Technip Energies Loading Systems launches eMAX series
T.EN Loading Systems, a leading supplier of liquid product transfer systems for the energy sector and a subsidiary of Technip Energies, announces the launch of the T.EN Loading Systems series. eMAX, an innovative line of automatic and instrumented electric loading arms, setting new standards for this segment. The new series eMAX aims to reduce the customer's operating expenses (OPEX) by offering the following features:
Electric: Electric drives replace conventional hydraulics to operate the loading arms, offering new possibilities for automation and monitoring, as well as reducing the need for maintenance and the risk of hydraulic oil leaks.
Monitoring: By integrating a data acquisition and processing system with the ability to collect data during operations, maintenance scheduling can be optimized, migrating from preventive or corrective maintenance to predictive maintenance.
Automatic: Automation minimizes the human intervention normally required to connect and disconnect the marine loading arm, integrating fully automated sequences, resulting in safer and faster operations with less need for intensive training.
X - Cross-applications: The eMAX series is compatible with any type of application, such as petrochemicals, LNG, ammonia or liquid CO2, in various loading configurations.
In operational terms, the automation of the connection and disconnection sequences is possible thanks to a vision system specifically designed to analyze the position of the vessel’s manifold in relation to the loading arm coupling. The operator’s experience is complemented by software embedded in the Programmable Logic Controller (PLC), which generates loading arm trajectories based on the vision system’s legends and position sensors.
The operator authorizes the automatic sequence to be executed using a joystick, moving it laterally in opposite directions to connect the loading arm or interrupt its operation, respectively. When the operator stops moving the joystick, the loading arm stops in its current position (i.e. an automatic safety locking device is activated).
In terms of maintenance, monitoring functions are based on a data logging architecture that processes raw data collected in the field, transforms it into valuable information for users (such as speed, position, maneuvering torques, imbalance, etc.) and provides comprehensive diagnostic capabilities, while constantly learning and improving diagnostic accuracy.
Furthermore, special attention has been paid to cybersecurity, raising its standards to the highest level during data processing to avoid the risk of hacking.
In addition to the launch of the eMAX series, Loading Systems has signed a strategic partnership agreement with Cascade Drives AB, a developer and manufacturer of electric linear actuators, to develop a series of electric actuators to be incorporated into the new technology in eMAX loading arms.
The partnership with Cascade Drives AB will strengthen the eMAX offering, facilitating access to this revolutionary technology, as well as the retrofit market, ensuring sustainable loading arm solutions designed to reduce our customers’ OPEX, even on existing assets.
About T.EN Loading Systems:
T.EN Loading Systems is a pioneer and leader in the fluid transfer systems segment, supplying marine loading arms for onshore and offshore applications, and, for over 25 years, present in Brazil, with FLUXO, with an installed operational base of over 80 marine loading arms.
Specializing in the design and manufacture of loading arms, it was established in Sens in 1974, building its current headquarters under the name FMC, after acquiring the local company LUCEAT. The merger of FMC Technologies and Technip in 2017 formed the TechnipFMC Group, followed by a spin-off in 2021 to create Technip Energies (T.EN), to which T.EN Loading Systems belongs.
T.EN Loading Systems has a team of 340 highly qualified and dedicated professionals, based mainly in Sens, France, and actively participates in energy transition efforts, through the development of new equipment for the transfer of CO2 or liquid hydrogen, but also through the modernization of its plant, reducing its CO emissions by 50%2, since 2019.
Eric Morilhat has 20 years of experience in the O&G sector, having started his career as a mechanical engineer at FMC Technologies and later became responsible for the field services division.
He has developed solid experience in offshore cargo systems, having been Director of Offshore Engineering for 3 years. He then took over the leadership of Business Development, actively participating in the growth and development of the business unit, before taking on the role of Strategy Director.
From January 2018, Eric led the technical teams of TechnipFMC Loading Systems, which became Technip Energies Loading Systems in February 2021, bringing together project engineering, product line management and R&D capabilities. Since October 2022, he has been the General Manager of Loading Systems at Technip Energies.