JP2022165007A - Spreadsheet software for monitoring equipment abnormality in fuel service station - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a low-cost, simple abnormality determination support tool to solve the problem of an "underground tank inventory and leakage inspection tube inspection table," which is a management method for recognizing an external leakage in a fuel service station, in which various factors inherent in the table's numerical values make it difficult to determine an abnormality.SOLUTION: Provided is spreadsheet software capable of creating the "underground tank inventory and leakage inspection tube inspection table," as well as considering an origin of a fluctuation in numerical values of the table.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to spreadsheet software for monitoring device abnormalities such as external and internal leaks at fueling stations.

It is said that the demand for gasoline in Japan is declining at an annual rate of 2%, but according to the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy, there were 28,637 gas stations nationwide as of the end of FY2019. Given this, it is likely that a considerable number of service stations will continue to operate.

On the other hand, refueling stations are obliged to inspect facilities based on laws and regulations. In particular, businesses that have submitted notifications based on the 2003 Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications Ordinance No. 143, Supplementary Provisions, Paragraph 3, Item 2, have issued "Operational Guidelines for Leakage Inspections of Underground Storage Tanks and Mobile Storage Tanks Firefighting Danger No. 33, March 18, 2004)” Attachment 2 “Implementation Guidelines for Leak Detection” is required for leak management.

The specific method for this management is the operation of the “underground tank inventory and leak inspection pipe checklist” in the Petroleum Association of Japan/SS facility safety inspection record book. It is a method of purchasing a booklet that contains information and writing it directly by hand.

Since the booklet is in the form of a ledger that is closed on a monthly basis, if there is a long-term trend, I have no choice but to imagine the numerical trend while flipping through the ledger.

Therefore, there is also a method of using a personal computer to create the same form by oneself in the built-in spreadsheet software, input it, and record it. According to this method, the calculation formulas required for management are incorporated in advance, the calculation results to be evaluated are automatically calculated, and the results can be graphed to display changes over time. Improvement can be expected.

The specific input items for the "underground tank inventory and leak inspection pipe inspection table" are the amount of inventory at the start (A), the amount received from the tank truck (B), and the sales from the weighing machine in the time frame to be calculated. Quantity (C) and inventory at the end (E).

More specifically, A and E enter the underground tank level gauge readings, and B the refill volume unloaded from the tank truck. For C, calculate and input the difference in the accumulated measurement value of the flow meter of the fueling machine. If refueling is performed while A and C or E and C are being read, the amount of refueling is corrected to match the integrated measurement value of the flow meter of the meter at the same time.

The timing of measuring A and E is basically to collect data at the start time and end time of unloading, since the balance of unloading volume and shipping volume is calculated. It is also possible to set in consideration of the form and the attendance form of the manager. In the case of a 24-hour operation, there is no start time and end time, so it is sufficient to set a time when there are few fueled vehicles in advance.

From these input values, the calculated inventory amount (D = A + B - C), the amount of increase/decrease of the day (F = E - D), the cumulative sales volume from the flow meter (G = previous day's G + C), the cumulative amount of increase/decrease (H = Calculate the previous day's H+F).

The numerical value to be evaluated for leakage control is H. That is, the difference between the inventory amount calculated from the inventory amount at the start of work and the inventory amount at the end of work is obtained, and the fluctuation range is evaluated. This evaluation standard is set voluntarily, and the calculation formula of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is provided as reference value information. The calculation formula is "1% (of handling volume) + 130 gallons (approximately 500 liters)".

The above process is performed by installing weighing sensors at the measurement points corresponding to each input item in the "underground tank inventory and leak inspection pipe checklist", centrally collecting measurement data via telecommunication lines, and performing arithmetic processing. A management system is proposed. In addition, a system has been proposed to measure the amount of collected vaporization that is not included in the "Underground Tank Inventory and Leak Inspection Pipe Checklist" and correct it to improve the accuracy of the inventory amount.

JP 2011-149830 JP 2013-43654

Operation of the "Underground Tank Inventory and Leakage Inspection Pipe Checklist" does not require any special equipment other than the minimum equipment necessary for the operation of the refueling station. flow meter), ripples in the oil surface due to unloading and shipping of fuel oil, spontaneous loss due to temperature (density) changes, rise in the liquid level due to long-term accumulation of condensation, tank trucks There are uncontrollable variable factors such as residual oil inside the hatch and inside the hose wall when unloading. For this reason, since the evaluation criteria are voluntarily set, knowledge and experience are required for judging the "underground tank inventory and leak inspection pipe checklist".

More specifically, for example, when H becomes larger than the history, the possibility of leakage increases, but external leakage must be confirmed by inspection tube inspection to confirm oil that has leaked outside the tank. For example, it will be determined that it was due to the influence of mere instrumental error, and considering the above-mentioned error factors, it is assumed that the trend monitoring will be continued for a while longer. In other words, the safety supervisor for dangerous goods will remain uneasy until the entire equipment is overhauled at a cost and confirmed that there are no abnormalities.

In 2014, there was a report of an accident at a certain gas station where kerosene overflowed from a ventilation pipe because kerosene continued to be injected beyond the internal capacity of the underground storage tank without noticing an erroneous indication of the liquid level gauge. there is The point of the cause of the accident was not inadequate management of the "Underground Tank Inventory and Leakage Inspection Pipe Checklist", but whether or not we noticed the erroneous display of the liquid level gauge, which is the data in the table.

In the case of the "Underground Tank Inventory and Leakage Inspection Pipe Checklist", even if there is a failure in the liquid level gauge, there is a possibility of fluctuation due to the amount of unloading from the weighing scale or the tank truck, so the cause can be immediately identified. difficult to identify.

As in prior art documents, a system has been proposed that automates and centrally manages all the measured values of the liquid level gauge that measures the liquid level in the underground tank and the flow meter of the refueling machine via telecommunication equipment. Investment is required to equip all related measuring equipment with telecommunications capabilities. In addition, automation is premised on the soundness of each device, and the cost for ensuring that is increased. Furthermore, while it is possible to eliminate human errors in data handling, it is necessary to be prepared for the accumulation of errors unique to each device.

Some of the fueling stations have been in place for more than 30 years, and the demand for petroleum fuel is on the decline. are subject to strict regulations and management. Therefore, it is desired to propose a more economically rational management tool.

The present invention does not require the introduction of a new management system, and it is possible to check the "underground tank inventory and leak inspection pipe checklist" with the minimum necessary equipment at a refueling station that has been approved for installation. It provides a tool to support judgment.

The minimum necessary management equipment is a POS (point of sale information system) central terminal that manages the cumulative amount of refueling for sales management, a refueling machine (mainly a liquid pump, a check valve, and a flow meter). Telecommunications equipment that transmits the integrated value of the flow meter to the POS, liquid level gauge for underground tanks, and leak detection pipes for underground tanks.

The “Underground Tank Inventory and Leakage Inspection Pipe Checklist” is a mechanism for evaluating the degree of difference between the inventory amount indicated by the liquid level gauge and the calculated inventory amount associated with unloading and shipping of fuel oil. The main focus is on early detection, and if there is a large discrepancy, there is suspicion of external leakage.

If there is a suspicion of external leakage, stop using the facility and thoroughly inspect the underground storage tanks and underground pipes for leakage, which will lead to a definitive judgment. However, if the use of the facility is stopped at a numerical stage where it is difficult to judge, and depending on the situation, construction work that involves scraping the ground will lead to a huge loss unless an abnormality is confirmed. Therefore, for business operators, if there is a tool that can provide more accurate information without high costs, confusion in judgment and costs will be reduced.

Therefore, in the process of creating the "Underground Tank Inventory and Leakage Inspection Pipe Checklist", we conducted trial and error simultaneous analysis processing to grasp changes in each site equipment from the data used, without adding new equipment costs. Realizing the possibility of obtaining information that supports the evaluation of the table, the present invention was made.

The intended means can be implemented using general purpose spreadsheet software on a personal computer.

Specifically, the spreadsheet software programmed with the intended processing is started, and the data for creating the "underground tank inventory and leakage inspection pipe checklist" is entered. Data input is done, for example, in the worksheet of Table 1, and the difference of the input data is calculated on the spot.

If there is no abnormality in the fuel oil handling equipment, the measured quantity data will be the indicated value of the underground tank liquid level gauge and the calculated inventory value displayed by the POS central terminal, unless there is any human intervention. Even if there is a difference between , it should be kept within a certain range of fluctuation. Therefore, by monitoring the trend of the difference in data for each device that corresponds to the same liquid level, if there is a deviation from the daily trend, the possibility of incorrect data input or device abnormality has increased. can judge.

However, since the POS calculation inventory value to be compared with the liquid level gauge that indicates inventory is the value obtained by collecting the cumulative measurement value of the flow meter by telecommunication equipment, it is assumed that there is no abnormality in the collection process. It is in. As a method of ensuring the reliability of this POS calculated inventory value, it is sufficient to compare the value collected by the POS with the read value of the cumulative measurement value of the flow meter.

The advantages obtained by the above method are as follows.
(B1) Does not require large investments.
(B2) Be aware of human error in reading readings from measuring instruments and entering data into personal computers.
(B3) Noticing a suspected device malfunction (B4) Noticing a suspected internal leak

By focusing on differences in daily inspection data and capturing trends in differences between individual instruments that include fluctuation factors, it is possible to monitor the status of equipment at low cost while also diagnosing its soundness, supporting the determination of abnormalities. can be used as a way to

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the facility configuration (suspended type refueling machine) of a refueling station. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the functionality of a spreadsheet that processes fueling station shipment and inventory data. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example for explaining the effect of monitoring.

As a representative example, at a refueling station with the minimum required equipment configuration as shown in Fig. 1, for example, at around 8:30 am after coming to work and around 16:30 before leaving work, the format shown in Table 1 is used as a typical example. Using a recording paper, record the display value of the integrated measurement value of the field flow meter that is collected at the POS central terminal.

Next, read the accumulated measured value of the flow meter of the gas tank meter and the indicated value of the liquid level gauge of the underground tank, and record them in the form of Table 1 above.

The spreadsheet software incorporating the features of the present invention is launched and the readings written in the Table 1 form are entered into the Table 1 form worksheet of the spreadsheet software. When you finish entering the values in the relevant fields, the difference between the meter value and the POS collection value, and the difference between the liquid level gauge indication value and the calculated inventory value will be displayed at that point.

First of all, comparing this difference with the past value is confirmation of an incorrect input. If there is no significant deviation from the previous values, it can be determined that there is no erroneous input.

If there is a refueling person, record the refueling amount, and when entering the numerical value into the spreadsheet software, make corrections so that the POS calculation inventory is recorded at the same time.

On the day when the leakage inspection tube inspection was performed, enter the inspection result.

Based on the entered data, the built-in program automatically displays Table 2, "Underground Tank Inventory and Leak Inspection Pipe Checklist". In the column on the right side of the cumulative increase/decrease rate (H) in the same table, incorporate the calculation formula of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which is the reference value mentioned above.

If two or more tanks are connected to one tank, the input data for each tank is added up for the tanks belonging to it, and the "underground tank inventory and leak inspection pipe checklist" for each tank is created. create.

Moreover, the difference is automatically edited by the built-in program, and a new table like Table 3 is displayed.

Next, the tendency of difference is considered. As an example, assume a situation where the tank inventory difference (liquid level measurement value - POS calculated inventory) of B tank is on the rise. In other words, it is assumed that there is some kind of abnormality in the No. 5 refueling machine system.

Here, when the use of No. 5 refueling machine is stopped, a situation occurs in which the divergence of the tank inventory difference (liquid level gauge value - POS calculated inventory value) stops. (See Figure 3)

The following five items are conceivable as reasons for the increase in the divergence of this tank inventory difference (liquid level gauge value - POS calculated inventory value).
(1-1) Defective liquid level gauge (failure to descend)
(2-1) Poor POS (undercalculated inventory)
(3-1) Incorrect input of quantity received from tank truck to POS (4-1) Leakage of underground tank (5-1) Reverse flow due to crack, opening or non-return valve failure

In order to confirm the presumed cause, the following method is conceivable.
(1-2) When unloading from the tank truck, check if the liquid level gauge is working properly for the amount of unloading.
(2-2) Check the trend of the difference between the weighing instrument (accuracy guaranteed by regular inspection) and the POS value. In addition, perform a test lubrication and confirm that the meter of the measuring device is counting the specified amount.
(3-2) Retroactively collate the "tank truck acceptance delivery slip", "POS purchase input slip", and "inventory management table" to confirm whether or not there is an erroneous input of purchase values to the POS.
(4-2) Check the report of the previous slight pressure test. Check the results of past leakage inspection tube inspections and conduct additional leakage inspection tube inspections. If there is an external leak, the level gauge value will drop as long as groundwater does not mix. If the liquid level gauge value is relatively high, suspect backflow to the tank (internal leakage).
(5-2) If the divergence behavior is restored by resetting the refueling machine, the soundness of the check valve is suspected.

If there is no external leakage, internal leakage will be considered. Since internal leaks are not external leaks from underground storage tanks, it is almost impossible to notice the possibility from inventory leak checklist records.

However, if the analysis focused on the difference, it is possible to obtain information that helps narrow down the problem, such as whether the cause of the abnormality is in the POS instrumentation part, around the meter or pump, or in the liquid level gauge. It becomes possible.

If there is a leak point around the refueling machine, it is assumed that air will enter from that point and create an air pool, and together with the pressure head difference, the accumulated oil in the canopy ceiling pipe will be washed away to the pump side. Therefore, this hypothesis is theoretically valid and increases the validity of taking the next step.

In this way, just by looking at the record of discrepancies between the "liquid level gauge value" and the "POS calculation inventory," the difference data has the potential to be an effective means of monitoring equipment abnormalities. It is significant to add to the external leakage monitoring of "Tank Inventory and Leakage Inspection Pipe Checklist".

In addition, it is meaningful to record the data displayed by devices in a communication relationship for a long period of time, to grasp the behavioral trends, and to be able to browse the trends, because it is possible to grasp the habits of each device. If the long-term trend becomes clear at a glance, it will be easier for multiple parties to share information.

As for the administrative information that needs to be recorded (date, inspector, etc.), it is sufficient that the necessary information is recorded, and there is no particular need to stick to the format. Also, the refueling system of the refueling station does not have to be limited to the suspension type shown in Fig. 1, and the same applies even if the number of refueling ports and the number of tanks are increased.

Although the above embodiment is a form of recording during working hours, as described above, it is also possible to record only once after coming to work. In that case, since the system divides the worksheets by month, the actual inventory quantity (E) at the end of work on the day will be the value of the actual inventory quantity (A) before the start of work on the next day. For the end-of-month value of inventory quantity (E), enter the value of actual inventory quantity (A) before the start of the next month.

In the operation of the "underground tank inventory and leak inspection pipe checklist", in situations where it is difficult to clearly determine that a leak has occurred immediately, the present invention is a low-cost and simple tool that supports the determination of equipment abnormalities. It realizes the provision of

1 Hazardous materials facility management system 2 POS central terminal 3 User terminal (personal computer, spreadsheet software)
4 Refueling machine (volume flow meter, check valve, liquid pump, pulse transmitter)
5 Liquid level gauge 6 Leak test tube 7 Refueling nozzle 8 Underground storage tank 9 Pump room 10 Office 11 Telecommunication equipment

Claims (2)

Integrated amount data of the amount of refueling transmitted by the telecommunication device from the refueling device of the refueling station;
Supply amount data unloaded from the tank truck,
processed calculated inventory data;
and a POS terminal for sales management,
Data read from the indicated value of the liquid level gauge that measures the liquid level in the underground tank,
The integrated data of the amount of lubrication read from the indicated value of the volume flow meter in the lubrication system is
A management system created with spreadsheet software for inputting data into a personal computer independent of the POS terminal and performing arithmetic processing. 2. The management system according to claim 1, wherein the spreadsheet software obtains and displays a difference between the field instrument and the POS collected value for the input liquid level data and integrated data of the volumetric flowmeter.

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