In the Refinery or Petrochemical plant, the production facilities consist of a variety of rectification towers, reaction units, pipelines, storage tanks, and shielded rooms. This kind of environment may block wireless communication signals. In addition, only communication equipment complying with explosion-proof standards can be used in the production area. Special requirements for Refinery safety and reliability means big challenges to the communication network at oil refineries and chemical plant. Alait company offers integrated solution – COMRAD ENTERPRISE, including private LTE network (pLTE) with PTT voice and video, data, dispatch, positioning, monitoring, industrial task management, network interconnectivity, and security functions. COMRAD ENTERPRISE solution ideally fit tough Refinery requirements to the modern communication system.
Advanced technologies used in COMRAD ENTERPRISE help Oil and Chemical companies improve productivity, whilst reducing cost through digitalization and informatization. With a full portfolio of innovative convergence communication solutions, Alait provides tailored solutions that meet diverse operational requirements.
Alait solutions enhance monitoring capabilities and improve communication efficiency, and as a result, improve the overall Refinery safety, productivity and environment protection.
The Challenge
Refinery Communication and management system usually consists of few separate subsystems (like PMR, SCADA, ERP and other IT-solutions) which can not be integrated due to old and not compatible technologies.
Existed wireless communication systems have No Live Video and high speed data functions which are necessary for work during crises situation and for regular work (for example in industrial task management or augmented reality (AR).
The refinery company can have communication problems due to old communication technology like PMR system with it’s limited functionality and compatibility with modern IT solutions. PMR system coverage is not good enough very often, especially indoor and at remote areas. Narrow band frequency resources are limited, and the channel utilization rate is low, which makes real time video and high speed data not possible.
As refinery users’ working environment contains flammable and explosion liquids intrinsically safe communication equipment should be implemented. Subscriber terminals which compliant with ATEX standard, MILSTD 810G and IP67/IP68 Protection Rating should be in use. It will enhance staff/equipment safety and ensure the best performance even in the toughest and risky conditions.
Complex communication and management system based on advanced technology with high level redundancy and reliability (Mission Critical level), with necessary radio coverage and capacity, with the possibility to integrate existed PMR system, other applications (SCADA, ERP) and IT-solutions, with possible expansion and upgrade should be developed at Refinery to guarantee trouble free, continuous work, even at peak loads or crises situation. The system should have dispatch functions and not authorized access control.
The Solution
COMRAD ENTERPRISE is Alait’s complex solution for Refinery provides strong mobile communications using pLTE (Private LTE) system with additional functionality for industrial use: PTT (Push-To-Talk) Voice and Video, Comprehensive Dispatch, Monitoring, Industrial Task Management, staff and vehicles fleet control (AVL, Geo Fencing and Tracks), record and playback all the calls and events in the system.
COMRAD ENTERPRISE system can be docked with existed PMR, Telephone and IT systems and can be used as the Platform for other sub-systems integration. COMRAD ENTERPRISE system architecture lets adjust it to specific Refinery needs.
COMRAD ENTERPRISE module structure and flexible licensing which lets choose optimal system configuration, guarantee easy expansion, and upgrade in future.
COMRAD ENTERPRISE pLTE system consist of optimized for use in industrial private network LTE CORE, LTE Radio Access Network (RAN) with big choice of eNBs (LTE Base Stations). The most suitable eNB can be chosen (work in any of regular LTE frequency bands, with necessary power and capacity, for outdoor and indoor installation). In addition various subscriber terminals with the accessories are part of the COMRAD ENTERPRISE system.
Optimized COMRAD ENTERPRISE LTE CORE (3GPP compliant) has only required in the Refinery communication system functions and lets to eliminate not necessary functions and so reduce the costs (OPEX and CAPEX).
PTT Voice and Video (based or COMRAD CORE), Industrial Task Management (based on COMRAD TASK), Monitoring subsystems are included into COMRAD ENTERPRISE solution. PMR and SIP Gateways can be included into COMRAD ENTERPRISE solution if the integration with existed radio or telephone networks is necessary. It is possible to have “mixed” user groups consisted of pLTE subscribers and PMR users in case of the COMRAD ENTERPRISE integration with existed PMR system. COMRAD ENTERPRISE Dispatcher will work with both kind of users in such a case.
Modern LTE technology lets Refinery have all legacy PMR functionality plus many additional functions based on high speed data transmission (live HD Video, Data, Augmented Reality and other).
Own COMRAD ENTERPRISE System (located at the customer site and 100% under control) and it’s Sub-Systems special architecture and exchange protocol, all main elements redundancy, lets Refinery build there communication and management system with highest level of reliability (during regular work as well in case of crises situation). The system will be compliant with Mission Critical requirements which is extremely important for complex industrial plant.
COMRAD ENTERPRISE Administrative and Dispatch functions let Refinery control the System itself, as well as control all employees, vehicles, technical equipment and processes on the Plant in best way.
COMRAD ENTERPRISE includes different type subscriber terminals (“radio style” portable and mobile, smartphones and tablets, bodycams and data terminals, to deliver instant PTT voice, real-time video streaming and PTT Video, data transmission for front-line maintenance and managements staff at Refinery or Chemical plant.
Intrinsically safe subscriber terminals and eNBs can be shipped with COMRAD ENTERPRISE solution to Refinery for use in explosion risky areas.
COMRAD ENTERPRISE subscriber terminals are working in different sub-systems (PTT Voice and Video, Industrial Task Management and others) so one device can be used as universal subscriber terminal at the Refinery.
Alait offer to the customers complete solution and it’s possible integration with other communication and IT systems by customer request.
Communication system planning (including radio coverage calculation), system integration, installation, testing, technical training and technical support can be also provided by Alait to the customer in case of request.
Conclusion
Alait with its COMRAD ENTERPRISE helps the Refinery company with multi functional and reliable communications solution based on advanced LTE technology. Alait’s solution help the customers get a safe and efficient operations, incorporating the best work practices to maximize profits, to ensure high level of safety and minimize possible harm to the environment.