Monitoring system and method

A monitoring system for use when loading fluid to or from a rail tanker via a loader apparatus, the monitoring system having:

• a track electrical connector for coupling to a rail track;
• a tank electrical connector for coupling to a tank on a rail car;
• a loader electrical connector for coupling to the loader apparatus;
• and
• circuitry configured to determine a status of electrical continuity between the tank on the rail car, the rail track and the loader.

A method for monitoring the loading of fluid from a source tank to a destination tank via a loader apparatus using a monitoring system having a source tank electrical connector, a destination tank electrical connector, a loader electrical connector for coupling to the loader apparatus and a sensor input, the method comprising:

• coupling the source tank electrical connector to the source tank;
• coupling the destination tank electrical connector to the destination tank;
• receiving a sensor signal from a fill level sensor in the destination tank at the sensor input;
• and
• controlling the loading operation in accordance with a status of an electrical continuity between the loader apparatus and the source tank, a status of an electrical continuity between the loader apparatus and the destination tank and a fill level status derived from the sensor signal.

A method for monitoring the loading of fluid to or from a tank on a rail car via a loader apparatus using a monitoring system having a track electrical connector, a tank electrical connector and a loader electrical connector for coupling to the loader apparatus, the method comprising:

• coupling the track electrical connector to a rail track;
• coupling the tank electrical connector to the tank on the rail car;
• and
• controlling the loading operation in accordance with a status of an electrical continuity between the tank on the rail track, the loader apparatus and the rail track.

A loader apparatus for loading fluid to or from a tank, comprising:

• a base;
• a fluid conduit mounted on the base for engaging with the tank, the fluid conduit having a proximal end and a distal end with respect to the base;
• and
• a monitoring system comprising circuitry configured to determine a status of an electrical continuity between the distal end of the fluid conduit and the base.