Temperature monitoring from Savvy

IN THE RANGE

TELEMATICS • MANY LIQUID PRODUCTS CARRIED IN TANK CONTAINERS ARE SENSITIVE TO TEMPERATURE CHANGES. SAVVY TELEMATIC’S LATEST INNOVATION AIMS TO KEEP THEM IN THE RIGHT RANGE

SENSORS INSTALLED ON the outside of tank containers have been used for many years to track the temperature of the cargo inside and, when linked to telematics units, can send that information back to the tank operator and cargo owner. However, a sensor on the outside of the tank cannot obtain exact temperature measurements due to transmission losses; when a cargo is very sensitive to changes even a few degrees can make a big difference.

Germany-based tank transport company Rinnen needed to solve that problem and turned to Savvy Telematic Systems of Switzerland to come up with an answer. The solution Savvy found is being rolled out in Rinnen’s tank container fleet.

“We have developed a device that measures the temperature inside the tank,” explains Bernhard Weiland, key account manager at Savvy. “A replaceable thermowell with a PT 1000 sensor is inserted into the tank from the top. The sensor is only separated from the liquid by the tube fitting, thereby providing exact measurements.” The sensor is also connected to the Savvy Sense Gateway-ExR, an ATEX-certified telematics unit installed on the top of the container. This unit communicates by radio with the CargoTrac base unit, which sends data to Savvy’s Synergy Enterprise Portal, a web-based platform that provides constant visibility for Rinnen of a range of variables such as location, temperature, pressure and liquid fill level.

KEEP THE CUSTOMER HAPPY The Savvy system provides a seamless track-and-trace solution, making it possible for Rinnen to keep the consignee updated with an accurate estimated time of arrival (ETA) for each individual load, all along the transport chain and not just in its own vehicles, something that was missing in the system Rinnen was using before.

“We were able to provide a realistic ETA for the initial and final legs by truck but not during the main leg via rail, inland waterway or sea,” explains Oliver Brucks, head of vehicle fleet management at Rinnen. “Savvy has enabled us to close this gap. Every 15 minutes, the CargoTrac units on the tank containers send out their GPS position to the Synergy Portal, which then calculates the current ETA. This way we can provide our customers with current data when they need to plan their delivery, regardless of whether the containers are located on our trucks or are being shipped with one of our freight partners.”

Savvy and Rinnen are now working on a joint pilot to determine fill levels more reliably. Currently, that data is derived from loading and discharge information but can overlook other, potentially dangerous, changes. In order to improve safety and reliability, Rinnen wants to use the data derived from the Savvy sensors to take all factors into account and generate a reliable value. If that value deviates from target values, the software will send an alarm to allow the driver and fleet manager to respond immediately and can also send an email to other designated persons.

“Our customers need a comprehensive and precise overview of the status of their shipments at all times,” says Brucks. “We can now meet these expectations even better. Both with regard to temperature as well as ETA we have been able to significantly improve precision and data accessibility thanks to Savvy.

“The customers that already use the portal are delighted,” Oliver Brucks adds. “They not only have the benefit of increased transport safety but also improved tracking and tracing. If customs clearance takes longer than usual and delivery is delayed, they know that immediately and can adjust their production plans accordingly.” www.savvy-telematics.com

SAVVY’S NEW TEMPERATURE SENSOR GETS RIGHT INTO