Basics of Mass Flow Controllers (MFCs)
MFCs work by measuring the mass of the process fluid flowing through them and using this information to control the flow rate. They typically use a flow sensor to measure the flow rate and a control valve to regulate the flow. The control valve is usually a variable area flow meter or a valve that can be opened or closed to adjust the flow rate.
MFCs are used in a variety of applications, including chemical processing, semiconductor manufacturing, and environmental monitoring. They are often used to control the flow of gases in chemical reactions, to regulate the flow of fluids in manufacturing processes, and to monitor and control the flow of gases in environmental monitoring systems.
MFCs are highly accurate and precise and can maintain a constant flow rate over a wide range of process conditions. They are also relatively easy to install and maintain and can be integrated into various process control systems.
There are many applications for mass flow controllers (MFCs) in process control. Some examples include:
- Chemical processing: MFCs can be used to control the flow of reactants and catalysts in chemical reactions, ensuring consistent product quality and yield.
- Food and beverage processing: MFCs can be used to control the flow of ingredients in the production of beverages, sauces, and other food products.
- Pharmaceutical manufacturing: MFCs can be used to control the flow of active ingredients and excipients in the production of medications.
- Petrochemical processing: MFCs can be used to control the flow of fluids in the refining and processing of oil and natural gas.
- Environmental control: MFCs can be used to control the flow of gases and liquids in air pollution control systems, water treatment plants, and other environmental applications.
- Semiconductor manufacturing: MFCs can be used to control the flow of gases and liquids in the production of semiconductor devices.
- Aerospace and defense: MFCs can be used to control the flow of gases and liquids in a variety of aerospace and defense applications, including propulsion systems, life support systems, and fuel systems.
For more information about mass flow controllers in NY, NJ, PA, DE, MD and OH contact Miller Energy, Inc. Call 800-631-5454 or visit https://millerenergy.com.
What is Refractometer Critical Angle Measurement?
Vaisala refractometers use the critical angle measurement principle. A refractometer's three essential components are a light source, a prism, and an image detector.
The light source sends rays to the prism and process interface at different angles. Rays with a steep angle partly reflect at the image detector and partially refract at the process. Low-angle rays reflect entirely on the detector. The angle from which the total reflection starts is called the critical angle.
The CCD camera detects a bright and dark field corresponding to partly reflected and totally reflected light. The position of the borderline between the bright and the dark area correlates with the critical angle, which is a function of the refractive index and correlates with the solution's concentration.
A built-in temperature sensor measures the temperature T on the interface of the process liquid. The sensor converts the refractive index nD and temperature T into concentration units.
Vaisala K-PATENTS refractometer can indicate different scales, for example, Brix, liquid density, or concentration by weight. The diagnostics program ensures that the measurement is reliable.
Miller Energy, Inc.
800-631-5454
On/Off Valves from Schubert & Salzer
Schubert & Salzer on/off valves are available in many configurations and sizes. Application solutions for almost any process are available using pneumatic or motorized actuators. Traditional globe pattern designs are available, as are angle globe seat valves with straight-through flow channels that reduce turbulence. All include a variety of end connections, including ANSI 150/300 flanges, threaded connections, tri-clamps, and weld ends. Valves provide millions of maintenance-free cycles in demanding applications such as steam, gaseous media, and contaminated liquids. Products include 316 stainless steel and bronze bodies, with actuator packages available in all stainless steel (including internals), heavy-duty metals, and lightweight plastics. Many features of motorized actuators include weather and water resistance, a variety of voltages, and fail-safe operation.
Angle seat valves:
Angle seat valves in the open/close or control designs have a particularly compact construction and can execute many switch cycles. In all of its variations, the valve's architecture provides a very efficient flow rate and can even install in mildly contaminated media.
Flange valves:
Flange valves are more accessible to remove from pipes than screwed valves at bigger diameters. This range fits various connection standards associated with angle and straight-flanged seat valves.
Three-way valves:
Three-way valves perform various activities, including mixing and distributing media flows and charging and discharging a functional component (e.g., a pressure cylinder).
For more information about Schubert & Salzer on/off products in NY, NJ, PA, DE, MD and OH contact Miller Energy, Inc. Call 800-631-5454 or visit https://millerenergy.com.
Brooks Instrument GP200 Pressure-based Mass Flow Controllers (MFC): Theory of Operation
Brooks Instrument presents the theory of operation behind their pressure-based mass flow controller (P-MFC) from their GP200 series in this video. This P-MFC has a unique design approach for enhanced process performance without the limitations of today's traditional P-MFCs. A traditional P-MFC system includes:
- An upstream pressure transducer.
- An upstream control valve.
- Two individual pressure transducers.
- Laminar flow element.
The use of an upstream valve has many disadvantages. This design requires high pressure making it sub-optimal for critical low-pressure gases and low full-scale flow rate. It also means matching the two individual pressure transducers perfectly.
Brooks Instrument designed a patented integrated differential pressure transducer, GP200 P-MFC, to address the disadvantages. The GP200 has one actual differential transducer instead of two, eliminating the need to match the two individual pressure transducers, significantly reducing measurement uncertainty, and improving accuracy, particularly for critical low vapor pressure process gases. Its downstream valve architecture will operate at much lower inlet pressures and across a broader range of pressures. The downstream valve also minimizes the bleed-down effect and ensures that the device is insensitive to dynamic outlet conditions.
The GP200 Series P-MFC features a patented architecture that overcomes the limitations of conventional P-MFCs to provide the most precise process gas delivery even when delivering low vapor pressure process gases. It includes several unique design aspects, including an integrated differential pressure sensor coupled with a downstream valve architecture enabling the most precise process gas delivery over the industry's broadest range of operating conditions.
Since GP200 Series supports a broad range of process conditions, it can be used as a drop-in replacement and upgrade for many traditional P-MFCs and thermal MFCs. It reduces the complexity and cost of ownership of the gas delivery system because it eliminates the need for components such as pressure regulators and transducers.
GP200 FEATURES
- True differential pressure measurement
- Lower inlet pressure operation
- Downstream valve architecture
- Matched transient response
- Zero Leak-by Control Valve
- MultiFlo™ technology offers unparalleled flexibility—one device can be programmed for thousands of different gas and flow range configurations without removing the MFC from the gas line or compromising accuracy
- Local display indicates flow, temperature, pressure and network address
- DeviceNet™, EtherCAT®, RS-485 L-Protocol and analog interfaces
GP200 BENEFITS
- By removing the requirement to match and compensate two separate pressure transducers, the GP200 differential pressure technology reduces measurement uncertainty for enhanced accuracy, repeatability and drift performance.
- Safer fab operation at lower inlet pressures is now achievable with a P-MFC due to the GP200 differential pressure sensor that is specifically optimized for low differential pressure measurement.
- The downstream valve architecture ensures accuracy is independent of downstream pressure, enabling flow delivery into pressures as high as 1200 Torr. The fast closing valve addresses non-productive recipe wait times, or "tail effects," seen in upstream MFC valve designs that require additional time to bleed down their internal volume of gas.
- Ultra-fast, highly repeatable ascending and descending flow stabilization time enables tighter process control in advanced high cycle Deposition and Etch processes.
- 100X improvement in valve shut-down
- With MultiFlo™, MFC full scale flow range can be re-scaled down typically by a factor of 3:1 with no impact on accuracy, turndown or leak by specifications, for optimum process and inventory flexibility
- Convenient user display and independent diagnostic/service port aids device installation, monitoring and troubleshooting
For more information about Brooks Instrument products, contact Miller Energy, Inc. Call 800-631-5454 or visit https://millerenergy.com.
Industrial Automated Ball Valves from Miller Energy
Oil & Gas, Refining, Petrochemical, Chemical Processing, Pulp & Paper, Mining, Transportation, Food and Beverage, Pharmaceuticals, Marine, HVAC, Power, and other industries rely on Miller Energy for high-performance ball valve automation.
Miller Energy supplies automated ball valve assemblies ranging from 1/2 inch to 48 inch, providing first-rate quality, exceptional performance, and long-term reliability. Before shipping from the factory, every valve assembly is inspected and tested by the valve automation shop.
A-T Controls valve automation center creates high quality ball valve assemblies, significantly reducing the time you need to spend on the project site. Automation professionals get extensive training, and each valve assembly, pneumatic or electric, is put through a battery of functional tests before being sent to customers. All valve assemblies go through a process of inspection and validation utilizing quality assurance documentation that is numbered and labeled. On request, we can provide you with assembly drawings, actuator size verification, and datasheets.
With access to inventory and highly skilled teams, Miller Energy delivers the customer solutions required to meet most valve and actuator needs while giving both a reasonable price and the industry's quickest turnaround.
Phone: 800-631-5454
The Magnetrol-AMETEK Genesis™ Multiphase Detector
Multiphase level measurements exist throughout process industries. They are especially significant in the oil & gas and petrochemical sectors due to the value of effectively separating water and hydrocarbon.
While level instrumentation has come a long way in measuring liquids of all varieties, multiphase level measurement is many times the most significant challenge and opportunity today.
The Genesis™ Multiphase Detector from Magnetrol measures multiple phases in applications with thick and dynamic emulsion layers:
- Vapor phase
- Total level (e.g., hydrocarbon liquid)
- Top of the emulsion layer
- Bottom of emulsion layer (e.g., water level)
- Sediment
With Magnetrol's breakthrough in TDR-based level instrumentation, continuously measuring dynamic conditions in the most challenging types of separators is now achievable.
To learn more about Genesis™ Multiphase Detector from Magnetrol contact Miller Energy, Inc.
Phone: 800-631-5454
Schubert & Salzer Sliding Gate Control Valves from Miller Energy
The sliding gate control valve from Schubert & Salzer has an innovative design that allows it to handle complicated applications requiring precise control under challenging circumstances. The sliding gate valve's actuation power is roughly 10% that of a globe valve of the same nominal size and differential pressure, even if both designs have almost the same flow rate.
The valve handles steam, liquids, and gases. Sliding gate valves outperform traditional control valves and use smaller actuators because they require reduced actuating force. They provide lower weight and reduced installation dimensions due to the space-saving wafer design, especially in nominal sizes mid-large.
Due to the unique design, harmful cavitation zones occur 1 - 2 meters beyond the valve in the case of a sliding gate valve, placing the destructive cavitation bubbles downstream, in the pipeline's center, causing no damage.
6 Reasons to Choose Brooks SLA Series Mass Flow Controllers
As firms migrate from Fieldbus to Ethernet networks, EtherNet/IP™ and PROFINET are the fastest growing digital communication technologies in industrial automation. They ship the newest industrial ethernet nodes, almost 64% of the market. EtherNet/IP ™and PROFINET enable users to collect relevant data that helps keep essential systems on track by linking devices to a single network. Information sent across EtherNet/IP™ and PROFINET networks provides better diagnostics, deviation alarms, and predictive maintenance, maximizing system uptime and lowering costs.
As a result of this collaboration, Brooks Instrument has added EtherNet/IP™ and PROFINET protocols to its industry-leading SLA Series mass flow controllers (MFCs). The SLA5800 and SLAMf mass flow controllers support EtherNet/IP™ or PROFINET protocols and include advanced alarm and diagnostic capabilities.
Industry's Leading Ethernet Protocol Adoptions: EtherNet/IP™ and PROFINET
The value proposition for EtherNet/IP™ and PROFINET is standard Internet and ethernet protocols.
- Options for star, ring, or daisy chain topologies.
- Operators can monitor real-time performance and network data by complying with IEEE Ethernet standards.
- Flexible network architecture compatible with ordinary Cat 5 cabling and routers simplifies network setup and guarantees all devices interact and exchange data.
- EtherNetIPTM and PROFINETTM enabled devices can provide rich data for process control, monitoring, diagnostics, and predictive maintenance.
REASON 1: OPEN, NON-PROPRIETARY, AND FUTURE-PROOF.
Because EtherNet/IP™ and PROFINET use the Common Industrial Protocol (CIP™), support exists from a vast ecosystem of solution providers for industrial process automation. EtherNet/IP™ and PROFINET readily connect to a wide range of DCSs and PLCs, including:
- Allen-Bradley
- Emerson
- Siemens
- Rockwell
REASON 2: INTEROPERABLE WITH INDUSTRY-LEADING CONTROL SYSTEMS THROUGH ETHERNET/IP™ AND PROFINET
Due to the ability of contract manufacturers and end-users to use the EtherNet/IP™ and PROFINET protocols to:
- Cut operating costs
- Boost process efficiency, quality, yield, and output.
REASON 3: PLUG & PLAY INTEGRATION WITH ROCKWELL AUTOMATION (ALLEN-BRADLEY) PLCS.
Brooks Instrument engineers worked with Rockwell Automation to provide an upgraded device profile that simplifies the setup and integration of the MFC into the Rockwell Automation (Allen-Bradley) PLC. The SLA5800 and SLAMf are now compatible with EtherNet/IP™ from renowned automation manufacturers.The upgraded device/add-on profile:
- Setup or edit any of the attribute tabs or parameters. The user determines which attributes are appropriate for their procedure.
- Removes the requirement for programming expertise to connect the MFC to the network.
REASON 4: SLA5800 AND SLAMF FULLY INTEGRATE ETHERNET/IP™ AND PROFINET.
On the SLA5800 and SLAMf with EtherNet/IP™ or PROFINET, we deliver on our promise to provide value without losing equipment space. Brooks Instrument designed EtherNet/IP™ and PROFINET directly into the mass flow controller, eliminating the need for add-on adapters or modules. The SLA5800 and SLAMf MFCs completely integrate EtherNet/IP™ and PROFINET. The EtherNet/IP™ or PROFINET equipped SLA5800 and SLAMf MFCs have the same footprint as the regular SLA5800 and SLAMf. They also link to your EtherNet/IP™ or PROFINET networks, eliminating the need for additional hardware such as gateways, analog I/O cards, or bespoke cabling and wires. All you need is standard ethernet wiring to get your device running and linked to the network.
REASON 5 : EASY WEB-BASED CONFIGURATION OF ETHERNET/IP™ AND PROFINET NETWORK SETTINGS IN SLA5800 AND SLAMF.
The SLA5800 and SLAMf with EtherNet/IP™ or PROFINET have a user-friendly TCP/IP configuration. A web-based interface connects the MFC to the user's EtherNet/IP™ or PROFINET networks. Once on the network, the user can quickly identify individual MFCs, saving time if the system has several MFCs.
REASON 6: THE LATEST DIAGNOSTICS AND PREDICTIVE FUNCTIONS, SOME EXCLUSIVE TO BROOKS INSTRUMENT MFCS, ARE ENABLED BY ETHERNET/IP™ AND PROFINET PROTOCOLS.
Intelligent and data-rich mass flow controllers, the SLA5800 and SLAMf with EtherNet/IP™ or PROFINET may improve operational efficiency in equipment automation, metrology, and maintenance.For example, limiting the upstream gas input pressure may affect MFC accuracy. The alarm data could be supplied to an operator via the built-in restricted flow alarm.
https://millerenergy.com
Miller Energy Is a Premier Manufacturer's Representative and Distributor of Process Instrumentation, Valves and Process Equipment
Miller Energy is an Industrial Instrumentation and Process Control Equipment Manufacturer's Representative and Distributor. We have been committed to exceeding our customers' expectations by providing unrivaled customer service and local technical support since 1958. We currently offer the most comprehensive range of measurement, control, and communication solutions in the industry.
Miller Energy provides a wide range of instrumentation and control solutions to many markets, including refining, water treatment, chemical production, and food and beverage. Miller's products are useful in applications that require measuring, controlling, monitoring, and analyzing pressure, temperature, level, flow, pH, O2, CO2, and various other process variables.
Miller Energy comprises the most technically savvy salespeople in the industry. All Field Sales Engineers are factory trained on all of our product lines. All Inside Sales/Technical Support Engineers are responsible for a specific product line and support our entire customer base. Intelligent geographic product distribution provides the most timely delivery for greater customer satisfaction.
Miller Energy has four office locations:
- The South Plainfield, NJ, corporate headquarters serves Northern New Jersey, New York, and Fairfield County, Connecticut.
- The Exton, PA office serves Southern New Jersey, Eastern Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland.
- The Pittsburgh, PA location serves Western Pennsylvania, Western Maryland, and West Virginia.
- The Cleveland, OH office serves Ohio.
Miller Energy, Inc.
In New York Metro and Northern NJ
Phone: 800-631-5454
In Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware:
Phone: 610-363-6200
In Western Pennsylvania:
Phone: 412-257-0200
In Ohio:
Phone: 440-735-0100
Vaisala K Patents Refractometers - Refractive Index Measurement
Vaisala K-PATENTS Process Refractometers provide in-line solids and density measurement for liquids for process control and industrial automation.
Vaisala K-PATENTS Process Refractometers are commonly used to determine the liquid concentration or density. This measurement has been an essential element in the processing industries for over a century in all sectors, including refining, paper production, pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, and chemical manufacturing. ,
The measurement principle is critical angle measurement. The refractometer has three main components: a light source, a prism, and an image detector.
The light source sends light rays to the prism and process interface at different angles. Rays with a steep angle are partly reflected in the image detector and partially refracted to the process. The angle from which the total reflection starts is called the critical angle. A CCD camera detects a bright field and a dark field corresponding to partly reflected light and totally reflected light. The borderline position between the bright and the dark area correlates with the critical angle which is a function of the refractive index and therefore correlates with the concentration of the solution.
For more information in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Ohio, West Virginia and Western Maryland contact Miller Energy. Call 800-631-5454 or visit https://millerenergy.com.
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