Design of an overfill prevention system to be used in oil trucks; a case study of Kenya Pipeline Company, Eldoret Depot, Kenya

Abstract

Oil transportation from the oil depot, has for a long time been used by rail and road, which requires a physical filling in the trucks compartments. Whenever the system is unable to prevent overfilling of the compartment, for a number of reasons- human or machine failures, there is an uncontrolled flow of oil that leads to losses to many parties. It is therefore in the best interest of the oil vendor, and the pipeline company to find a solution to this problem. Overfill prevention of trucks in Kenya does not exist yet. Loading stations rely on accuracy of calibration of the metering gauge and the compartments. This study aims at designing an overfill protection device to avoid overflow of oil in trucks served by the Eldoret depot. The viability of different overfill control techniques was analyzed, fabrication, assembling and testing of the working of a model system was done. Designing a system that can be used in oil trucks, warn of overfill, and possibly shut off the oil flow before it becomes costly to the parties involved. This study proposes the use of a level sensing device that can either be programmed or relayed, to actuate a counter measure i.e. shut off the flow and warns of it by visible and audible alarms that will be well-placed and labeled. The working of the system was tested where it involved the design of a model to simulate the system, a float switch and relay circuit was used to which the pump was connected to. The float switch was used as an indicator of the level of petroleum in the compartment where it was drilled through the compartment at a level determined through calculation, such that it will only be used when the pre-existing measure has failed, hence serving the primary purpose of this project. When the safe level is exceeded, the float switch completes the circuit and a relay actuates the pump to stop. As this happens, the buzzer and red led are switched on which acts as the alarms. Therefore overfill is prevented and warning is given thereof.