Bidvest Tank Terminals
Asset digitisation of bulk liquid storage infrastructure
Bidvest Tank Terminals (BTT) is the foremost independent bulk liquid storage operator for chemicals, gases, fats and oils, base oils, and lube oil additives in South Africa. Zutari has been supporting BTT in various capacities since 2019.
Zutari’s most recent value-adding services includes digitising existing assets, conducting various process and safety-related projects, and offering business advisory services. Zutari recently created a digital twin of a BTT tank to the truck loading process.
This included 3D scanning of the site, creating a 3D model, and generating various engineering drawings to be used for the project’s design. A user-friendly simulation was completed using thermohydraulic simulation software.
The digital twin ensures that existing issues are detected and bottlenecks area avoided, and it assists the design team in suggesting improvements.
Thermohydraulic simulation software was also used to create an interactive model of the client’s process. This allowed BTT to witness the effect of varying input conditions on their facility’s operating efficiency and operating parameters within a virtual environment.
The digital twin ensures that existing issues are detected and bottlenecks area avoided, and it assists the design team in suggesting improvements.
This tool, combined with the 3D model, will potentially be used for user-friendly safety training.
Pressure surge and other vital outputs required to optimise process operations were also shown. Using visual reporting, BTT could see the effect of any input change. This tool, combined with the 3D model, will potentially be used for user-friendly safety training.
Through the various projects and initiatives undertaken as part of the BTT portfolio, Zutari has assisted BTT in digitising their existing assets and reducing their environmental footprint. Zutari is also offering sector-specific business advisory input to assist in the growth of BTT’s business.
*The Aurecon Africa business has been officially renamed Zutari as at 21 July 2020. Zutari acquired Aurecon Middle East on 20 November 2020.
