Kinder Morgan – Vancouver Wharves Terminal Automation

The Vancouver Wharves terminal was experiencing significant downtime and costs due to the current system requiring a considerable amount of on-site integrator support, lack of level control desired for supervision, and an overly complicated interface for the operators. Matrix PDM Engineering provided a study to assess the system and prepare an approach and implementation strategy to upgrade the facility. Subsequently, design, programming, field technical services, equipment specification, and start-up and commissioning services were provided for the necessary control system upgrade.

The newly designed system increases production up-time by adding reliability and improving system diagnostics. It also allows for system bypass of non-critical interlock with a full audit trail and automatic maintenance reports. This feature allows the facility to continue operations during critical times, while automatically documenting issues that need to be resolved during scheduled down times.

Matrix PDM provided a cost effective solution by integrating and networking together existing older hardware into one new ControlLogix PAC controller. By using existing hardware and developing new software in compliance with Matrix PDM standards, the project team was able to provide a superior system with an abundance of features that fit within the client’s budget.