KR20130056656A - System for monitoring tank of floating marine structure and method for monitoring tank of the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A tank monitoring system for a floating offshore structure and a monitoring method thereof are provided to independently monitor the detected data of each tank by collecting the detected data from controllers connected to all kinds of sensors installed in each tank. CONSTITUTION: A tank monitoring system for a floating offshore structure comprises multiple tanks(21,22,23,24), sensors(211,221,231,241), multiple controllers(212,222,232,242), communication interfaces(C), and a central control device(30). The multiple tanks are installed in the floating offshore structure and stores cargo. The sensors are respectively installed in the tanks to detect the state of the cargo stored in the tanks. The controllers are respectively installed in the tanks and process and transmit data detected by the sensors. The communication interfaces are connected to the controllers. The central control device collects the detected data of each tank from the controllers through the communication interfaces and transmits the collected data to a screen. [Reference numerals] (211,221,231,241) Various sensors; (212) First controller; (222) Second controller; (232) Third controller; (242) Fourth controller; (31) Main controller

Description

SYSTEM FOR MONITORING TANK OF FLOATING MARINE STRUCTURE AND METHOD FOR MONITORING TANK OF THE SAME

The present invention relates to a tank monitoring system for a floating offshore structure and a monitoring method thereof, and more particularly, sensing data for each tank by collecting sensing data through a communication interface from a controller connected to various sensors installed in each tank. The present invention relates to a tank monitoring system of a floating offshore structure capable of monitoring and a monitoring method thereof.

Natural gas is transported in the form of gas through land or sea gas piping or liquefied in the form of liquefied natural gas (LNG) or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) It is stored on the transport and transported to the remote consumer. Liquefied natural gas is obtained by cooling natural gas at cryogenic temperatures (approximately -163 ° C), and its volume is reduced to approximately 1/600 of that of natural gas, making it well suited for long-distance transport through the sea.

LNG transports for loading LNG on land with the LNG loaded on land, or LNG RV (Regasification for loading LNG on natural gas) Vessel includes a cryogenic storage tank (often referred to as a 'hold') of liquefied natural gas.

In recent years, demand for floating floating structures such as LNG FPSO (Floating, Production, Storage and Offloading) and LNG FSRU (Floating Storage and Regasification Unit) has been increasing steadily. LNG carrier or LNG RV And a storage tank to be installed.

LNG FPSO is a floating marine structure that is used to liquefy natural gas produced directly from the sea and store it in a storage tank and, if necessary, to transfer the LNG stored in this storage tank to an LNG carrier. In addition, the LNG FSRU is a floating type of floating structure that stores LNG unloaded from LNG carriers in offshore sea, stores it in a storage tank, vaporizes LNG if necessary, and supplies the LNG to the customer.

As such, in order to store and transport a liquid cargo such as LNG in a cryogenic or low temperature state, it is important to maintain the temperature of the liquid cargo and to analyze the temperature distribution in real time.

Typically, LNG carriers contain four to five LNG storage tanks, with about 40 temperature sensors attached to each storage tank. Therefore, about 1600-2000 temperature sensors are used in one LNG carrier, and the temperature sensor transmits the measured temperature to the temperature sensing system or central controller.

As shown in FIG. 1, the conventional tank monitoring system 1 includes storage tanks 11, 12, 13, and 14 installed in floating offshore structures to store cargo therein, and storage tanks 11 and 12. , Data acquisition devices 112, 122, 132 for receiving sensing data measured from various sensors 111, 121, 131, and 141 installed at the sensors 13, 14, and 14, for example, a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, and a level sensor. 142 and monitoring terminals 113, 123, 133, and 143 connected to the data acquisition devices 112, 122, 132, and 142, respectively, to display sensing data of the corresponding tank.

The conventional tank monitoring system 1 includes first and fourth sensors 111, 121, 131, and 141 located far from the first to fourth sensors 111, 121, 131, and 141 installed in the first to fourth tanks 11, 12, 13, and 14. Fourth data acquisition devices 112, 122, 132, and 142, for example (DAC: Data Acquisition Card), are connected by wiring.

The conventional tank monitoring system 1 connects a plurality of sensors installed in the first and fourth data acquisition devices 112, 122, 132, and 142 and the first to fourth tanks 11, 12, 13, and 14, respectively. Explosion proof devices (115, 125, 135, 145) are provided between the wiring to prevent the source of the explosion.

Accordingly, the conventional tank monitoring system 1 requires a large amount of explosion-proof devices because the explosion-proof device is installed for each wire connected to each of the plurality of sensors installed for each tank.

In addition, the conventional tank monitoring system 1 is connected to a monitoring terminal for displaying the sensing data for each tank in order to monitor the state of the cargo contained in the tank, thereby increasing the unit cost of the system.

In addition, the conventional tank monitoring system 1 receives the sensing data measured from the sensors installed in the first to fourth tanks 11, 12, 13, and 14, respectively, to the first and fourth data acquisition devices 112, 122, 132,. Since it is received at 142 and simply displayed on the monitoring terminal, it is difficult to determine the abnormality of the sensor.

In addition, the conventional tank monitoring system 1 is connected to the first and fourth data acquisition devices 112, 122, 132, and 142 to display the first to fourth monitoring terminals 113, which display the state of cargo stored in the tank. As 123, 133, 143 are connected by wiring, a large amount of wiring is required.

An object of the present invention, the tank monitoring system and the method of monitoring the floating offshore structure capable of monitoring the sensing data for each tank by collecting the sensing data in the central control unit through a communication interface from the controller connected to each of the various sensors installed for each tank In providing.

According to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object, a plurality of tanks installed in the floating offshore structure, storing the cargo therein, and the state of the cargo installed in each of the plurality of tanks received in the tank Sensors for sensing, corresponding to each of the plurality of tanks, a plurality of controllers for processing and transmitting the sensed data detected from the sensors, and a communication interface communicatively connected to the plurality of controllers, A tank monitoring system for a floating offshore structure is provided that includes a central control unit for collecting tank-specific sensing data from the plurality of controllers through a communication interface and transmitting the collected sensing data to be displayed on a screen.

The central controller is connected to the main controller for requesting data to the plurality of controllers and transmitting the sensed data collected within a predetermined time from the plurality of controllers, the main controller and the communication interface, and from the main controller. It is preferable to include a monitoring terminal for receiving the transmitted sensed data to display on the screen.

The main controller may include a memory for storing identification information identifying the plurality of controllers, a requesting unit for requesting data through the communication interface common to the plurality of controllers, and a schedule in response to the data requested by the requesting unit. A determination unit which determines whether the sensing data is received within a time period, a transmission unit which collects the received sensing data and transmits the received sensing data to the monitoring terminal when the sensing data is received within the predetermined time as a result of the determination of the determination unit; As a result of the determination of the determination unit, if the detection data is not received within the predetermined time, it is preferable to include a notification providing unit for providing a notification information for notifying the failure of the sensor connected to the controller not received to the monitoring terminal.

In addition, the tank monitoring system of the floating offshore structure according to the present invention preferably further comprises an explosion-proof device installed in the wiring between the main controller and the plurality of controllers.

The communication interface is preferably canvas (CAN BUS).

The sensing data preferably includes at least one of the temperature, pressure and level of the cargo stored in the tank.

In addition, according to another embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of tanks installed in the floating offshore structure, storing the cargo therein, and sensors installed in each of the plurality of tanks to detect the state of the cargo contained in the tank A monitoring method of a tank monitoring system, comprising: requesting data through a communication interface to a controller installed corresponding to each of the plurality of tanks, and determining whether sensed data is received within a predetermined time in response to the requested data And if the detection data is received within the predetermined time, as a result of the determination of the determining step, collecting and transmitting the received sensing data to a monitoring terminal, and detecting the result within the predetermined time. If no data is received, the controller connected to the unreceived controller Provided is a monitoring method of a tank monitoring system, comprising providing notification information indicating a failure of a sensor to the monitoring terminal.

In addition, according to another embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of tanks installed in the floating offshore structure, storing the cargo therein, and sensors installed in each of the plurality of tanks for sensing the state of the cargo contained in the tank And a plurality of controllers corresponding to each of the plurality of tanks and configured to process and transmit sensed data sensed by the sensors, a communication interface communicatively connected to the plurality of controllers, and the communication interface. A central controller for collecting sensing data for each tank from the plurality of controllers and transmitting the collected sensing data to be displayed on a screen; and a plurality of explosion-proof devices respectively installed in wirings between the central controller and the plurality of controllers. A tank monitoring system of a floating offshore structure is provided.

According to the present invention, there is an effect that the sensing data can be monitored for each tank by collecting the sensing data from the controller connected to various sensors installed in each tank through the communication interface.

In addition, according to the present invention, since the explosion-proof device is installed between the main controller and the controller for receiving the sensing data from the sensor installed in the tank, the number of explosion-proof devices can be reduced compared to the conventional tank monitoring system.

In addition, according to the present invention, by receiving the sensing data for each tank in the main controller to transmit to the monitoring terminal through the communication interface, the number of monitoring terminals can also be reduced.

In addition, according to the present invention, since it is connected to the canvas which can communicate with a plurality of controllers, it is possible to reduce the unit cost by simplifying the wiring and facilitate the maintenance.

1 is a view for explaining a conventional tank monitoring system,
2 is a view for explaining a tank monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention,
3 shows data flow in a canvas based tank monitoring system, and
4 is an operation flowchart illustrating a monitoring method of the tank monitoring system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

2 is a view for explaining a tank monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the tank monitoring system 2 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of tanks 21, 22, 23, and 24 that accommodate cargo therein, and a plurality of tanks 21, 22, 23, and 24. A plurality of controllers (212, 222, 232, 242) for receiving the sensing data for each tank from the various sensors respectively installed in the) and the central control unit 30 for integrally controlling the plurality of controllers (212, 222, 232, 242) ) And a communication interface (C) communicatively connecting a plurality of controllers (212, 222, 232, 242).

Herein, the communication interface C is a CAN (Controller Area Network) bus (BUS), and the first to fourth controllers 212, 222, 232, and 242 are connected in parallel by two twisted pair cables. In this way, the information exchange is smoothly exchanged with each of the controllers is processed in the priority order. The canvas (C) is resistant to noise by using two twisted lines and has its own error control function, which has high reliability of data transmission.

The plurality of tanks 21, 22, 23, and 24 are storage tanks for storing cargo therein, and may be first to fourth storage tanks 21, 22, 23, and 24 in this embodiment. The cargo stored in the storage tank may be liquefied natural gas (eg cryogenic LNG, low temperature LPG), liquefied carbon dioxide, liquefied nitrogen, or oil. Furthermore, the cargo stored in the storage tank may be ballast water. One kind of cargo may be stored in the first to fourth storage tanks 21, 22, 23, and 24, or different kinds of cargo may be stored.

The first to fourth storage tanks 21, 22, 23, and 24 described above are installed in a floating offshore structure, and various sensors 211, around the first to fourth storage tanks 21, 22, 23, and 24 are installed. 221, 231, and 241 are respectively provided. Various sensors 211, 221, 231, and 241 include sensors for measuring the state of the cargo contained in the tank, that is, temperature, pressure, and level.

In the present specification, a floating floating structure means a structure including both a storage tank for storing a liquefied gas such as LNG or LPG and an oil storage tank for storing oil, (LNG transport), LNG RV (LNG Regasification Vessel), as well as OIL FPSO, LNG FSRU (Floating Storage and Regasification Unit), as well as LNG FPSO (Floating, Production, Storage and Offloading) .

The first to fourth controllers 212, 222, 232, and 242, which are connected to various sensors for measuring the state of the cargo stored in the first to fourth storage tanks 21, 22, 23, and 24, respectively, transmit sensing data to the communication interface. (C), i.e., processed according to the can standard, and transmitted to the central controller 30, that is, the main controller 31 through the communication interface (C). The first to fourth controllers 212, 222, 232, and 242 include A / D converters for converting analog signals into digital signals.

The central controller 30 receives the main controller 31 for controlling the first to fourth controllers 212, 222, 232, and 242 and tank-specific sensing data collected by the main controller 31 on the screen. The first and second monitoring terminals 32 and 33 are displayed. In this embodiment, it is described that two monitoring terminals are installed, but one monitoring terminal can be sufficiently implemented.

The main controller 31 and the first and second monitoring terminals 32, 33 are connected via a communication interface C.

In addition, the main controller 31 requests data from the first to fourth controllers 212, 222, 232, and 242 that receive sensing data for each tank, and determines whether the sensing data has been received within a predetermined time in response to the request. Therefore, if the sensing data is not received within a certain time, it can be diagnosed as a sensor failure connected to the controller that did not receive the sensing data.

Referring to FIG. 3, the main controller 31 transmits a request message to the first to fourth controllers 212, 222, 232, and 242 in the data request packet structure through the communication interface C. Each controller has its own unique identification. Therefore, when requesting data of a specific controller, the identification information of the corresponding controller is loaded and transmitted.

In detail, the first to fourth controllers 212, 222, 232, and 242 receive the request message from the main controller 31 through the canvas C in common, and the ID value included in the request message is the ID value of the first controller. If it is equal to and transmits the sensed data measured from the various sensors, that is, pressure sensor, temperature sensor and level sensor to the main controller 31 through the communication interface (C).

When transmitting the sensed data, the first to fourth controllers 212, 222, 232, and 242 transmit a message to the main controller 31 through the canvas C in a data packet structure. The ID bit designates an ID of the main controller 31 to receive data, for example, 'MCU0000', and the sensing data is loaded with the data bit.

The first to fourth controllers 212, 222, 232, and 242 transmit identification data of the main controller 31, for example, 'MCU0000', to which the sensed sensing data is received. As shown in FIG. 3, the identification information of the first controller 212 is 'MCU0001', the identification information of the second controller 222 is 'MCU0002', and the identification information of the third controller 232 is 'MCU0003'. And, the identification information of the fourth controller 242 is shown as 'MCU0004', but is not necessarily limited thereto.

When the data packet carrying its ID value is transmitted from the first to fourth controllers 212, 222, 232, and 242, the main controller 31 of the central controller 30 receives the data packets and receives the first and the first packets. 2 Display on the screen of the monitoring terminals 32 and 33. In this case, the first monitoring terminal 32 displays the sensed data collected from the first and second controllers 212 and 222 on the screen, and the second monitoring terminal 33 displays the third and fourth controllers 232,. The sensing data collected from 242 may be displayed on a screen, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

The first to fourth controllers 212, 222, 232, and 242 transmit identification data of the main controller 31, for example, 'MCU0000', to which the sensed sensing data is received. As shown in FIG. 3, the identification information of the first controller 212 is 'MCU0001', the identification information of the second controller 222 is 'MCU0002', and the identification information of the third controller 232 is 'MCU0003'. And, the identification information of the fourth controller 242 is shown as 'MCU0004', but is not necessarily limited thereto.

The main controller 31, which has received the sensing data including its identification information from the first to fourth controllers 212, 222, 232, and 242, can easily recognize which sensor the received sensing data is. The sensing data to be transmitted to the first and second monitoring terminals 33 may be classified and transmitted.

In addition, the main controller 31 transmits the sensing data received from the first to fourth controllers 212, 222, 232, and 242 to the first and second monitoring terminals 32 and 33 through the canvas C. The first and second monitoring terminals 32 and 33 display the sensing data on the screen for each of the plurality of tanks installed in the floating offshore structure. Accordingly, the operator can monitor the change of cargo stored in each tank.

In addition, if the sensing data is not received within a certain time after requesting data from the first to fourth controllers 212, 222, 232, and 242, the main controller 31 diagnoses an abnormality of a sensor connected to the controller that has not been received. do. That is, based on the identification information and the sensed data included in the data packet collected by the main controller 31 to diagnose the abnormality of any sensor measured by which controller, and the notification information that informs the diagnosis result, that is, what sensor abnormality May be provided to the first and second monitoring terminals 32 and 33. In this case, similarly, when an abnormality of a sensor connected to the first and second controllers 212 and 222 is provided, notification information is provided to the first monitoring terminal 32 and an abnormality of a sensor connected to the third and fourth controllers 232 and 242. In this case, notification information may be provided to the second monitoring terminal 33. Accordingly, the operator can easily recognize which sensor is abnormal, and can quickly cope with a sensor having an abnormality.

On the other hand, the tank monitoring system of the floating offshore structure according to the present invention is the first to fourth controllers 212, 222, 232, 242 measured data measured from various sensors installed in the storage tank, in particular the storage tank disposed in the dangerous zone ) And the first to fourth explosion protection devices 213, 223, 233, and 243 are installed in the wiring between the main controller 31 and the main controller 31. Therefore, the number of explosion-proof devices can be much reduced compared to the conventional tank monitoring system in which explosion-proof devices are installed for each wiring between each sensor and the data acquisition device. Such explosion-proof devices are referred to as intrinsically safe explosion-proof devices, and can cause a source of explosion.

4, the main controller 31 further includes a memory 311, a requester 312, a determiner 313, a transmitter 314, and a notification provider 315. It includes.

The memory 311 stores unique identification information for identifying the first to fourth plurality of controllers and notification information for notifying sensor abnormalities.

The request unit 312 requests data from the first through fourth controllers 212, 222, 232, and 242 through the common canvas C. FIG. The request message transmitted to the first to fourth controllers 212, 222, 232, and 242 includes identification information of each controller.

When requesting data from the first to fourth controllers 212, 222, 232, and 242, it is stable by passing through the explosion-proof devices 213, 223, 233, and 243 installed on the wiring between the main controller 31 and the controller. As a result, data may be requested to the first to fourth controllers 212, 222, 232, and 242. Likewise, the first to fourth controllers 212, 222, 232, and 242 may transmit sensed data to the main controller 31 through the explosion-proof devices 213, 223, 233, and 243.

The first to fourth storage tanks 21, 22, 23, and 24 managed by the first to fourth controllers 212, 222, 232, and 242, respectively, have various sensors around them, that is, pressure sensors, temperature sensors, and level sensors. Are installed respectively.

The determination unit 313 determines whether the sensing data has been received within a predetermined time in response to the data requested by the requesting unit 312. The sensing data then includes the pressure, temperature and level of the cargo contained in each tank.

As a result of the determination by the determination unit 313, when sensing data is received within a predetermined time after requesting data, the transmission unit 314 transmits the sensing data collected for a predetermined time through the communication interface C to the first and second monitoring terminals ( 32, 33).

As a result of the determination by the determination unit 313, if the sensing data is not received within a certain time after requesting the data, the notification providing unit 315 identifies which controller and which sensor is identified from the identified controller. Provides notification information informing about sensor failures in. For example, in the case of the main controller which receives three types of sensed data for each controller, it can be quickly identified according to the type of received sensed data. Which controller can be sufficiently identified by the identification information given to each controller.

Referring to the monitoring method of the tank monitoring system having such a configuration as follows.

First, the main controller 31 of the central controller 30 allows the power of the power supply unit, not shown, to be applied to the first to fourth controllers 212, 222, 232, and 242 connected through the communication interface C.

The main controller 31 requests the sensing data to the first to fourth controllers 212, 222, 232, and 242 through the canvas C (S11). That is, the main controller 31 transmits a request message to the first to fourth controllers 212, 222, 232, and 242 in a data request packet structure.

Each controller that receives the request message from the main controller 31 through the canvas C determines whether the ID value included in the request message is the same as its ID value. The sensor detects the cargo condition of the tank and transmits the detected data to the main controller 31 through the canvas C. At this time, the ID of the main controller to receive the data is designated in the data packet to be transmitted and detected in the data bit. The data is loaded and transmitted through the canvas (C).

The main controller 31 determines whether the sensing data has been received within a predetermined time after requesting the sensing data (S13).

As a result of the determination in step S13, when the sensing data is not received within a predetermined time after requesting the sensing data, the main controller 31 provides the first and second notification information through the canvas C to inform the controller of which sensor is disabled. Provided to the second monitoring terminal (32, 33) (S17).

As a result of the determination in step S13, when the sensing data is received within a predetermined time after requesting the sensing data, the main controller 31 displays the sensing data for each tank collected for a predetermined time through the canvas C through the first and second monitoring terminals. The data is transmitted to (32, 33) (S15).

That is, the main controller 31 may extract the sensing data included in the data packet received through the canvas C and process the screen information to display the extracted sensing data on one screen.

The first and second monitoring terminals 32 and 33 output tank-specific sensing data received through the canvas C on one screen. Accordingly, the operator can monitor the state of the stored cargo for each tank received through the canvas (C), and can quickly respond to any abnormality.

Using the error detection function of the communication interface C itself, the main controller 31 requests sensing data from a plurality of controllers 212, 222, 232, and 242 via the communication interface C, or vice versa. The stability and reliability at the time of receiving the sensed data from the plurality of controllers 212, 222, 232, 242 can be improved.

The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same way may be varied in many ways. Such modifications are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

2: tank monitoring system
21, 22, 23, 24: first to fourth storage tank
211, 221, 231, 241: various sensors
212, 222, 232, and 242: first to fourth controllers
213, 223, 233, 243: first to fourth explosion-proof devices
30: central controller 31: main controller
32, 33: first and second monitoring terminal
C: communication interface

Claims (8)

A plurality of tanks installed in the floating offshore structure and storing cargo therein;
Sensors installed in each of the plurality of tanks for detecting the state of the cargo accommodated in the tank,
A plurality of controllers corresponding to each of the plurality of tanks and configured to process and transmit sensing data sensed by the sensors;
A communication interface communicatively coupled to the plurality of controllers;
And a central controller configured to collect sensing data for each tank from the plurality of controllers through the communication interface, and transmit the collected sensing data to be displayed on a screen. The method according to claim 1,
The central control unit
A main controller for requesting data from the plurality of controllers and transmitting sensed data collected within a predetermined time from the plurality of controllers;
And a monitoring terminal connected to the main controller through the communication interface and receiving sensing data transmitted from the main controller and displaying the detected data on the screen. The method according to claim 2,
The main controller
A memory for storing identification information identifying the plurality of controllers;
A request unit for requesting data through the communication interface common to the plurality of controllers;
A determination unit which determines whether the sensing data has been received within a predetermined time in response to the data requested by the requesting unit;
A transmission unit for collecting the received detection data and transmitting the received detection data to the monitoring terminal when the detection data is received within the predetermined time as a result of the determination of the determination unit;
And a notification providing unit providing notification information indicating a failure of a sensor connected to an unreceived controller to the monitoring terminal when the detection data is not received within the predetermined time as a result of the determination of the determination unit. Tank monitoring system. The method according to claim 1,
And a explosion-proof device installed in the wiring between the main controller and the plurality of controllers. The method according to claim 1,
And the communication interface is a canvas (CAN BUS). The method according to claim 1,
And said sensing data comprises at least one of temperature, pressure and level of cargo stored in said tank. A monitoring method of a tank monitoring system, comprising: a plurality of tanks installed in a floating offshore structure and storing cargo therein; and sensors installed in each of the plurality of tanks to sense a state of cargo contained in the tank.
Requesting data through a communication interface to a controller installed corresponding to each of the plurality of tanks;
Determining whether sensing data has been received within a predetermined time in response to the requested data;
As a result of the determining in the determining step, if the sensing data is received within the predetermined time, collecting and transmitting the received sensing data to a monitoring terminal;
And as a result of the determining in the determining step, providing the monitoring terminal with notification information indicating a failure of a sensor connected to the unreceived controller when the sensing data is not received within the predetermined time. Monitoring method. A plurality of tanks installed in the floating offshore structure and storing cargo therein;
Sensors installed in each of the plurality of tanks for detecting the state of the cargo accommodated in the tank,
A plurality of controllers corresponding to each of the plurality of tanks and configured to process and transmit sensing data sensed by the sensors;
A communication interface communicatively coupled to the plurality of controllers;
A central control unit which collects sensing data for each tank from the plurality of controllers through the communication interface and transmits the collected sensing data to be displayed on a screen;
And a plurality of explosion-proof devices respectively installed in wirings between the central control device and the plurality of controllers.

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