WashTrac(TM) - a tank cleaning monitoring system

Saab Marine Electronics and Scanjet Tankcleaning are now introducing a new innovative tank cleaning monitoring system. WashTrac will enhance the tank cleaning operations onboard tankers in the future.

In 1997 Saab Marine Electronics aquired 50% percent of the shares in Scanjet Tankcleaning. That investment has already started to generate positive returns. With the joint development of WashTrac, a new dimension has been added to the co-operation between Saab Marine and Scanjet.

Scanjet has extensive knowledge of tank cleaning procedures and operation of tank cleaning machines onboard tankers. That combined with Saab Marine's expertise in control and monitoring of cargo and ballast operations has resulted in this new system.

Each Scanjet tank cleaning machine will be equipped with a sensor that detects when the machine is running. The sensors will be connected to the Saab TankRadar gauge situated on that particular tank. The Saab TankRadar gauge will process the signals coming from the tank cleaning machines and the status will be transferred to the Saab TankRadar Work Station via the Level Unit. On the Work Station the following information will be available;

  • Operating Status of Tank Cleaning Machines

  • Start/Stop Alarm of Tank Cleaning Machines

  • Operation and Prewash Data Logging on printer

  • Overall Running Time of Tank Cleaning Machines

  • Tank Cleaning Machine Service Intervals

    By connecting sensors that measure temperatures and pressures in the tank cleaning lines to the Saab TankRadar system, the following information will be available for the operator;

  • Cleaning Fluid Pressure Monitoring and Alarm

  • Cleaning Fluid Temperature Monitoring and Alarm

  • Cleaning Fluid Consumption

  • Tank Cleaning Cost Calculation

    MARPOL 73/78 (1994, 1995 amendments) stipulates that a prewash has to be performed after the cargo has been discharged. Port authorities do inspections to ensure that the prewash procedures are followed. With WashTrac it is possible to print out a record from the tank cleaning operation with start, stop and total running time of the tank cleaning machines. With such a record in hand there will be no discussion on whether the prewash has been performed correctly or not.

    WashTrac provides the operator with a tool that will give him better control of his tank cleaning operations then today's means. A better efficiency when tank cleaning can result in shorter turn around times for the ship and thus resulting in more profit for the ship owner.

    (WashTrac is a registered Trade Mark)