Systems and processes for monitoring and verifying ship-to-ship bunker fuel exchanges

Abstract

A system is disclosed for verifying a process in which a fluid is delivered from a supply vessel to a receiving vessel in accordance with a pre-established contract. The system further comprises a monitoring unit comprising, for example, a measurement device configured to measure a mass flow rate of the fluid, receiving the measured parameters and creating and storing an electronic record including the parameters. The system further comprises a private local area network including a wireless router connected to the monitoring unit, a wireless access point connected to the wireless router and configured to provide a point-to-point wireless link between the supply vessel and the receiving vessel, and a wireless client device of the wireless access point, the client device being located on the receiving vessel. The delivery process is verified when each of the first user and the second user have provided an electronic signature indicating positive verification of the electronic record with respect to the contract.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to a system for measuring the amount of fuel delivered during a bunkering operation between a barge and a vessel. More specifically, the inventive concepts described herein aim to enable such measurements to be reported in real time during the bunkering process and to ensure the authenticity of the measurements being reported. [Background technology]

[0002] The illegal practice of bunkering is a well-known phenomenon in the shipping industry. Unscrupulous parties obtain substantial benefits by misrepresenting the quality and / or quantity of fuel delivered from the bunker supply vessel (barge) to the bunker receiving vessel during the bunkering process. Bunker fuel may refer to any distillate or residual fuel intended for combustion purposes for the propulsion or operation of systems on board a vessel. Bunker fuel may include distillate marine (DM) fuel oil, high sulfur fuel oil (HSFO), residual marine fuel oil (RM), very low sulfur fuel oil (ULSFO), very low sulfur fuel oil (VLSFO), heavy fuel oil (HFO), low sulfur fuel oil (LSFO), marine diesel oil (MDO), marine gas oil (MGO), LNG fuel bunkers, etc. Bunker fuel is pumped from the barge to the receiving vessel through bunker lines. Bunkering is a process that requires some degree of manual labor and involves many opportunities for illicit activities, which result in significant amounts of fuel going missing or otherwise remaining unreported, thus resulting in revenue loss. Many efforts have been made to minimize such losses.

[0003] Traditionally, manual ship sounding or dipping techniques have been used to determine the amount of bunker fuel in a vessel. These methods allow the volume of fuel to be estimated. However, bunker fuel is usually sold by weight. The weight per unit volume varies depending on the density of the fuel, which may vary with, for example, temperature or pressure. Thus, traditional approaches to estimate the amount of fuel to be delivered are fairly labor intensive, require laboratory tests to determine density, and rely heavily on manual dipping and the use of look-up tables to convert from volume to weight, etc. For example, by using that look-up table and measuring the height difference between the levels of fuel in the bunker barge before and after the delivery of fuel, the barge master can calculate that a 6 inch drop in the fuel level of vessel X at temperature T corresponds to a given quantity of fuel. The chief engineer of the receiving vessel can make his own calculations for that vessel. Both parties will document their calculations to verify and prove each other's assertions regarding the delivery details. Errors are often made, either inadvertently or maliciously, which can result in objections being filed by any of the parties, or even full-blown legal disputes. All of these processes are paper-based, requiring physical documents to be exchanged between the barge master and the chief engineer to manually sign the documents.

[0004] More modern measurement methods allow for direct measurement of the weight or mass of the bunker fuel delivered. Direct measurement of the mass of the fuel delivered reduces errors that may occur when measuring the volume due to changes in density and / or viscosity of the fuel during the delivery session or the presence of air bubbles in the fuel. Direct measurement of mass can be performed using mass flow meters (also called inertial flow meters). A mass flow meter is a device for measuring the mass flow rate of a fluid moving through a pipe, i.e. the mass of a fluid passing a given point per unit time. Coriolis mass flow meters inserted in the bunker line can be used to directly measure the mass of fuel transferred during a bunkering session. Mass flow meters used to monitor the bunkering process are usually certified by a port authority or a national metrology office, or other authority responsible for ensuring that the mass flow meters comply with industry recognized metrology requirements. Such mass flow meters usually have a controller for issuing the necessary electronic control signals to control the operation of the flow meter and for receiving measurement signals from the flow meter. These mass flow meters can be configured to measure, for example, mass flow, volumetric flow, density, and temperature. The controller may have a transmitter to transmit the measurement data to be processed. The data may be processed by a dedicated flow computer. For example, it may be configured to print a bunker transfer receipt including the time, date, and total amount of fuel transferred. The transfer receipt may be used as a legal (weights and measures) document. Information from the transfer receipt may be used to fill in the Bunker Delivery Record (BDN), which is the official receipt used as the basis for commercial invoices. The BDN lists the amount of fuel delivered, the sulfur content (%m / m), and a few other physical properties. A drip sample is also taken and stored for future analysis in case of a dispute. Other documents and / or certificates related to safety procedures are also filled in. All of these documents must be exchanged between the barge and the vessel for signature / countersignature.

[0005] The prior art includes systems and methods for measuring the amount of fuel delivered in a bunkering operation. Such systems may use a vibrating meter, such as a Coriolis flow meter. Such systems and methods are used to solve problems associated with false or erroneous measurements known to occur using any of the more conventional methods mentioned above, thus providing reliable bunkering operations for large ocean-going vessels. The prior art further includes systems using Coriolis mass flow meters, which are configured to solve the problem of entrained air or other gases in the bunker lines causing the flow meter to give erroneous readings.

[0006] Bunker fuel transfer systems including measurement systems are known that use various sensors to measure certain parameters associated with the bunker fuel flowing through the bunker lines or flow tubes during a bunkering session. The sensors include a Coriolis mass flowmeter motion sensor configured to measure the flow rate of the bunker fuel through the bunker lines, a temperature sensor, and a pressure sensor, and the system is configured to calculate the mass of fuel transferred during the bunkering session. The system is further configured to generate a bunker report for the receiving vessel recording the amount of fuel transferred. This physical bunker report is then signed by the receiving vessel's chief engineer and handed over to the barge master for countersigning, along with all other documents related to the bunkering session, in the usual manner described above.

[0007] For example, US Patent Application Publication No. US 2010 / 217536 A1 discloses a bunker fuel transfer system for providing quantity certainty of bunker fuel supply transactions. The bunker fuel transfer system includes Coriolis flow tubes, Coriolis transmitters, and a multi-measurement metering system that may be placed on a skid on the deck of the bunker barge that refuels. These instruments are linked to a computer in the control room of the vessel being refueled and a bunker receipt issuing device, which receives various measurements from the instruments and calculates, among other things, how much fuel has been delivered. The bunker receipt issuing device may generate a bunker supply record and / or a bunker transfer report, which then need to be signed and given to the bunker barge to be countersigned to provide evidence that the contractual provisions for the supply have been met. The vessel has a broadband router that allows the countersigned report to be sent by email to a client or via broadband wireless or satellite communication means to a client FTP site.

[0008] Vessel monitoring systems are known that monitor the characteristics of a vessel from a remote location. Such systems typically use mass flow meters to monitor fuel consumption. The system further includes a satellite transceiver to transmit the monitoring data via satellite to a base station receiver. Other vehicle monitoring systems may include multiple sensors including mass flow meters, a telemetry unit to convert the measured parameters into the characteristics to be monitored, and a transceiver to transmit the telemetry signals to a remote site for processing. The transceivers used in such systems typically operate using satellite, GPRS, or WiMax communication means.

[0009] Thus, mass flow meters have been widely used in the prior art in bunkering situations. However, while the introduction of mass flow meters may have brought more rigor to reporting based on accurate mass-based measurements, it cannot be said that they have completely eliminated the problems associated with false reporting. In fact, mass flow meters may still be operated, especially at sea, or anywhere mass flow meters are not mandatory, for example, using recirculation lines, low flow rates, improper shutoffs, improper drive gain levels, under-compensation for air entrainment, etc. Furthermore, even with the use of mass flow meters, the problem of having to sign, exchange and countersign paper documents by manually transferring physical documents between the barge and the vessel in a marine environment that typically does not have access to a terrestrial communication network remains. Summary of the Invention

[0010] Bunkering operations are typically conducted at sea, where connectivity to broadband wireless or satellite communication services may be limited or even non-existent. Thus, it is not always possible to transmit electronic bunker transfer reports to clients via wireless communication means. Furthermore, communication via satellite does not provide a sufficiently low latency connection to perform real-time monitoring of bunker supply characteristics, even in cases where a reliable connection can be sustained long enough.

[0011] In view of the prior art, there remains a need to provide a more efficient and cost-effective means of monitoring bunker transfer characteristics and signing off or otherwise verifying or certifying that the bunker transfer was performed accurately. There is a need to access accurate in-line real-time measurements of parameters or characteristics related to a bunker supply session while the fluid is being delivered from a supply vessel or bunker barge to a receiving vessel. By vessel, we mean, for example, a seagoing vessel or a surface vessel such as a barge, boat, ship, etc. The fluid may be a multiphase fluid or any mixture of two or more components where the base phase is a liquid (e.g., a liquid with entrained gas, a particle-laden stream, a slurry, an emulsion, and a multi-liquid mixture). Preferably, the fluid is a bunker fuel.

[0012] According to a first aspect, there is provided a system for monitoring and verifying a supply process in which fluid is supplied from a supply vessel to a receiving vessel via a bunker line in accordance with pre-established contractual terms, the system comprising: a data capture device configured to capture data relating to the supply process; a monitoring unit operatively connected to the data capture device for receiving data relating to the supply process, the monitoring unit comprising: at least one processor configured to create an electronic record including at least a portion of the received data related to the supply process; and At least one memory for storing electronic records and / or received data related to the supply process. A monitoring unit comprising: Equipped with The system is a first wireless transceiver operably connected to the monitoring unit, the first wireless transceiver configured to provide wireless access to the monitoring unit by one or more wireless communication devices of one or more first authorized users on the supply vessel; a second wireless transceiver operatively connected to the first wireless transceiver and configured to provide a point-to-point wireless link between the supply vessel and the receiving vessel; a third wireless transceiver located on the receiving vessel and configured to provide wireless access to the second wireless transceiver by one or more wireless communication devices of one or more second authorized users on the receiving vessel via a point-to-point wireless link; a private local area network comprising: A system is disclosed herein, characterized in that the processor is further configured to create a dashboard accessible to a first user and a second user having access to the private local area network, the dashboard is configured to present the electronic record to the first user and the second user and accept an electronic signature of each of the first user and the second user to indicate whether each of the first user and the second user has positively verified the electronic record with respect to the pre-established contract terms, and the supply process is verified when both the first user and the second user have provided an electronic signature.

[0013] The data capture device may be an electronic memory, a computer memory, or a database in which some data related to the supply session is stored. The data related to the supply session may be, for example, the name or serial number of the receiving vessel, the name or serial number of the supplying vessel, the reference number of the supply session, the reference number or name of the fluid being supplied, a reference designation indicating the stage of the supply session, etc. According to another embodiment, the data capture device may be a device such as a navigation system, and the data related to the supply session may be the global position of the barge or vessel during the supply session, and / or the date and / or time when the supply session takes place. According to another embodiment, the data capture device may be a computer, and the data related to the supply session may be the IP address of the computer. According to yet another embodiment, the data capture device may be a video camera, and the data related to the supply session may be a video image of a part of the bunkering process. According to yet another embodiment, the data capture device may be a measurement device having one or more sensors for measuring one or more parameters related to the supply process, such as the level of fuel in the tank, the mass flow rate of the fuel being supplied through the bunker line, the temperature of the fuel, the viscosity of the fuel, etc. In one embodiment, several different capture devices of different types may be used.

[0014] The third wireless transceiver may be a transceiver of any wireless equipment on the receiving vessel, such as a tablet computer transceiver or a smartphone transceiver. The third transceiver may otherwise be a transceiver of a network device on the receiving vessel to which a user on the receiving vessel can connect using a computing device such as the receiving vessel's bridge computer or a portable computer. The third wireless transceiver may have an antenna in some embodiments.

[0015] The data captured by the data capture device may be any data that may be used to demonstrate or verify that the operation's contractual obligations have been properly performed in accordance with any compliance or regulatory standards commonly used in the bunkering sector to meet required safety and / or legal requirements.

[0016] According to a second aspect, there is provided a computer-implemented method for monitoring and verifying a supply process in which fluid is supplied from a supply vessel to a receiving vessel via a bunker line in accordance with pre-established contractual terms, the method comprising: capturing at least one data related to the supply process or measuring at least one set of parameters related to one or more of a mass flow rate of the fluid through at least a portion of the bunker line, a physical property of the fluid, a chemistry of the fluid, and a quality of the fluid; generating, using a processor, an electronic record including at least one parameter of the parameter set; storing the pre-child record in a memory; creating, using a processor, a dashboard, the dashboard configured to present the electronic record and to accept electronic signatures from at least two users to indicate whether each of the at least two users has positively verified the electronic record with respect to said pre-established contractual terms; providing access to the dashboard over a private local area network by wireless communication devices of at least one first authorized user on the supply vessel via a wireless router on the supply vessel; providing access to the dashboard over a private local area network by wireless communication equipment of at least one second authorized user on the receiving vessel via a point-to-point wireless communication channel between a wireless access point on the supply vessel and a wireless client device of the wireless access point, the client device being on the receiving vessel; receiving, via the dashboard, an electronic signature of a first authorized user to indicate whether the first authorized user has verified the electronic record with respect to the pre-established contractual clauses, and an electronic signature of a second authorized user to indicate whether the second authorized user has verified the electronic record with respect to the pre-established contractual clauses, wherein the supply process is verified when both of the electronic signatures are received; A method is provided, comprising:

[0017] According to one embodiment, the supply process is verified when all regulatory conditions are met, which may include, among other things, the above-mentioned electronic signature, IP address signature, geotag signature, and / or date stamp including time.

[0018] According to a third aspect, there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium which, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform the method disclosed above.

[0019] According to a fourth aspect there is provided a computer program product stored on a computer usable medium, the computer program product comprising computer readable program means for causing a computer to carry out the method disclosed above.

[0020] According to a fifth aspect, there is provided a computer program comprising computer readable program means for causing a computer to execute the method or methods disclosed herein. Thus, the computer readable program means for executing the techniques disclosed herein may be obtained by a user, for example by downloading the computer program via a communication network such as the Internet, for storage on a computer readable medium.

[0021] Embodiments of the present invention enable one or more aspects of the bunker fuel supply process to be monitored and verified, preferably in real time. The bunkering process is typically performed between ships at sea, and broadband or satellite communications between the ships may be costly, unreliable, and / or may not have sufficient bandwidth to provide the required real-time monitoring.

[0022] The embodiments described herein provide economical, bidirectional, low latency, and real-time communication of reliable bunker-related information between the barge master of the supply vessel and the chief engineer of the receiving vessel, thereby enabling the exchange of electronic document signing and countersignatures to verify and approve key aspects of the bunkering session or process.

[0023] The inventive concepts described herein will be better understood with reference to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, which show by way of non-limiting examples of embodiments of the inventive concepts. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates a bunkering process at sea, where bunker fuel is delivered from a supply vessel or bunker barge to a receiving vessel via a bunker line. [Diagram 2] 1 shows a bunker line with a mass flow meter inserted therein, the mass flow meter being equipped with at least one motion sensor and controlled by a transmitter / controller. [Diagram 3] 1 shows a schematic diagram of a portion of a system according to one embodiment described herein. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a system according to one embodiment described herein. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a system according to another embodiment described herein. [Figure 6] 1 illustrates a system according to one embodiment described herein. [Figure 7]FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a portion of the system of the present disclosure on a supply vessel in accordance with an embodiment in which access to a wide area network is provided via a gateway device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] A system for streamlining the bunker supply process in the shipping industry is disclosed. The system provides a bunker supply platform to increase efficiency and bring transparency to the bunker supply process. The platform allows stakeholders in the bunker supply process, such as the barge master of the bunker barge or supply vessel, and the chief engineer of the receiving vessel, to monitor and verify, among other things, the quantity and / or quality of fuel in real time during the supply process. A dashboard with data indicative of key characteristics of the process is available to each stakeholder so that they can verify the process with respect to a pre-established contract that describes certain criteria that must be met. The data presented in the dashboard may be obtained directly from various sensors in a measurement device operatively connected to the bunker line supplying the fuel, the sensors configured to measure parameters related to the mass flow rate of the fuel as it passes through the bunker line, the temperature of the fuel, the density of the fuel, the chemical content (e.g., sulfur content) of the fuel, the pressure in the bunker line, the differential pressure across a portion of the bunker line, etc. The system includes a monitoring unit, which is a custom hardware component with a processor and memory, configured to collect measurement data from the sensors in the measurement device. The monitoring unit also runs custom software to provide access to the measurement data by authorized users on the supply vessel and the receiving vessel.

[0026] Instead of or in addition to showing the measurement data on the dashboard, the system may comprise other types of data capture devices than simply measurement devices. Any other type of data useful to substantiate or otherwise authenticate contractual or regulatory requirements may be used. For example, the system may comprise a memory or have access to a database in which data regarding the supply session may be stored, such as the vessel name, the type of fuel being supplied, etc. The data capture device may be a GPS device or an AIS system used to automatically track the vessel's location and provide global coordinates of the vessel's location, or may be a timer to provide date and / or time information of the supply session. According to one embodiment, the data capture device may be a video capture device for capturing video data of all or part of a process or process steps during the supply session. For example, a sampling process includes collecting three small fuel bottles by collecting droplets of fuel at certain times during the supply session. The video capture device may be configured to provide a video stream of the sampling process, the video data being received by the monitoring unit and transmitted via a point-to-point wireless communication link. Including the video feed in the electronic record for display on the dashboard may provide proper verification that the sampling process was performed in accordance with regulatory procedures.

[0027] The embodiment of the system described herein includes a private local area wireless network built around a wireless router, preferably on board the supply vessel. The monitoring unit and the router are interconnected via a physical local area network connection, and the router is also connected to a wireless access point configured to implement a point-to-point bidirectional wireless communication link to a corresponding client wireless router on the receiving vessel, preferably in a direct line of sight to the location with the wireless access point on the supply vessel. Thus, an authorized user with a mobile communication device on the receiving vessel can access the monitoring unit via this private local area wireless network, for example using a web browser. The system may further create an electronic bunker supply record, as well as other documents required to audit the supply process. The bunker supply record may be available to the chief engineer via the private local area network. Once both parties agree that the electronic document matches the quantity and quality of the fuel supplied, both parties may each, via the portal, perform an electronic signature indicating that the supply process has been verified. Details of the contract may be stored in the system to enable the parties to perform the verification. These details may include bunker supply sampling procedure forms, handling procedure forms, ullage reports for initial pre-supply measurements, bunker analysis reports, safety checklists, expected fuel quantities, etc. After delivery, further electronic documentation may be generated such as bunker delivery receipts, ullage reports, and statements.

[0028] The system offers the advantage that electronic documents can be created automatically based on real-time in-line measurements received from different sensors in the measuring device while the fuel is being delivered. Possible errors caused by manual data entry are thus avoided. Paperwork can be exchanged over a private wireless network between the supplying vessel and the receiving vessel for cross-verification. Electronic documents can furthermore easily be signed to indicate the parties' approval.

[0029] Users can access by client portal with secure and authorized URL access to bunker supply information and metrics via a real-time interactive bunker management dashboard. Users can view current and historical bunker supply information including, for example, electronic bunker supply records, mass flow meter measurement data, barge audit records and reports, operation timelines, and metrics related to the supply process such as mass flow meter profiles. The system of the present invention allows current and historical bunker supply information to be viewed by authorized users at any global location.

[0030] According to one embodiment, access to a wide area network may also be provided, for example, by connecting the gateway device to a router with access to a satellite connection. In this embodiment, an electronic invoice for supply may be sent directly to the customer based on the electronic bunker supply record. In this embodiment, the monitoring unit is further configured to upload measurements to the cloud via the gateway device for reference by other authorized parties in other locations. Thus, the system provides automatic real-time reporting to other stakeholders in the bunkering process (e.g., port authorities, customs authorities, etc.) apart from the supplying vessel's barge master and the receiving vessel's chief engineer.

[0031] Referring to Figure 1, a bunkering session 100 is illustrated in which bunker fuel is transferred from a storage tank 103 of a supply vessel, a bunker barge 102, through a bunker line 108 to one or more fuel tanks 106 of a receiving vessel 105. Since the bunker barge is typically smaller and lower in height than the receiving vessel, the bunker barge may have a crane to lift the bunker line high enough to connect it to the bunkering manifold of the receiving vessel.

[0032] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a Coriolis mass flowmeter 221 that may be inserted into a bunker line 208 and used to measure the flow rate of a fluid (bunker fuel) as it passes through the bunker line. A magnet coil assembly located in a particular portion of the mass flowmeter is driven by an electrical signal 223, which causes a portion of the mass flowmeter to vibrate or oscillate during operation. The manner in which different portions of the flowmeter oscillate depends on the mass flow rate of the fluid moving through the mass flowmeter. At least two additional magnet coil assemblies are located on the mass flowmeter at different positions along the fluid flow to act as sensors. The vibration of these portions of the flowmeter causes the sensors to generate electrical signals that are out of phase with each other. The sensors generate sinusoidal signals 224a, 224b that represent the motion of the corresponding portions of the mass flowmeter caused by the flow of fluid through the mass flowmeter. By comparing the phase of the signals generated by the sensors, the mass flow rate of the fluid flowing through the flowmeter can be determined. Mass flow meters typically operate in conjunction with a transmitter / controller 222 that drives the mass flow meter and receives and processes the sensor signals. The transmitter / controller, typically simply called a transmitter, may output parameters 225 such as mass and volumetric flow rates, net product content or flow rate, temperature, density or concentration, for example.

[0033] Coriolis mass flow meters use the Coriolis principle to directly measure mass flow rate (kilograms per hour) and density. Such mass flow meters may be configured to display mass flow rate, volumetric flow rate, or a combination of both. Some mass flow meters may also indicate the temperature of the liquid or liquid mixture being measured. Flow rate may be calculated from the phase difference between signals received from different sensors. Density may be calculated from the frequency of the signals from the sensors.

[0034] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a portion of a system 390 for monitoring and verifying a supply process in which fluid is supplied from a supply vessel to a receiving vessel via a bunker line 308, as described herein. FIG. 3 shows a portion of the bunker line 308 supplying the fluid. The system comprises a data capture device, in this case a measurement device 320, that engages in some way with the bunker line to allow measurement of certain parameters related to the supply process. As shown in FIG. 3, the measurement device may comprise a mass flow meter 321. The mass flow meter may be a Coriolis mass flow meter inserted in the bunker line so that the mass flow rate of the fluid can be measured as the fluid moves through the bunker line. According to other embodiments, the measurement device may have different types of sensors so that different parameters can be measured. For example, a temperature sensor may engage the bunker line by probing the flow of the fluid in the bunker line. Other sensors are possible, such as a timer, one or more pressure sensors that measure the pressure of the fluid in the bunker line or the pressure difference along a portion of the bunker line, a rheometer that measures the viscosity of the fluid, or one or more of a number of different chemical sensors that detect the percentage of water content in the fluid, the percentage of sediment content in the fluid, the percentage of sulfur content in the fluid, or the percentage of ash content in the fluid, etc.

[0035] In Figure 3 the mass flow meter is shown in combination with its transmitter 322 which sends an electrical signal 323 to induce oscillations in the mass flow meter and receives electrical signals 324a, 324b from sensors in the mass flow meter to allow the calculation of the mass flow rate of the fluid through the bunker line and the calculation of the density of the fluid. Preferably the mass flow meter is located on the supply vessel.

[0036] The system further comprises a monitoring unit 330, which is connected to the measurement device so as to receive the measurement parameters 325 as they are measured. According to one embodiment, the monitoring unit 330 comprises at least one memory 332 for storing the measurement parameters and at least one processor 331 for processing the measurement parameters. The parameters may be measured at different time intervals during the supply process and supplied to the monitoring unit. The processor may be configured to create an electronic record including at least one parameter of the received set of measurement parameters. The electronic record may alternatively or additionally include data derived or otherwise calculated from one or more of the measurement parameters. According to certain embodiments, particularly when the measurement device comprises a Coriolis mass flowmeter, the measurement device further comprises a flow computer (not shown in FIG. 3 ) adapted to receive and process the parameter measurements from the mass flowmeter. Mass flowmeter manufacturers may provide the mass flowmeter and the flow computer together as a unit to improve the measurement performance, reduce the measurement uncertainty and thus ensure compliance with the measurement contract. Such units are typically certified by a weights and measures authority, or by a port authority or other similar metrology authority responsible for ensuring that the unit complies with industry recognized metrology requirements. In such an embodiment, the monitoring unit collects measurement parameters from the mass flowmeter in read-only mode, thereby ensuring that the data received by the monitoring unit meets the compliance certified by the relevant authority. In other embodiments, the monitoring unit reads measurement parameters directly from the mass flowmeter without the use of a flow computer, and it is the combination of the mass flowmeter and the monitoring unit that is certified by the relevant authority.

[0037] The processor of the monitoring unit is further configured to create a network-accessible dashboard accessible (preferably using a web browser) to a first user and a second user having access to the private local area network, the dashboard being configured to present the electronic record to the first user and the second user and to accept an electronic signature of each of the first user and the second user to indicate whether each of the first user and the second user has positively verified the electronic record with respect to said pre-established contractual terms, and the supply process is verified when both the first user and the second user have provided their electronic signatures.

[0038] According to one embodiment, in addition to providing measurement data from the mass flow meter to the monitoring unit, a printer 305 may be used on board the supply vessel to print a bunker supply receipt. This is shown in Figure 3, where after the bunkering process is completed, a switch 307 may be actuated to switch the measurement device output to the printer. Embodiments also work without the printer and switch.

[0039] The monitoring unit is connected to a wireless router 310 on the supply vessel or barge via a physical communication network cable. Thus, a user on the barge can connect to the monitoring unit using a web browser and view the measurement results using a mobile communication device, such as, for example, a phone or tablet computer 315. According to one embodiment, the monitoring unit is configured to execute a software application to present the measurement data, or other data derived or otherwise calculated from the measurement data, on a dashboard accessible by the web browser. In an embodiment in which the data capture device is a video capture device, the monitoring unit is configured to present all or a portion of the video content captured during at least a portion of the process during the supply session on a dashboard accessible via the web browser. Similarly, when the data capture device captures data from a memory or database, the monitoring unit is configured to present the captured data on the dashboard.

[0040] According to an embodiment, the system further comprises an antenna connected by a physical communication network cable to the wireless router and configured as a wireless access point 340 to provide a point-to-point wireless communication link to a corresponding additional transceiver on the receiving vessel, the additional transceiver being configured as a client device to the access point. Preferably, the location of the access point and the client on each vessel is selected to provide line-of-sight communication between the barge and the receiving vessel via a point-to-point communication link. Figure 3 shows the system up to the wireless access point. The client device and the receiving vessel are not shown. The additional transceiver may further have an antenna and may provide a wireless connection to one or more computers or mobile devices on the vessel. In another embodiment, the additional transceiver may be part of a mobile communication device such as a smart phone or tablet computer or other mobile communication device.

[0041] The point-to-point communication network is preferably a private network. The network thus formed, including the wireless equipment on the receiving vessel and the wireless equipment on the barge and the monitoring unit, can be called an intranet.

[0042] A system 400 deployed on a barge 402 and a receiving vessel 405 according to one embodiment is shown generally in Figure 4. Figure 4 shows the barge and its system components 402 shown as boxes in point-to-point wireless communication 499 with the receiving vessel 405. The receiving vessel has an antenna 445 configured as a router that is a client of the access point on the barge. Authorized users on the receiving vessel can then connect to the network using their mobile communication devices 425.

[0043] According to another embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the receiving vessel 505 further comprises an additional router 546 connected to an additional antenna 545, enabling users 525 on the receiving vessel to connect to the network 599.

[0044] According to one embodiment, there are no antennas on board the receiving vessel and the point-to-point communications link is completed using a transceiver on the mobile communications equipment used on board the receiving vessel.

[0045] FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a system 600 in which an embodiment of the present invention may be deployed. On a barge 602 is a data capture device. In this case, the data capture device is a measurement device 620 that measures a set of parameters related to the supply process by engaging a bunker line 608 carrying the fuel supply. The measurement data is read and stored by a monitoring unit 630. The monitoring unit is further configured to execute an application to create a network-accessible dashboard in which the measurements are presented. The dashboard may be accessible using a web browser over a private wireless communication network. The monitoring device is configured such that the dashboard thus created accepts input from an authorized user, preferably in the form of the user's electronic signature, to indicate that the user has verified that the measurements or parameters presented in the dashboard meet the requirements set forth in the pre-established contractual clauses for the supply process.

[0046] In embodiments where the data capture device is a video capture device, the monitoring unit is configured to process the captured video data of all or part of the process used during the supply session so that it can be displayed on the dashboard.

[0047] Using the embodiments described herein, both the barge master and the receiving vessel's chief engineer can monitor one or more characteristics of the bunkering session in real time as the bunker fuel is being dispensed by the point-to-point private wireless network 699 and the dashboard created by the monitoring unit 630. The system may include different sensors that allow monitoring a variety of different characteristics, including the viscosity of the fuel supply, its density, its temperature, its mass, its flow rate, the percentage of water content in the fuel supply, the percentage of sediment content, the percentage of sulfur content, the percentage of ash content, and the time it took to pump the fuel supply or the number of times pumping has been performed. In a preferred embodiment, the system includes a pressure sensor to measure the differential pressure across the flow meter, which is useful for correcting the measurements when entrained gas is included in the bunker fuel. Using the measured parameters and characteristics, an electronic Bunker Delivery Record (BDN) may be automatically created and populated. Other documents or certificates regarding the bunkering session may also be created and populated using the measurements. The electronic document created is digitally signed by the bunker master and then wirelessly transmitted to the receiving vessel's chief engineer, who can then countersign the document and send a copy back to the bunker master. According to one embodiment, the document may be transmitted to the cloud.

[0048] FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment with a gateway device 750 connected to a router 710 on the barge, e.g., a Sigma Cluster, via a physical local area network cable. In this embodiment, the monitoring unit 730 can store its measurements, or other data for monitoring the supply process, in a cloud 760 where it is accessible to authorized users wherever their location provides access to the cloud, e.g., using satellite or 4G communication technology. Whenever the vessel is in a location with access to the cloud, it can upload its measurement data and / or receive software or configuration changes from the cloud. Thus, the measurement data, video data, invoicing data, or any other data used to verify the supply process may be available to the client or other stakeholders in the supply process, preferably via a dashboard accessible via a web browser. Shown are the data capture or measurement device 720, as well as the monitoring unit 730, the wireless router 710, and a wireless access point 740 for establishing a point-to-point private bidirectional wireless link to the vessel.

[0049] According to one embodiment, the processor of the monitoring unit is configured to tear down the private network when the bunkering process is completed.

Claims

1. 1. A system for monitoring and verifying a supply process in which fluid is supplied from a supply vessel to a receiving vessel via a bunker line in accordance with pre-established contractual provisions, the system comprising: a data capture device configured to capture data relating to the supply process; a monitoring unit operatively connected to the data capture device for receiving data relating to the supply process, the monitoring unit comprising: at least one processor configured to generate an electronic record including at least a portion of the received data relating to the supply process; and at least one memory for storing said electronic record and / or received data relating to said supply process; A monitoring unit comprising: Equipped with The system comprises: a first wireless transceiver operably connected to the monitoring unit, the first wireless transceiver configured to provide wireless access to the monitoring unit by one or more wireless communication devices of one or more authorized first users on the supply vessel; a second wireless transceiver operatively connected to the first wireless transceiver and configured to provide a point-to-point wireless link between the supply vessel and the receiving vessel; a third wireless transceiver located on the receiving vessel and configured to provide wireless access to the second wireless transceiver by one or more wireless communication devices of one or more authorized second users on the receiving vessel via the point-to-point wireless link; and a private local area network comprising: The processor is further configured to create a dashboard accessible to the first user and the second user having access to the private local area network, the dashboard configured to present the electronic record to the first user and the second user and to accept an electronic signature of each of the first user and the second user to indicate whether each of the first user and the second user, respectively, has positively verified the electronic record with respect to the pre-established contract terms, and the provisioning process is verified when both the first user and the second user have provided an electronic signature. A system characterized in that

2. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the data capture device is configured to capture the data over time during the supply process, and the processor of the monitoring unit is further configured to present all or a portion of the data captured by the data capture device in the dashboard as a stream over time.

3. 3. A system as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the data capture device, the monitoring unit, and the first and second wireless transceivers are located on the supply vessel, and wherein the first measurement device is connected to the monitoring unit by a first physical electrical communication connection, and the monitoring unit is configured to be connected to the first wireless transceiver by an additional physical electrical communication connection.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the second wireless transceiver and the third wireless transceiver are configured to be positioned such that they can perform line-of-sight communications with each other.

5. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first wireless transceiver is a wireless router, the second wireless transceiver is a wireless access point, and the third wireless transceiver is a client of the wireless access point.

6. 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the data capture device is the first measurement device, the first measurement device engaged with the bunker line and further configured to measure a set of parameters related to one or more of a mass flow rate of fluid through at least a portion of the bunker line, a physical property of the fluid, a chemistry of the fluid, and a quality of the fluid.

7. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the data capture device is one of a computer memory or database in which at least a portion of data related to the supply process is captured, a timer that captures dates and / or times related to at least a portion of the supply process, a global position sensor that captures the position of the supply vessel and / or the receiving vessel during at least a portion of the supply process, and a video capture device that captures video data for at least a portion of the supply process.

8. The data capture device comprises a second measurement device comprising a mass flow meter configured to be inserted into the bunker line, data captured by the data capture device relating to a mass flow rate of fluid through at least a portion of the mass flow meter, the mass flow meter comprising a plurality of motion sensors each configured to provide an electrical signal as a function of movement of at least a portion of the mass flow meter to which the respective motion sensor is attached, and the second measurement device comprises at least driving at least a portion of the mass flowmeter to oscillate the at least a portion of the mass flowmeter; receiving the electrical signals from each of the motion sensors; Calculating a mass flow rate of fluid through the bunker line as a function of a phase difference between electrical signals from at least two of the motion sensors. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a transmitter configured to:

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the transmitter is further configured to calculate a density of the fluid based on a frequency of a received electrical signal from one or more of the motion sensors.

10. 10. The system of claim 8, wherein the second measurement device further comprises a flow computer configured to be operatively connected to the mass flow meter and configured to calculate a set of parameters based on at least a mass flow rate of a fluid through the mass flow meter and / or a density of a fluid measured by the mass flow meter, and wherein the flow computer and the mass flow meter are configured to form a combination certified by a metering station as being a combination that provides an accurate set of parameters.

11. 10. The system of claim 8 or 9, wherein the monitoring unit is configured to calculate a parameter set based on at least the mass flow rate of fluid through the mass flow meter and / or the density of fluid measured by the mass flow meter, and to form a combination of the mass flow meter and the monitoring unit that is certified by a metering station as being the combination that provides an accurate parameter set.

12. 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the second measurement device comprises one or more of a temperature sensor, one or more pressure sensors, a rheometer, a timer, and a chemical sensor, and the set of parameters includes one or more of a temperature of the fluid, a pressure of the fluid at at least a portion of the second measurement device or a pressure differential across a portion of the second measurement device, a viscosity of the fluid, a time taken to deliver all or a portion of the fluid, a moisture content in the fluid, a percentage of sediment content in the fluid, a percentage of sulfur content in the fluid, and a percentage of ash content in the fluid.

13. 11. The system of claim 10, further comprising a gateway device configured to be connected to the first wireless transceiver by an additional physical electrical communication connection, the gateway device configured to provide secure access to the wide area network by a processor of the monitoring unit, the processor configured to store the parameter set in a storage device of the wide area network, and the gateway device and the first wireless transceiver configured to provide secure access to the wide area network by one or more wireless communication devices of one or more first users on the supply vessel.

14. 1. A computer-implemented method for monitoring and verifying a supply process in which fluid is supplied from a supply vessel to a receiving vessel via a bunker line in accordance with pre-established contractual provisions, said method being performed automatically by a computer directed by computer software, said method comprising: capturing at least one data related to the supply process or measuring at least one set of parameters related to one or more of a mass flow rate of a fluid through at least a portion of the bunker line, a physical property of the fluid, a chemical property of the fluid, and a quality of the fluid; generating, using a processor, an electronic record including all or a portion of the captured data or at least one parameter of said parameter set; storing said electronic record in a memory; using the processor to create a dashboard, the dashboard configured to present the electronic record and to accept electronic signatures from at least two users to indicate whether each of the at least two users has positively verified the electronic record with respect to the pre-established contractual terms; providing access to the dashboard over a private local area network by wireless communication devices of at least one authorized first user on the supply vessel via a wireless router on the supply vessel; providing access to the dashboard over the private local area network by wireless communication equipment of at least one authorized second user on the receiving vessel via a point-to-point wireless communication channel between a wireless access point on the supply vessel and a wireless client device of the wireless access point, the wireless client device being on the receiving vessel; receiving, via the dashboard, an electronic signature of the authorized first user indicating whether the authorized first user has verified the electronic record with respect to the pre-established contractual terms and an electronic signature of the authorized second user indicating whether the authorized second user has verified the electronic record with respect to the pre-established contractual terms, wherein the supply process is verified when both electronic signatures are received; A method comprising:

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the electronic record is a bunker supply record.

16. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing a computer program which, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to carry out the method of either of claims 14 or 15.

17. A computer system loaded with a computer program for causing a computer to carry out the method of either of claims 14 or 15, said computer program being stored on a computer usable medium.

18. A computer program for causing a computer to carry out the method according to either of claims 14 or 15.

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