Materials System Specification

34-SAMSS-318 19 October 2005

Automatic Tank Gauging Equipment
Instrumentation Standards Committee Members
Al-Awami. L.H., Chairman
Tuin, R.R., Vice Chairman
Al-Dakhil, T.K.
Al-Dhafeeri, F.T.
Al-Khalifa, A.H.
Al-Madhi, F.A.
Alqaffas, S.A.
Bogusz, Z.J.
Ell, S.T.
Fadley, G.L.
Falkenberg, A.R.
Gawargy, N.E.
Grainger, J.F.
Jumah, Y.A.
Mahmood, B.
Qarni, M.A.
Trembley, R.J.

Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards

Table of Contents

1 Scope............................................................. 2
2 Conflicts and Deviations................................. 2
3 References..................................................... 2
4 Environmental Conditions.............................. 3
5 Level Gauge Design....................................... 3
6 Temperature System...................................... 5
7 Performance Characteristics.......................... 5
8 Remote Receiving Equipment........................ 6
9 Electrical Requirements................................. 6
10 Inspection and Testing................................... 6

Previous Issue: 31 December 2002 Next Planned Update: 1 June 2010

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Primary contact: James L. Sprague on 874-6414
Document Responsibility: Instrumentation 34-SAMSS-318
Issue Date: 19 October 2005
Next Planned Update: 1 June 2010 Automatic Tank Gauging Equipment

1 Scope

This specification defines the requirements for Automatic Tank Gauging Equipment
using either one of the following principles:
1) Float type, spring motor driven
2) Displacer type, servomotor driven.

Excluded from this specification are all other types of level instruments.

2 Conflicts and Deviations

2.1 Any conflicts between this specification and other applicable Saudi Aramco
Materials System Specifications (SAMSSs), Engineering Standards (SAESs),
Standard Drawings (SASDs), or industry standards, codes, and forms shall be
resolved in writing by the Company or Buyer Representative through the
Manager, Process and Control Systems Department of Saudi Aramco, Dhahran.

2.2 Direct all requests to deviate from this specification in writing to the Company or
Buyer Representative, who shall follow internal company procedure SAEP-302
and forward such requests to the Manager, Process and Control Systems
Department of Saudi Aramco, Dhahran.

3 References

References noted below are a part of this SAMSS and shall be per a specific edition or
the latest edition whichever is specified.

3.1 Saudi Aramco Reference

Saudi Aramco Engineering Procedure

SAEP-302 Instructions for Obtaining a Waiver of a
Mandatory Saudi Aramco Engineering
Requirement

3.2 Industry Codes and Standards

American Petroleum Institute

API BULL 2509B Shop Testing of Automatic Liquid Level Gauges
API MPMS 7.1 Static Temperature Determination Using
Mercury-in-Glass Tank Thermometer

National Fire Protection Association

NFPA 70 National Electrical Code

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Document Responsibility: Instrumentation 34-SAMSS-318
Issue Date: 19 October 2005
Next Planned Update: 1 June 2010 Automatic Tank Gauging Equipment

4 Environmental Conditions

4.1 Temperature

Instruments and control systems shall operate continuously under the following
ambient air temperatures without any degradation of the manufacturer's
guaranteed performance:
Indoor Air Outdoor Outdoor
Conditioned (2) Sheltered (1)(2)(3) Unsheltered (2)(3)
Maximum 35°C 55°C 65°C
(95°F) (131°F) (149°F)
Minimum 10°C 0°C 0°C
(50°F) (32°F) (32°F)
Notes:
1) "Sheltered" refers to permanent, ventilated enclosures or buildings, or permanently fixed
sunshades with a top and three sides.
2) For instruments which dissipate internal heat and are installed in custom engineered enclosures
(e.g., enclosures not included in the original manufacturer's temperature certification), an additional
15°C shall be added to the above maximum temperatures. An example, for "indoor air
conditioned" installation, the equipment must perform at 35 + 15 = 50°C. Similarly, for the "outdoor
unsheltered" case, the equipment shall be designed for a maximum operating temperature of 65 +
15 = 80°C.
3) For the outdoor installations only, the designer can take credit for forced or passive cooling to
eliminate or reduce the 15°C heat rise. For example, if vortex coolers are used, the heat removal
capacity of the coolers may be subtracted from the generated heat. No more than 15°C reduction
in temperature will be given as credit. The designer shall substantiate his claim by providing the
support data and calculations.

4.2 Humidity
Indoor humidity design basis shall be 20% to 80% relative humidity.
Outdoor design basis shall be 5% to 95% relative humidity (non-condensing).

4.3 Unless otherwise specified, field device LAN data concentrators, modems,
operator workstations and associated peripheral equipment shall be installed in
air-conditioned buildings.

5 Level Gauge Design

5.1 Float Type, Spring Motor Driven

5.1.1 Float shall be guided to allow only vertical displacement.

5.1.2 The gauge shall be provided with a built-in digital level indicator.

5.1.3 Float type gauges shall be provided with built-in operational checking
capability to allow manual rotation of the tape storage drum to raise and
release the float a short distance, 25 mm minimum, in order to check the
system for repeatability.

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Document Responsibility: Instrumentation 34-SAMSS-318
Issue Date: 19 October 2005
Next Planned Update: 1 June 2010 Automatic Tank Gauging Equipment

5.1.4 A hand crank for manual lifting of the float to the top position shall be
provided.

5.1.5 In floating roof tank installations, the tape shall not be exposed outside
the gauge pipework.

5.1.6 The gauge system shall be designed to prevent damage to the spring
motor, due to rapid coiling as a result of tape or wire breakage.

5.1.7 Digital encoders shall be optical type. Brush type digital encoders shall
not be used.

5.2 Displacer Type, Servomotor Driven

5.2.1 The motor control system shall be provided with an adjustable

turbulence integration circuit.

5.2.2 The remote indicator shall incorporate a warning device or blinding

mechanism to indicate measurement error or to prevent wrong level
readout in case of power supply failure. On power restoration, the gauge
shall return to read the liquid level with no loss of electrical or
mechanical calibration.

5.2.3 The automatic level gauge shall incorporate a built-in local digital level
indicator, mechanically driven by the servomotor.

5.2.4 Displacer type automatic tank gauges shall be provided with two motor
limit switches internally wired to the servomotor control circuit in order
to limit the travel of the displacer in both directions.

5.2.5 The servomotor system shall be provided with a circuit to enable remote
raising of the displacer for repeatability checks and for lifting of the
displacer to the top position for maintenance, calibration, or removal.

5.2.6 For top mounted gauges, the gauge enclosure shall be two separate
compartments, the measuring drum compartment, and the electrical
equipment compartment. These compartments shall be sealed from each
other.

5.2.7 Flame arrestor type shaft sealing is acceptable on floating roof tank
installations which require vented gauges.

5.2.8 Displacer sizing shall be the responsibility of the manufacturer.

5.2.9 Digital encoders shall be optical type. Brush type digital encoders shall
not be used.

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Document Responsibility: Instrumentation 34-SAMSS-318
Issue Date: 19 October 2005
Next Planned Update: 1 June 2010 Automatic Tank Gauging Equipment

5.2.10 On low temperature applications, -7°C and below, the vendor shall
provide temperature compensation.

6 Temperature System

6.1 Spot and averaging temperature elements shall be resistance temperature

detectors (RTD) rated, 100 ohms at 25°C (+77°F). The RTD system
measurement accuracy shall be ± 0.5°C (± 1.0°F) or better. RTD element
configuration, thermowell material, and dimensions shall be as specified on the
ISS.

6.2 Averaging temperature elements shall include a specified number of RTD

elements of graduated lengths housed in a common flexible metal thermowell.
The system shall conform to API MPMS 7.1.

6.3 The temperature conversion shall be performed by means of a solid state analog
to digital converter. Null balance servo operated bridges are not acceptable.

The digital coded temperature signal should be transmitted to the remote

receiving equipment over the same transmission circuits as the level
measurement signals.

7 Performance Characteristics

7.1 Float Type, Spring Motor Driven

7.1.1 The automatic tank level gauge and associated transmission system shall
be such that the control room indication has an installed accuracy equal
to or less than 1.6 mm from the actual level in the tank.

7.1.2 Local level indicator incorporated in the transmitter shall have the same
accuracy, i.e., equal to or less than 1.6 mm.

7.1.3 Level alarm switches shall be field adjustable.

7.2 Displacer Type, Servomotor Driven

7.2.1 The automatic tank level gauge and associated transmission system shall
be such that the remote indication has an absolute system accuracy equal
to or less than ± {0.03 + 0.0014L(f)} inches, where L(f) is the level
range in feet, or ± {0.7 + 0.11 L(m)} mm, where L(m) is the level range
in meters. This accuracy shall be referred to a standard displacer size.
The standard displacer shall be the largest standard size that will
minimize errors caused by changes in relative density of a standard

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Document Responsibility: Instrumentation 34-SAMSS-318
Issue Date: 19 October 2005
Next Planned Update: 1 June 2010 Automatic Tank Gauging Equipment

liquid. It shall be a referenced to a standard liquid with a relative density

of 0.8.

7.2.2 The local level indicator incorporated in the transmitter shall have an
accuracy equal to or less than 1 mm.

7.2.3 Level alarm switches shall be field adjustable.

7.2.4 Wave integration time, i.e., time to inhibit the servomotor response to
transient level fluctuations, shall be adjustable between a minimum range
of 2 to 10 seconds.

7.2.5 Displacer vertical speed shall be 5 mm/s.

8 Remote Receiving Equipment

8.1 The display shall be digital with adequate digits to provide the specified level
measurement range and accuracy.

8.2 The system shall have a self-diagnostic capability to indicate a fault or a failure
in the system.

9 Electrical Requirements

9.1 Field mounted transmitters and associated digital encoders, temperature

converters, multiple RTD selectors, and related equipment shall be powered
from remote receiving tank gauging equipment without requirement for separate
power supply connections in the field. Motive power for servo type gauges may
be supplied locally. No data transmission shall be powered from this local
power source.

9.2 All components installed in the tank or in contact with the process shall be
grounded to the gauge housing.

9.3 All system wiring shall meet the requirements of NFPA 70, National Electrical
Code (NEC).

9.4 A local isolation switch shall be provided at the gauge head to interrupt all
power for maintenance and servicing.

10 Inspection and Testing

10.1 Floats shall be leak tested at 1.5 times the maximum absolute operating pressure
for 5 minutes.

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Document Responsibility: Instrumentation 34-SAMSS-318
Issue Date: 19 October 2005
Next Planned Update: 1 June 2010 Automatic Tank Gauging Equipment

10.2 Tank gauges shall be tested for the following requirements, as applicable:
a) Level and temperature transmission accuracy.
b) Local level readout accuracy.
c) Level alarm switches for proper operation.
d) Level measurement immunity to liquid specific gravity variations.
e) Wave integration time adjustment (immunity to liquid turbulence).
f) Multi-element temperature switching operation.
g) Temperature A/D conversion accuracy.
h) Servomotor speed.
i) Repeatability check: Manual or servomotor lifting of level sensor and
subsequent release to obtain the same level measurement.
j) Requirements per API BULL 2509B: "Shop Testing of Automatic Liquid
Level Gauges".

Control room multiple tank systems and individual units shall be subject to a
complete functional test in accordance with requirements in this SAMSS and
any additional requirements specified in the Purchase Order.

Revision Summary
19 October 2005 Revised the "Next Planned Update". Reaffirmed the contents of the document, and
reissued with no other changes.

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