Petrochemical Tank Farm Lightning Protection & Grounding Online Monitoring
Using FR three-point method grounding resistance monitoring module as the core, deploying FG smart gateway and FSS smart SPD, achieving 7x24h online monitoring of tank farm grounding grid, replacing traditional manual measurement, Real-Time perception of grounding system status, ensuring lightning protection safety and production continuity.
01 · BACKGROUND
Customer Background
Enterprise Type
A large petrochemical enterprise affiliated with the national energy and chemical system, specializing in crude oil storage and transportation, petrochemical product production, and fine chemicals. As a national critical infrastructure operator, it strictly entoces safety red lines and compliance audits, with lightning protection safety being a core part of its production safety system.
Enterprise Scale: Large State-owned Enterprise subject to site survey · Operating Annuals: subject to site survey
Tank Farm Scale
Owns multiple large tank farm groups with large area and high storage capacity, wide and complex grounding grid distriBution. Constrained by tank farm explosion-proof area classification and operational safety, traditional manual inspection Cannot achieve high-frequency full coverage, with long-term monitoring blind spots.
Tank Farm Count/Total Capacity: subject to site survey · Grounding Point Count: Online inspection
Industry Position
Key industry regulatory unit, classified as high lightning protection risk. Must strictly comply with mandatory standards including GB 50057 Building Lightning Protection Design Code, GB/T 21413 Petroleum Reserve Lightning Protection Technical Specifications, and GB 50160 Petrochemical Enterprise Design Fire Protection Standard, accepting joint supervision from emergency management and meteorological authorities.
Compliance Standard: GB 50057 / GB/T 21413 / GB 50160
02 · CHALLENGES
Business Challenges
Low Manual Inspection Efficiency, Large Blind Spots
Tank farm grounding points are numerous and widely distriButed. Traditional hand-cranked grounding resistance meters require manual point-by-point measurement, with long cycles and incomplete coverage, making it difficult to detect grounding degradation hazards in time.
Lack of Data Support to Lightning Risk Assessment
Tank farms are high lightning risk areas, But lack long-term continuous grounding resistance and lightning current monitoring Data, unable to support lightning risk assessment and lightning protection engineering decisions.
SPD Degradation Cannot Be Perceived in Real-Time
Surge protective devices (SPDs) withstand lightning strikes and switching overvoltages over time, with degradation and failure risks. Traditional SPDs lack online monitoring capability, unable to provide timely warning after failure.
Compliance Audit Evidence Collection Difficulties
Petrochemical industry lightning protection compliance audits require complete, continuous, traceable monitoring Data. Paper records and discrete Data Cannot meet regulatory and audit evidence requirements.
03 · SOLUTION
Solution
System Architecture Diagram
Note: This is a technical illustration. Architecture: sensing layer (FS/FL/FR terminals) → edge & network layer (FG Lightning Protection Gateway) → platform layer (FEXCloud IoT Cloud Platform).
Deployed Product List
| Product Name | Model | Quantity | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| FR Three-Point Method Grounding Resistance Monitoring Module | FR | Configured per point | Online measurement of tank farm grounding grid grounding resistance, 0.01Ω resolution, 7×24h continuous monitoring |
| FG Smart Gateway | FG | Configured per point | Aggregates FR/FSS terminal Data, edge processing, uploads to cloud plattom via 4G/Ethernet |
| FSS Smart SPD | FSS | Configured per point | Flagship Full-Parameter SPD, built-in 8 sensor groups, Real-Time Monitoring of SPD degradation and lightning events |
| FSP Lightning Protection Monitoring Base | FSP | Configured per point | Used with traditional SPD, giving legacy SPDs online monitoring capability, lowering retrofit threshold |
| FEXLINK Cloud Platform | Cloud 3.0 | 1 Set | Data Aggregation, Visualization, Alarm Push, Compliance Report Auto-Generation |
Note: Product quantities follow the point-based configuration principle; final quantities are subject to site survey and the implementation plan.
Network Topology
Sensing Layer: FR Three-Point Method Grounding Resistance Monitoring ModuleDeployed at each storage tank grounding downconductor point,FSS Smart SPDDeployed at tank farm distriBution cabinet and control cabinet power inlet,FSP Lightning Protection Monitoring Baseinstalled with legacy SPDs,FL Transient Current Monitor(optional) Deployed at key lightning paths.
Network Layer: Each sensing terminal connects to FG Smart Gateway via RS485 bus (Modbus-RTU protocol)FG Smart Gateway,FG gateway uploads to plant internal network via 4G cellular/Ethernet, supporting dual-link redundant backup to ensure Data transmission reliability.
Platform Layer: Data aggregates to FEXLINK Cloud Platform (private deployment or public cloud), providing web and mobile visualization dashboard, Real-Time alarms, historical trend analysis, compliance report auto-generation, and multi-role permission management.
Integration Layer: The cloud plattom connects with existing DCS/SCADA/MES industrial systems via standard REST API / Modbus TCP protocol, enabling Data sharing and linked alarms.
04 · IMPLEMENTATION
Implementation Process
Site Survey & Solution Design
Engineers visit tank farm site to survey grounding grid structure, point distriBution, and distriBution cabinet locations, outputting point list and system deployment plan.
Timeline: per project schedule
Equipment Installation & Wiring
FR monitoring module installed at grounding downconductor, FSS/FSP installed in distriBution cabinet, FG smart gateway centrally deployed, completing RS485 bus wiring and power connection.
Timeline: per project schedule
System Commissioning & Platform Integration
Configure FG gateway acquisition parameters and upload cycle, complete FEXLINK Cloud plattom account setup, point binding, alarm threshold setting, and report template configuration.
Timeline: per project schedule
Trial Operation & Personnel Training
System trial operation and Data accuracy calibration, training to O&M personnel on plattom operation, alarm handling, and report export, completing project acceptance and delivery.
Timeline: per project schedule
05 · RESULTS
Application Effects
7×24h
All-Weather Online Monitoring
0.01Ω
Grounding Resistance Resolution
subject to site survey
Reduced Manual Inspection Hours
Hazard warning
Monitoring Point Cover Count
Hazard warning
Advance Warning Count
Auto
Compliance Report Auto-Generation Rate
Application Value
"subject to site survey This case customer testimonial will be added after customer confirmation. The testimonial will cover operational efficiency comparison betoe and after system deployment, lightning protection compliance audit improvements, and emergency lightning strike incident handling."
— Qualitative statement based on solution design objectives
06 · RELATED PRODUCTS
Related Product Recommendations
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Multi-Protocol Aggregation · Edge Computing · 4G Uplink
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FSS Smart SPD
Flagship Full-Parameter SPD · 8 Sensor Groups
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Gives Legacy SPDs Online Monitoring Capability
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If your enterprise has similar oil tank farm lightning protection grounding monitoring Needs, Please Contact Us to a customized solution. The FEXLINK technical team will provide end-to-end IoT solutions based on your tank farm scale, point distriBution, and compliance requirements.
FEXLINK Business Scope
FEXLINK specializes in smart lightning protection and electrical safety, offering a product portfolio covering lightning protection, lightning online monitoring, lightning protection online monitoring, lightning arrester, intelligent lightning arrester, lightning arrester monitoring, grounding resistance, grounding monitoring for smart lightning protection scenarios, while addressing digital distribution, smart distribution, electricity meter, carbon neutral, industrial internet, carbon asset for digital business, helping enterprises achieve safe, efficient and low-carbon energy management.