Bulk Tank Control Panel Design

Control Panel Design and Manufacture for Ocean Patriot Semi-Submersible

Monitor Systems were asked by Diamond Offshore Drilling to carry out a bulk tank system survey onboard the Ocean Patriot Semi-Submersible Rig, followed by the replacement of the cement and mud bulk tank control panels and associated sensors, actuators etc.

Above: Both control panels feature easy to follow graphics on reverse printed polycarbonate. An additional perspex door provides maximum protection to all facia instrumentation.

The Ocean Patriot Semi-Submersible has six columns in total with three bulk tanks located in the intermediate port column (PC2) and three bulk tanks in the starboard intermediate column (SC2). Cement tanks are located on the port side and mud tanks are located on the starboard side. Each of the six tanks has four valves, a level sensor and a pressure sensor.

Diamond Offshore Drilling requested that the new cement and mud control panels were based around conventional selector switches and LED indicators along with digital panel meters for simple and efficient operation.

Panels: The new hardware, breakers, interface equipment and field terminals were supplied fitted in the control panel enclosures.

Independent Control Systems: There are two independent systems for control of the bulk tanks, a cement control panel and a mud control panel.

Combining both control units into one master control unit was not a ‘project design’ option, the cement and mud control panels remained independent from each other at the request of the Rig Operator.

Sensors: New TDR sensors were provided to give the operator an accurate level indication in each tank.

Actuators: Replacement proportional actuators were provided to give the operator greater control of the bulk transfer process. cement tanks mud tanks

Cement System: This comprises 3 identical bulk tanks located in the port intermediate column (PC2). The tanks are laid out side by side, with all valves located on the same level at the tank tops with the level / pressure sensors.

Mud System: This is a copy of the cement system, the tank layout is a mirror image of the cement tank setup. The system comprises 3 identical bulk tanks located in the starboard intermediate column (SC2).