What do the Refined Bitumen Association do?

The Refined Bitumen Association (RBA) provides strict safety guidelines to ensure the safe filling of bitumen storage tanks and prevent the risk of hot bitumen being spilt during the filling process, whilst protecting both the safety of staff on site and the surrounding environment.

The RBA recommends that storage tanks are fitted with a continuous measuring system, a high level alarm (HLA) and an independent secondary device for a high high level alarm (HHLA).

Most storage tanks are supplied with insufficient or no level controls and due to the harsh nature of bitumen the accuracy of these product readings are generally poor.

Requirements for highly efficient bitumen storage tank filling

To meet the RBA requirements and ensure the safety of the operator when filling a bitumen tank, AMS-IAC recommends the use of two independent systems;

• Continuous Level Transmitter and Alarm Panel
  A level transmitter with an output to give current contents reading and high level alarm including a localised panel with contents displayed and an audible high level alarm (HLA)
• High High Level Switch and Alarm Panel
  A separate level switch for the high high level (HHLA) alarm with a localised audible alarm panel

The levels set out in the RBA guidelines for the HLA and HHLA position levels are:

• HLA: Activate alarm when available tank capacity is less than 10%
• HHLA: Activate alarm when available tank capacity has only 7.5% remaining

It is important the a storage tanks actual working capacity (AWC) and safe working capacity (SCW) are calculated at taken into consideration when calculating measurement instrument level readings and alarm levels.

For more information regarding the most suitable types of level transmitter, level switches and panel specifications, download our Bitumen Tank Systems application note.