Emerson Expands Tank Gauging Software to Include Multiple Platforms

Dubbed Rosemount TankMaster Mobile, the tool provides real-time, secure access to critical tank data to a broader range of stakeholders. It is available now for smartphones, tablets, and computers.

 

A worker using the mobile app. Image used courtesy of Emerson

 

Tank Gauging Systems

Generally speaking, the expression tank gauging refers to the measurement of liquids in bulk storage tanks. Numerous industries use a static measurement of the tank contents to keep a record of products stored and moved into and out of the tank, including oil and gas, petrochemical and refining, chemical, and food and beverage. 

Different instruments and systems are available to companies to perform these measurements, and choosing the correct one is paramount to guarantee the most accurate result.

Data specifications related to the tank size and weight are the most important to consider. Depending on the tank type or mounting options, a particular tank gauge or measurement solution may be more effective than another.

Tank deformations should also be considered, as they can potentially affect the accuracy, reliability, and repeatability of a tank gauging measurement. Finally, different liquids require different gauging systems, as their physical properties can affect both instrumentation and tank measurement capabilities.

 

The Rosemount TankMaster Mobile Software

The Rosemount Tank Gauging System was designed to accurately display level, temperature, and pressure measurements for inventory control, overfill prevention, and oil movement, while also securing efficient operations. 

 

The Rosemount TankMaster Mobile Software is available on laptops, smartphones, and PCs. Image used courtesy of Emerson

 

With the release of its TankMaster Mobile app, Emerson aims to digitally transform the operations of companies utilizing legacy systems. The new software can collect a vast amount of real-time tank gauging data, including level, temperature, water interface level, and pressure.

“To improve their operational performance and make vital efficiency gains, organizations are increasingly looking to make real-time tank gauging data available to a growing number of stakeholders,” commented Per Skogberg, solutions manager with Emerson’s Automation Solutions business. 

The app, offered as an addition to the existing TankMaster software suite infrastructure, can also calculate volume and mass for inventory and custody transfer purposes. In addition, the Rosemount TankMaster Mobile Software can organize tanks in groups, customize displayed tank parameters, and create user groups with different privileges to view tanks and tank parameters.  

“By facilitating secure mobile access to this information, Rosemount TankMaster Mobile provides the opportunity to increase efficiency, drive productivity and improve collaboration throughout the supply chain,” Skogberg added.

The new app is compliant with the international standard IEC 62443-3-3.

 

Enhanced Security Features

The IEC 62443-3-3 refers to the international standards established by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) for industrial automation and control systems (IACS). The document states that IACS security measures should not have the potential to cause loss of essential services and functions, including emergency procedures.

“The primary goal of the IEC 62443 series is to provide a flexible framework that facilitates addressing current and future vulnerabilities in IACS and applying necessary mitigations in  systematic, defensible manner,” the report explains.

The Rosemount TankMaster Mobile Software complies with these guidelines, as it is based on a multiple architecture that separates security zones, and all its transported data is encrypted using the Transport Layer Security protocol. The app is also compatible with two-factor authentication to enable a higher level of security.