Sistema de proteção contra o não aterramento de caminhão-tanque no pré-carregamento de combustível

Abstract

Fuel transportation via tanker trucks is a widely adopted practice in Brazil, requiring rigorous safety precautions, especially during loading and unloading operations. Properly grounding vehicles is a fundamental step to prevent sparks caused by static electricity, which can result in fires or explosions. At the facility of a multinational sugar and ethanol company-the subject of this study there was already a system in place that prevents loading and unloading of the product if the tanker truck was not properly grounded. However, there were no barriers preventing the coupling of the loading arms and the movement of the scissors lifts before the trucks were grounded. In this context, using inductive sensors and audible alarms integrated with the platform's existing systems, this paper presents the development of a system to overcome this limitation, minimizing the risk of accidents and, consequently, increasing the safety level of the procedure for the company's workers and equipment.