Generally, Custody Transfer type measurements take place under, metrologically speaking, close to ideal conditions. The liquids are clean, free of air or gas bubbles, the connecting piping is always completely filled and its location is protected from harmful influences.
Yet, also under quite contrasting metering conditions, large quantities of liquids are being traded. One such an example is bunker fuel for large ships travelling around the globe. Both the properties of the liquid itself, as well as the application – emptying tanks, switching delivery piping, air intake and purging – make this a metrologically and technically challenging application. Here the quote “it takes more than a good meter to make a good measurement” takes full effect.
Third-party certification
Emerson has launched the Micro Motion Certified Marine Bunker Measurement Solution, the first mass-based measurement system with third-party certification, for heavy fuel oil (HFO) bunkering. The launch of the certified system is "groundbreaking," Jesper Rosenkrans, Business Development Manager, Maersk Oil Trading, told a press seminar at Nor-Shipping on Wednesday. Rosenkrans stressed that the independent third-party verification of the flow meters, in a system that is completely tamper proof, would help build trust and more acceptance for using them to verify delivered bunker quantity.
Marine Bunker Measurement Solution
The Certified Marine Bunker Measurement Solution includes a Micro Motion ELITE® Coriolis meter, Series 3000 transmitter with Marine Bunker Transfer Package, and bunker delivery ticket printer. Installed on a vessel, barge, or at a terminal, the Certified Marine Bunker Measurement Solution monitors the bunker delivery, reports final totals, and provides a ticket that can be used for custody transfer. It is a certified bunker custody transfer system which meets (inter)national standards. The solution is capable of handling the density and viscosity variation inherent in HFO and was certified by NMi.
Certification by NMi
Normally (parts of) a Type Evaluation investigation can be performed under laboratory conditions. However, in this case there simply is no laboratory representative of bunkering conditions. In short, it meant our engineers had to be present at real bunkering operations and, under the pressure of captains wishing to leave port, perform the necessary tests. With limited “windows of operation”, this entire course took several months to complete.
In the end, the coordinated efforts of all stakeholders, Emerson, ship owners and NMi, recently resulted in the issue of the bunkering approval for Emerson’s measuring system. A feat of which all parties involved can be proud.
