsion interface in desalterReplaced internal displacer, external displacer, and wet leg D/P cellKrohne BM-100 (4–wire) transmitterInstalled on external bridle

• Ras Tanura RefineryCaustic/disulfide oil interface level in Merox unitReplaced displacer and capacitance probeKrohne BM-100 transmitter

GWR Applications pp

• Shedgum Gas PlantS CSlug CatcherKrohne BM-102 (loop powered)

• Shaybah Gas Oil Separation Plant - 4 All level measurement except oil-water

finterface level and package equipmentFoundation Fieldbus (FF) transmittersGWR b t d t l b idlGWR probes mounted on external bridles

Current Aramco PracticesA St d d• Aramco Standard:

“GWR is the preferred liquid level and liquid-liquid i f l l h l f b hinterface level measurement technology – for both process and ESD applications. Other level measurement technology may be used if GWR is not easu e e t tec o ogy ay be used G s otsuited to the application. “

• Yanbu Export Refinery Project – Joint venture withYanbu Export Refinery Project Joint venture with ConocoPhillips:

“Guided wave radar (GWR) is the selectedGuided wave radar (GWR) is the selected measurement technology. This has been reflected on the P&IDs.”

Th k YThank You