ASTEC Digital brings asphalt tank monitoring to more users with a standalone LiveTank app

LiveTank sends users text-based push alerts if their tanks and boilers aren’t running within their set parameters, and any faults will trigger a loud sound and a push notification. 

Having up-to-date information on the state of a site’s liquid tank farms is crucial for asphalt plant operators and leaders. If the tank’s heat goes off overnight, turning the bitumen inside cold and more solid, that can set back the day’s production by at least a couple of hours.

“There are all these downstream things, like the company’s paving operations, that are now affected because they’re unable to produce,” says Caleb Wooten, manager of product development for controls at ASTEC Digital.

ASTEC Digital has long enabled plant managers to monitor the state of their tank farms and receive notifications in case of issues or failures from anywhere they have cell phone reception, with the LiveTank mobile app and desktop version. With real-time information on key tank farm and boiler metrics, including tank temperature, material levels, hot and warm oil temperature, pump status, and burner status, managers can troubleshoot issues as they arise, getting production back on track as quickly as possible. 

Now, the company is bringing those capabilities to even more users with a standalone version of LiveTank. While the original version of the app relies on real-time data being fed from one of ASTEC Digital’s asphalt plant control and automation systems (whether DrumTronic, BatchTronic, EmulTronic, or PM3), the standalone version will leverage an on-premise monitoring system to send data to the app. LiveTank is compatible with third-party sensors.

The app allows asphalt plant operators and managers to remotely monitor liquid tank farms, including bitumen, emulsion, fluxing, and additives. The app also allows for the monitoring of tank heating and boilers. Through LiveTank’s advanced mode, users can enable capabilities for controlling specific tanks, with settings including stop heating, force heating, following a schedule, and setting temperature.

Users receive text-based push alerts if their tanks and boilers aren’t running within their set parameters, and any faults will trigger a loud sound and a push notification. 

“It gives you the information you need to be able to make decisions when it comes to the tank farm portion of the plant,” says Wooten. 

Wooten says the standalone app could also be useful for dispatchers who need to know when to order more liquid materials.

The standalone LiveTank app is available on the Android Play Store and Apple App Store.

Optimize your operations with intuitive, precise, intelligent asphalt plant control systems. ASTEC Digital’s telematics and plant control systems simplify and improve equipment, plant management, and paving operations for the rock to road industry. Visit our website to learn more.