EU Legislature to Deploy GSM-GPRS on Tank Monitoring.

EU Legislature intends to deploy GSM-GPRS Telematics Monitor Sewage Tanks and Report on Waste Water and Hazardous Chemical Waste in their Environmental Protection Programme.

The European Union in its efforts to enhance Environmental Protection, plans to introduce legislation to ensure that all tanks which are in use for storage of fuels, sewage waste, chemicals and other hazardous materials have active Telematics Monitoring and Reporting systems installed. The primary objective of the Monitoring devices will be to inform an active 24 x 7 monitoring centre such as Securitas, as well as key logistical personnel, of an imminent overflow, which might cause an Environmental damage.

Mobintelecom Oy of Helsinki is launching an affordable, low cost, the IPL Tank Reporting Device (TRD), an advanced, low power GSM / GPRS solution for the active monitoring and automatic reporting of the solid and liquid levels within stationary, mobile tanks or rolling stock.

Whether it be fuel tanks in remote locations, Septic Tanks or any other storage tanks containing dangerous or hazardous liquids, the TRD may be pre programmed to activate a GSM SMS to defined control points. Access to the Control Module Black Box TRD may be deployed by using a Mobile Telephone handset, a PDA or a Laptop with the possibility of redefining or upgrading software and instructions, over wireless GSM.

Essentially, two contact closure type limit switches are employed within the tank being monitored. These are wired to the TRD. Whenever either of the switches are activated, a SMS text message is transmitted to upto four (4) configurable numbers. Typically, one message is sent to the owner of the storage tank and another to the appropriate service centres or the maintenance personnel, so that they may take appropriate action. This SMS are sent continuously at predetermined intervals until the operator or the owner takes necessary actions and the limit switches are changed back and are reset.

Optionally, at a nominal additional per unit cost, the messages may be sent utilising GPRS Internet connectivity, as well as or instead of the SMS message.

Powered by a Sony-Ericsson state-of-the-art GSM / GPRS modem with frequency options providing potential to operate in over 180 countries throughout the world, the TRD operates on EGSM 900/1800 and GSM 850/1900 MHz.

Power options are 110-120 VAC Mains, 220-250 VAC Mains, as well as Solar Power unit for remote locations, where AC is unavailable.

The polycarbonate structure of the enclosure measures 110mm x 80mm x 65mm with a IP 67, IK 08 rating with an ability to function within an Operating Temperature of -25¡C to +55¡C, Storage Temperature of -40¡C to +85¡C with a non-condensing Humidity factor of 95% (max).

The mains powered devices have an internal software controlled heater. This will allow operation in temperatures down to approximately -40¡C.

Mobintelecom recommends that in order to avoid unforeseeable delays in delivery schedules, orders are placed immediately, for trial shipments during Q2-Q3 - 2003. The trial units cost Eur 490.00 per single unit, (excluding local taxes and freight) are available for delivery during March 2003 against prepaid reservations. The TRD does not include sensors, the type of which may vary according to individual application.

The TRD Black Box may also be configured to attend to numerous other domestic, residential and industrial functions and applications, which may be deployed over remote GSM-GPRS.

For further details, please contact Stephen Lowe at Mobintelecom Oy, Helsinki Finland.

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