Never too hot for Saval

Designed to automatically detect and extinguish fire at the incipient stage, the system is mounted on the roof of the tank. The system, which is non-electrically operated, can also be installed while in service and works on the principle of arresting chain reaction.

The extinguishing agent:
CF3I is a fluoromethane compound, colourless and odourless with a vapour density of 6,9 times that of air. It is stored as a liquefied gas and is super-pressurised with nitrogen for more expelling energy.

Human Safety:
CF3I has a low order of acute toxicity and is a suitable agent for use in unoccupied areas and for streaming applications such as on floating roof tanks.

Environment:
CF3I has zero ozone depletion potential and the shortest atmospheric lifetime of all halon replacements.

Extinguishing mechanism:
CF3I’s mechanism method of extinguishing fires is active and primarily based on interruption of the chain reaction in the combustion area of the so-called “negative” catalytic action.

Fast acting:
CF3I is a very efficient fire suppression agent with even better characteristics when compared to the banned halons.

Safe for equipment:
CF3I is electrically non-conductive and non-corrosive, so it is safe to use even on electrically-charged equipment. It leaves no particulates to damage equipment and requires no cleaning up after a release.

Space and weight efficient:
CF3I systems on storage tanks with floating roofs require only a limited area and the weight of the storage vessels with instrumentation is the lowest of all available types of protection systems.

Technical description:
The Saval CFI system is a fully-prefabricated system and requires limited manpower for installation on the tank roof. Each storage tank has one or more independent systems (called sections), depending on the size of the tank. Each section consists of a circular pipe of a determined maximum length that is installed in the rim seal area between the tank shell and the roof, and which is connected to a storage vessel containing the clean agent CF3I. Glass bulb-activated sprayers made of corrosion-resistant materials and platings are located at intervals along the pipe. The distribution pipe is permanently connected to, and pressurised by, the storage vessel. The storage vessel is designed to exact specifications and is externally treated with high quality protective coating. Each storage vessel is provided with a contents level switch and a pressure switch. These switches are connected to intrinsically safe supervising loops in order to comply with international safety rules. When the level switch or the pressure switch is activated, a “trouble alarm” will be given.

When both switches are activated simultaneously, this will create a “fire alarm” signal which is transferred to a central post. When a fire occurs, its heat causes one or more of the sprayers to open, thus delivering the extinguishing agent directly onto the fire area – and it is extinguished even before it is spotted. The combination of simple design and continuous supervision makes the Saval CFI system the key to real safety in floating roof tank storage facilities.

Engineering:
Saval has supplied and installed CO2-, Halon-, clean agent- and dry powder systems all over the world for more than 40 years. During this period Saval has become a specialist in fire extinguishing systems, and the research and field experience gained has been used to develop and improve system quality and reliability. For every application, the Saval team will offer a custom-designed system.

Quality assurance and quality control:
Saval has an integrated quality control system in accordance with the Lloyd’s of London-certified international standard ISO 900. This approval represents the total commitment of the entire organisation, not only in the production process but also for design, administrative procedures and after-sales services.

Playing a key role

LAS (Liquid Automation Systems) plays a key role in the accurate level and flow measurement of petroleum products. Founded in 1992, it has evolved into a multi-disciplined enterprise offering solutions across the complete fuel and chemical logistics distribution chain, including the receipt of crude oil at import terminals, the storage and handling at depots and terminals, and the control systems required for consumers and users of fuel.

With headquarters in Jet Park, Boksburg – adjacent to OR Tambo international Airport – and various other offices in Southern Africa, LAS presently employs around 100 engineers, technicians and support staff. While primarily based in South Africa, LAS also actively conducts business in most sub-Saharan African countries.

LAS’s innovative approach of integrating the best-of-breed international technologies with in-house developed products allows the company to tailor solutions for the African market.

“Our customers need to monitor the fuel that they receive, their stock levels, and also monitor the fuel that is pumped from their tanks. In order to operate efficiently in the petrochemical industry, every drop of fuel has to be accounted for,” says Lenie Coetzee of LAS.

She says LAS is able to assist its customers to achieve these objectives by offering its Integrated Fuel Management systems that include the following features:
• Monitoring inventory levels with tank gauging equipment;
• Track bulk stock movements, receipts, transfers and disposals;
• Track bulk vehicle and asset refuelling;
• Prevent fraudulent product dispensing with radio frequency identification devices (RFID) tagging and authorisation control;
• Static and dynamic leak detection in storage tanks;
• Product verification, preventing cross-contamination in consuming assets;
• Transaction Audit Trail and Cost code allocation for every transaction;
• Sales and purchase orders linking with your accounting or Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system;
• Transaction exports to your accounting and ERP system;
• Reporting, consumption, exception reports, product reconciliation, and more.

LAS not only supplies the equipment, but is involved throughout the implementation of the project and the maintenance of the equipment, long after the project has been executed.