Safety Transmitter for Temperature and Pressure in Industrial Processes

One Series Safety Transmitters
Courtesy United Electric Controls

United Electric Controls has developed a safety transmitter that combines transmitter, safety switch, and display gauge in a single, easily deployed device. The One Series Safety Transmitter includes the manufacturer's patented self diagnostics, along with diverse and redundant signal processing that feed algorithms to detect and respond to internal faults and process abnormalities.

The safety transmitter provides a local switch that can be used for rapid emergency shutdown at the point of measurement or detection, eliminating the need to communicate with other safety controllers and await a response. The safety relay output is programmable and can handle high voltages and currents associated with shutting down control valves, compressors, and other industrial equipment.

In addition to the safety relay output, the One Series Safety Transmitter provides logic outputs that can be employed in voting logic schemes often used to produce warnings prior to a shutdown. For reliability, the unit employs no moving parts and includes self diagnostics with a local display of device status.

There is a whole lot more to learn about these "Safety right out of the box" industrial pressure and temperature transmitters. The product brochure is provided below, but you can get the latest and most detailed product and application information from a specialist in industrial process measurement and control.

United Electric One Series Safety Transmitter from Miller Energy, Inc.

Thermal Mass Flow Controller - Product Enhancement

Newly Enhanced Thermal Mass Flow Meters
And Electronic Pressure Controllers
Courtesy Brooks Instrument

Brooks Instrument, world recognized leader in thermal mass flow controllers and mass flow meters, has improved upon its premier family of smart digital thermal mass flow controllers and meters. The newly enhanced SLA Series features:

Enhanced temperature stability
Upgraded electronics
Improved accuracy
Zero-drift diagnostics
High turndown ratio

Multiple communication protocol support, and more.

The video included below will show you all the latest improvements on this product line that has thousands of units in its installed base throughout many industries and applications.

Application assistance and detailed information is available from product specialists. Combine their product and application knowledge with your own process expertise to generate a positive outcome.

Industrial Process Application of Tunable Diode Laser Gas Analyzer

Yokogawa TDLS200 Tunable Diode Laser Gas Analyzer
Photo courtesy Yokogawa Corp.

Yokogawa continues to innovate in the industrial process measurement and control field with their TDLS200 Gas Analyzer. Based on tunable diode laser spectroscopy, these industrial instruments offer calibration stability and fast in situ measurement. They can also be applied in a manner that avoids interference from other gases present in the sample. In the company's own words...

The new Yokogawa TruePeak Tunable Diode Laser Spectroscopy (TDLS200) Analyzer is one of the most robust process analyzers available designed to make fast, accurate measurements on near-infrared absorbing gases in harsh process environments, where conditions are of high temperature or pressure, it can be used under difficult conditions including environments involving corrosive, aggressive and high particulate content materials. 

The TruePeak Tunable Diode Laser Spectroscopy (TDLS200) Analyzer is ideally suited to in-situ analysis, particularly for measurements in environments involving changing pressure or temperature. It can operate with process pressures up to 20 bar absolute and process temperature up to 1500°C, has a fast response (from 2 to 20 seconds), and is interference-free for most applications. 

It can measure Carbon monoxide (CO), from low ppm detection limits to percentage levels at process temperatures of up to 1500°C. The analyzer can also be used for measuring parts per million moisture content in corrosive and aggressive process streams including chlorine and hydrocarbons.

The industrial applications for this technology, integrated into an intuitive and user-friendly equipment package, are extensive. Included below is a white paper authored by the company that explains the operating principles, installation and configuration, and capabilities of the unit. Contact a product specialist about your gas measurement and analysis requirements. See how the capabilities of the TDLS200 can improve your process performance.

Yokogawa tunable diode laser gas analyzer and its application to industrial process measurement and control from Miller Energy, Inc.

High Speed, High Performance Control for Weighing Operations

Industrial Batch Process Tanks

Industrial process control implies the presence of industrial process measurement. Throughout our operations, we seek to measure "how much" of something is present. In the case of many materials, weight is the preferred measurement.


Weight is a measurement of force. We can use it as a statement of "how much" because gravity is considered constant across the planet surface. The force I measure for a batch of material in the US will, for commercial purposes, be the same force measured for that material after I ship it to somewhere else. Measurement of weight can be used for establishing proper mixing ratios of components to be combined in a particular manner. The level of material in a tank or other container can be ascertained through a measurement of weight.

In our processes, higher throughput and accuracy are always in demand.

The Vishay Precision Group's BLH/Nobel Weighing Systems operating unit manufactures a high speed, high performance control for industrial weight/force measurement applications. Their G4 line of controllers provides the user a wide range of configurable options, from multiple input channels to analog and digital outputs. The clean user interface provides access to all functions and channels and the unit is available as a freestanding desktop, DIN rail mount, or panel mount unit. There is also a model configured for harsh environments.

The video below provides a good overview of the unit and its potential applications. Contact a product specialist to receive more details, or to discuss how the G4 might be helpful to your process operation.

New Product From United Electric - Hybrid Transmitter for Industrial Use

Series One HART Transmitter
Courtesy United Electric

By mid November, United Electric will begin shipping its new One Series hybrid transmitter-switch models that include HART® Communications Protocol. The newly designed product offering includes a transmitter-only model, as well as another model providing a transmitter plus two solid-state relays. Monitoring pressure or temperature in harsh, hazardous and heavy industrial process measurement and control settings is the target application for these loop-powered transmitters. Models will include UL and ATEX approvals for Divisions 1 & 2 (Zones 1 and 2). With the introduction of the One Series, UE is declaring a number of older models obsolete. You can get a listing of the newly obsolete models from your local UE distributor.

The new combination transmitter and switch model provides a HART® 7 loop-powered transmitter, and includes two programmable solid-state relays, an improved backlit LCD display, and a separate IAWTM health status discrete output.The transmitter-only model is a HART® 7 loop-powered transmitter and also features an improved backlit LCD display.

Some operational benefits, quoted directly from United Electric's product announcement documentation:

• With HART® 7 capability, all of the functions available with the two-button keypad are also available via the HART® Communications Protocol. Using a HART®-compatible hand held communicator or a PC with a HART® modem and appropriate asset management software, users have the ability to quickly configure the One Series, including the switching parameters, and save the configuration in their library for cloning additional controls with the same parameters. We believe this is the only Division 1 electronic switch on the market with HART compatibility!
• If the units are connected to a control system with HART® IO allowing bi-directional communication, configuration can be performed remotely, without the need to remove the enclosure cover in a Division 1 (Zone 1) area.
• Using a HART® capable asset management system, the comprehensive diagnostic functions of the One Series can determine the health status 24x7, saving time and money while allowing operators to focus on other critical issues.
• For cybersecurity purposes, the HART® communications can be set to read-only mode that prohibits parameter changes from unauthorized users and creating a potentially dangerous condition.

You can explore these new products in more detail with your United Electric distributor, taking advantage of their freshly acquired new product knowledge. Find out how the advanced new features of the One Series transmitters can enhance the operation and management of your industrial process.

Recording, Data Logging, and Process Control - Consolidated or Separate Devices?

Integrated  Controller and Data Acquisition Device
Courtesy Yokogawa

Are you a designer or builder of process control systems? Selecting hardware and componentry to provide the functionality, accuracy, and accessibility required to meet process or equipment performance demands can pose some very distinct challenges. When faced with a scope of work that includes multiple PID control loops, data recording, and networking, do you tend to favor using a collection of separate devices for each function, or a consolidated unit that integrates all of the needed functions?

I have designed many control systems throughout my career, and tended toward using separate devices initially. As I gained experience and the feedback that comes from having units in the field for a number of years, my thinking changed and my preference for integrated "single box" solutions began to predominate.

Some reasons to use a consolidated device:

• Likely to take up less panel space than a combination of individual devices.
• Substantially reduced wiring, cabling.
• No tasks associated with getting individual devices to work together, if that is needed. The integrated unit comes out of the box with all of that already accomplished.
• Reduced parts count.
• Simplified panel wiring plan.
• A single HMI encompassing all the provided functions.
• Anyone, end users, service techs, trainers, quality control, that needs to learn about the operation of the system has a single instruction manual to review or learn. Since the functions all come in one unit, there is often some streamlining to the learning process.
• OEMs may be able to use a single component to provide the necessary functions for numerous product versions, bringing measurable time savings throughout the product design, fabrication, and support functions of their organization.
• If spares are required, there is only one.

I have enjoyed good results employing devices that combine numerous functions into a single package. There is a data sheet below, so you can see more about an industrial control, recording, networking device that packs a useful range of functions into a compact unit. 

On your next process control project, consider whether going consolidated or discrete is better for your needs. Talk to a process controls expert and get some additional input. Good solutions are out there.

Yokogawa CX 2000 DAQ Station from Miller Energy, Inc.

Five Things to Know About Process Instrument Protection

Wireless Process Instrument
Courtesy Yokogawa 

The performance of every process is critical to something or someone. Keeping a process operating within specification requires measurement, and it requires some element of control. The devices we use to measure process variables, while necessary and critical in their own right, are also a possible source of failure for the process itself. Lose the output of your process instrumentation and you can incur substantial consequences ranging from minor to near catastrophic.

Just as your PLC or other master control system emulates decision patterns regarding the process, the measurement instrumentation functions as the sensory input array to that decision making device. Careful consideration when designing the instrumentation layout, as well as reviewing these five common sense recommendations will help you avoid instrument and process downtime.

Process generated extremes can make your device fail.
Search and plan for potential vibration, shock, temperature, pressure, or other excursions from the normal operating range that might result from normal or unexpected operation of the process equipment. Develop knowledge about what the possible process conditions might be, given the capabilities of the installed process machinery. Consult with instrument vendors about protective devices that can be installed to provide additional layers of protection for valuable instruments. Often, the protective devices are simple and relatively inexpensive.

Don't forget about the weather.
Certainly, if you have any part of the process installed outdoors, you need to be familiar with the range of possible weather conditions. Weather data is available for almost anywhere in the world, certainly in the developed world. Find out what the most extreme conditions have been at the installation site....ever. Planning and designing for improbable conditions, even adding a little headroom, can keep your process up when others may be down.
Keep in mind, also, that outdoor conditions can impact indoor conditions in buildings without climate control systems that maintain a steady state. This can be especially important when considering moisture content of the indoor air and potential for condensate to accumulate on instrument housings and electrical components. Extreme conditions of condensing atmospheric moisture can produce dripping water.

Know the security exposure of your devices.
With the prevalence of networked devices, consideration of who might commit acts of malice against the process or its stakeholders, and how they might go about it, should be an element of all project designs. A real or virtual intruder's ability to impact process operation through its measuring devices should be well understood. With that understanding, barriers can be put in place to detect or prevent any occurrences.

Physical contact hazards
Strike a balance between convenience and safety for measurement instrumentation. Access for calibration, maintenance, or observation are needed, but avoiding placement of devices in areas of human traffic can deliver good returns by reducing the probability of damage to the instruments. Everybody is trained, everybody is careful, but uncontrolled carts, dropped tools and boxes, and a host of other unexpected mishaps do happen from time to time, with the power to inject disorder into your world. Consider guards and physical barriers as additional layers of insurance.

Know moisture.
Electronics must be protected from harmful effects of moisture. Where there is air, there is usually moisture. Certain conditions related to weather or process operation may result in moisture laden air that can enter device enclosures. Guarding against the formation of condensate on electronics, and providing for the automatic discharge of any accumulated liquid is essential to avoiding failure. Many instrument enclosures are provided with a means to discharge moisture. Make sure installation instructions are followed and alterations are not made that inadvertently disable these functions.

Developing a thoughtful installation plan, along with reasonable maintenance, will result in an industrial process that is hardened against a long list of potential malfunctions. Discuss your application concerns with your instrument sales engineer. Their exposure to many different installations and applications, combined with your knowledge of the process and local conditions, will produce a positive outcome.

Application Advantages of Wireless Sensors for Process Measurement and Control

Industrial Wireless Access Point
Courtesy Yokogawa

Wireless sensor technology is not new, but is still in an adoptive stage in many industries. New technologies are commonly adopted first by companies and industries that can justify the premium cost of newly released technology. The adoption process is similar to that of business computers. Early models were incredibly expensive to purchase and required a very large budget to keep operational. As time passed, the machines became less expensive to purchase and own, allowing a greater segment of the business world to justify their purchase and use. Wireless process measurement and control is following a similar path, with more and more facilities considering the potential for application of these devices.

I had always considered wireless sensing devices as a great way to be rid of cabling, but limited my thinking to fixed installations. A personal confession....Sometimes it's really hard to get my mind out of the box when I tape it shut. Anyway, I came across this application case from Yokogawa, a leading worldwide manufacturer of process measurement and control equipment and an enormous array of other industrial equipment. The case study illustrates how a tire manufacturing operation used wireless sensing technology to enhance the performance of their pressure test setup. The case study, shown below, shows the actual product part numbers used and provides a schematic and description of how the system was beneficially used. After my own reading of the case, I am now thinking of more potential applications that could benefit from a wireless configuration.

Read the case, it's short and concise. A sales engineer can provide you detailed information on the specific products used in the application. If you come up with some potential wireless process measurement applications of your own, contact an application specialist and explore the possibilities.

Wireless Process Measurement - Case Study of Plant Floor Testing Rack from Miller Energy, Inc.

Know Your Control Valve Basics?

Industrial Control Valve Cutaway View
Courtesy Cashco

Understanding basic operation and function of control valves, an integral part of many industrial process control loops, is essential for the process engineer, operator, or other stakeholder. This presentation outlines control valve operation, major components, and terminology used to describe valve parts, functions, and principles of operation. A useful reference for stakeholders in need of a refresher course in order to understand what the engineers are saying, it also provides detailed illustrations, charts, and description that will prove valuable to the more technical minded.


What you will find:

• Terminology: A glossary of terms commonly used in the control valve world.
• Control Valve Basic Designs: Control valve classifications, cutaway illustrations showing the operating structure of different valve types, comparisons of varying valve designs.
• Characterization and Trim Design: Flow characteristic curves and comparisons for different valve types, showing how flow responds to valve position change.
• Control Valve Technical Considerations: FTC vs FTO, illustrations showing valve operation.
• Force-Balance Principle: Illustration and formula explanations of this basic operating principle.
• Actuator Basic Designs: Illustrations showing the differing arrangements for actuator operation.
• Control Valve Unit Action: Illustrations, diagrams, and explanations of a range of valve operating conditions, including loss of electrical power and loss of instrument air supply.
• Actuator Benchset Range: Shows practical relationship between instrument air pressure and valve ability to properly operate at various pressure conditions.
• Valve Positioner Basics: Definition of valve positioning, reasons to use a positioner, schematic illustrations of control loops.
• Control Loop Action: Charts and provides examples of 16 combinations of Process, Controller, Positioner, and Control Valve combinations.
• Control Valve Packing Designs: Describes and defines packing, common problems, current state of the art. Cutaway illustrations of various packing arrangements.
• Seat Leakage: Classifications, comparisons of different materials.

There is something of value in the document for everyone, and you will undoubtedly pick up something useful. Thanks go out to the engineers at Cashco for putting this together. You can discuss any aspect of your control valve applications with a product specialist. Your contact is always welcome.

Basic Operation & Function of Industrial Control Valves from Miller Energy, Inc.

Eliminate Glass Tube Level Gauge Maintenance Costs

Magnetic Level Indicators
Courtesy Orion Instruments

Industrial process control often requires the accurate measurement of liquid level within a tank or other vessel. There are numerous device technologies and vendors from which to choose. A recent post on this blog detailed one of the available methodologies, the magnetic level indicator. I urge you to review that short post to familiarize yourself with the operating principles and advantages of applying a magnetic level indicator, not only on future projects, but as a possible replacement of some of your existing level indication instruments.

Orion Instruments, a Magnetrol company, has authored a case study showing how the replacement of glass tube level gauges with magnetic level indicators can reap substantial cost savings over the product lifetime. The case study, included below, takes but one minute of your time to read, and delivers a compelling incentive to consider magnetic level indicators (MLI) for your new projects, even as cost saving replacements for existing glass tube level gauges.

Read the case study. Contact a product specialist to discuss your application for new or replacement level indicators.

Orion instruments magnetic level indicators case study from Miller Energy, Inc.

Magnetic Level Indicators - Knowledge Base and Selection Guide

Magnetic Level Indicators
Courtesy Orion Instruments

Industrial process control frequently involves the storage of liquid in vessels or tanks. Continuous and accurate indication of liquid level within the tank is an essential data point for safety and process management. While there are a number of methods and instrument types utilized to provide tank level measurement, the instrument of choice is often a magnetic level indicator, also referred to as a magnetic level gauge. Its use for providing level indication has a number of positive attributes:

• Construction that is resistant to breakage.

• Measuring indicators, switches, and transmitters mounted externally, without contacting the medium being measured.

• Maintenance free operation. No regular cleaning needed.

• Readable level indication from greater distance than glass sight gauges.

• Magnetic level indicators can accommodate greater fluid level ranges without the need for multiple instruments.

Orion Instruments, a Magnetrol company and industry leader, has produced a comprehensive guide to magnetic level gauges, switches, transmitters, and related products. It delivers experts and newcomers an understandable and clear description of the technology and principals of operation behind magnetic level gauges and instruments. The guide also assists the reader in properly specifying and selecting the best instrument configuration for an application. A table of contents at the front of the document helps readers to quickly find the information they need.

Take a couple minutes to roll through the document and you are likely to find new and useful application tips and product information. Any questions about magnetic level indicators or your process measurement and control applications can be clearly addressed by a product specialist.

Orion instruments magnetic level gauge & instrument selection guide from Miller Energy, Inc.

Process Gas Chromatograph with Practical Implementation of Parallel Chromatography

GC8000
Process Gas Chromatograph
Courtesy Yokogawa Corp.

Gas chromatography is a common analysis tool employed in many areas of industry, including oil and gas, pharmaceutical, chemical, and others. Yokogawa Corporation of America has developed and been delivering top tier GC performance with their GC8000 Process Gas Chromatograph for use in oil and gas, and other industrial applications.

In addition to the ruggedness and reliability for which Yokogawa gas chromatographs are well known, the GC8000 brings a number of innovations and improvements to the company’s process gas chromatography product offering.

> Color touchscreen HMI for easy operation

> Advanced predictive diagnostics and software functions monitor key performance indicators during each analysis to verify analyzer is operating within proper tolerances.

> Parallel chromatography is made practical through the use of the GC Modules provided as part of the GC8000. Virtual GCs can be set up inside a single GC with GC Modules to measure multiple streams simultaneously.

The graphics below expand on this overview of the GC8000 Process Gas Chromatograph, the culmination of Yokogawa’s 55 years of experience in the field. For more detailed information, or to discuss your application specifics, contact a product specialist.

Process Gas Chromatograph - Yokogawa GC8000 from Miller Energy, Inc.

Magnetic Flow Meter – When Is It the Right Selection for Your Project?

Industrial Magnetic Flow Meter

Courtesy Yokogawa Corp.

Flow measurement is a ubiquitous function in the industrial process control field. Anywhere there are pipes, somebody wants to know what, and how much, is passing through them. Fortunately for us engineers, there is a wide array of industrial flow meters capable of measuring some physical characteristic of fluid moving within a pipe that can be translated into a useful measurement of flow rate.

In industry, there are a number of different technologies used to measure a physical property related to fluid motion, referred to as magnetic, ultrasonic, vortex, Coriolis, differential pressure, and several others. Each methodology exists in the market because it may perform better or cost less when meeting certain performance requirements. This article is focused on magnetic flow meters and when they may be a good candidate for your project.

Here is a list of some of the positive attributes of magnetic flow meters.

• Magnetic flow meters have no moving parts, always a plus.
• General construction arrangement allows for use of an interior liner for corrosion resistance.
• With no sensor insertions into the fluid flow, the impact of the instrument on the flow is minimized.
• Accuracy, when compared to other technologies, is high.
• Application to laminar, turbulent, and transitional flow profiles is permissible.
• General insensitivity to fluid viscosity, specific gravity, temperature and pressure.
• Magnetic flow meter technology can be applied to a very wide range of pipe sizes.
• Device responds rapidly to changes in fluid flow.
• Can be successfully applied to liquids containing heavy particulates.
• Generally long service life with little maintenance.

There are, though, some points about magnetic flow meters which may make them unsuitable for your application.

• Magnetic flow meters only work on liquids with conductivity above a certain threshold. They may be unsuitable for use with hydrocarbons and high purity water for this reason.
• Cannot be used to measure gas flow.
• Pipe must be grounded.
• Typically, the pipe cross section must be filled by the fluid being measured.

This listing of positives and negatives is intended to be very general in nature. Some manufacturers may have product application solutions that overcome some of the negatives, while others may not be able to deliver all of the positives.

Your best course of action:

Use this general overview to start shaping you understanding of where magnetic flow meters may be a good option, and contact a product application specialist to discuss what you want to accomplish. Combining your process knowledge with their product knowledge should move you toward a good solution.

Industrial Flowmeter Handbook From Yokogawa

Magnetic Flowmeter
Courtesy Yokogawa Corp.

Measuring the volume, mass, density, and temperature of flowing fluids is a common and necessary function of industrial process control. Industrial flowmeters employ various measuring technologies to deliver accurate measurements, which are utilized to make safety, operational, and financial decisions.

Each measurement technology; magnetic, Coriolis, vortex, differential pressure, rotameter, ultrasonic, or another, has specific attributes of meter design and measurement principle making it more suitable to differing application classes. Yokogawa Corporation has summarized the suitability of the different flowmeter types for a range of process and operational conditions in a table that provides the user a consolidated comparative view of flow meter technology for almost every application. It is a useful tool that allows the engineer to quickly focus in on one or two technologies that will best suit project requirements.

Preview the handbook below, and obtain a copy of the handbook from a Yokogawa product expert, from whom you can also get expert level application assistance.

Flowmeter Handbook by Yokogawa from Miller Energy, Inc.

Dynamic Compensation for Static Pressure Effects in Differential Pressure Measurement

Differential Pressure Transmitter
Courtesy Yokogawa Corp.

Attaining the best available performance and accuracy from any measuring device utilized in an industrial process is always advantageous. The scale of most industrial processes is such that even small inaccuracies in process measurement produce financially tangible impact. Differential pressure measurement, with wide application in the industrial process sphere, can be improved with the addition of a means to compensate for the real world effects of static pressure upon instrument performance. Yokogawa Corporation has developed a means to dynamically compensate for static pressure effects in field measurements. The brief technical presentation below will help you understand how static pressure effects can impact your field measurements, as well as how Yokogawa’s Real-time Dynamic Compensation works to offset its impact. More detailed product and application information is available from your Yokogawa specialist.

Real-Time Dynamic Compensation for Static Pressure Effects in Differential Pressure Measurement from Miller Energy, Inc.

Data Acquisition - A Step in the Direction of Process Improvement

Data acquisition, like an equipment acquisition, is the procurement of an asset. Data is an asset. It helps an operator evaluate process or business conditions and make decisions that impact the success of the organization. Let’s define data acquisition as the sampling of signals that represent a measurement of physical conditions and the conversion of those signals into a numeric form that can be processed by a computer. A data acquisition system will generally consist of sensors, transmitters, converters, processors, and other devices which perform specialized functions in gathering measurements and transforming them into a usable form.

DAQ incorporating data acquisition, process
control, recording, display and networking
in a single compact unit
Courtesy Yokogawa Corp.

Industrial process operators and stakeholders benefit from the collection and analysis of data by enhancing performance of valuable facets of the process or activity. Data acquisition, commonly known as DAQ, is widely employed in high stakes and sophisticated processes where there is a true need to know current conditions. A desire for increased profit drives the need for increased process output and efficiency. A desire to reduce risk of loss drives the need for reduced downtime and improved safety. Today, there are likely many useful applications for data acquisition that are not being tapped to their fullest potential. The modest cost and simplicity of putting a data acquisition system in place, compared to the benefits that can be derived from a useful analysis of the data for your operation or process, makes the installation of a data acquisition system a positive move for even small and unsophisticated operators in today’s market.

What we call DAQ today started in the 1960’s when computers became available to businesses of large scale and deep pockets. By the 1980’s, personal computers employed in the business environment could be outfitted with input cards that enabled the PC to read sensor data. Today, there is an immense array of measurement and data collection devices available, spanning the extremes of price points and technical capability. For a reasonable cost, you can measure and collect performance data on just about anything. You can get an impression of the simplicity, modularity, and compactness of a modern system with a quick review of this product.

Data acquisition has an application anywhere an operator or stakeholder can benefit from knowing what is occurring within the bounds of their process or operation. Here is a partial list of the many physical conditions that can be measured in industrial settings:

Other examples of industrial data acquisition equipment
Courtesy Yokogawa Corp.

• Temperature
• Pressure
• Flow
• Force
• Switch Open or Closed
• Rotational or Linear Position
• Light Intensity
• Voltage
• Current
• Images
• Rotational Speed

Consider your industrial process or operation. Are there things you would like to know about it that you do not? Would you like to increase your insight into the workings of the process, how changes in one condition may impact another? Do you know what operating condition of each component of your process will produce the best outcomes? Is reducing maintenance, or heading off a failure condition before it occurs something you would like to have in your operation? Applying your creativity, ingenuity and technical knowledge, along with the help of a product expert, will help you get the information you need to improve the outcomes from your industrial process or operation.

Miller Energy - Industrial Instrumentation and Process Control Solutions

Miller Energy is a Manufacturer's Representative and Distributor of industrial instrumentation and process control equipment.  Miller is committed to exceeding customers expectations by providing an unparalleled level of customer service and local technical support.

Miller offers the most comprehensive line of measurement, control, and communication solutions in industry today. The products provided by Miller solve challenging applications in the industrial gas, power, refining, chemical / petro-chemical, food & beverage, water/wastewater, and pharmaceutical markets.

Guided Wave Radar for Hygienic Applications: Advantages Over Other Technologies

Guided Wave Radar
for Hygienic
Applications

Operating Principle

Guided wave radar is based upon the principle of TDR (time domain reflectometry). Pulses of electromagnetic energy travel via the waveguide. The pulse is reflected when it contacts a liquid surface and the distance is then calculated.

Guided wave radar transmitters are available with a 304 stainless steel housings designed specifically for use in hygienic applications. This instrument meets the needs and requirements for the wetted and non-wetted materials, process connections and surface finishes of hygienic industries.
Features

• Low dielectric measurement capability (εr >_ 1.4)
• Volumetric output
• Quick connect/disconnect probe coupling
• Operates in visible vapors and ignores most foams
• IS, XP, and Non-Incendive approvals
• Ignores coating buildup

Advantage Over Other Technologies

• Advantage over Differential / Hydrostatic Pressure Transmitter:  Replaced by Eclipse due to setpoint shifts, blockage, leakage, installation cost & long term calibration / maintenance

• Advantage over Magnetostrictive: Replaced by Eclipse due to setpoint shifts, turn-down and clean ability & long term calibration / maintenance.

• Advantage over RF Capacitance: Replaced by Eclipse due to dielectric shifts, coating issues & long term calibration / maintenance.

• Advantage over Load Cells: Eclipse is more cost effective and long term cost of ownership is lower due to long term calibration / maintenance.

• Advantage over Ultrasonic: Replaced by Eclipse due to vapors, condensation, temperature restrictions, foaming & turbulence.

• Advantage over Through Air Radar: Replaced by Eclipse due to performance issues on low dielectric media, short range measurement because of dead band issues in small vessels, measurement issues when using false echo rejection from internal obstructions such as agitators and spray balls, signal attenuation from turbulence, foam, condensation and spray from spray balls used during cleaning or product filling. Through air radar can have issues from variable false echoes generated when spray hits the antenna when vessel is filled from spray balls.

For more information see this Guided Wave Radar bulletin:

Guided Wave Radar Level Transmitter For Hygienic Applications from Miller Energy, Inc.

Valve Selection: A Look at Ball Valves

Industrial Application Ball Valves

In the realm of industrial process control valves, your selections for most applications are vast. Every application will likely have one or more elements become critical and deciding factors for valve selection. That element might be complex and highly technical, being intimately related to physical or dynamic properties few understand. Conversely, the selection may hinge upon something as obvious as what will fit in the space that is provided. Whatever the case, some efficiency can be brought to bear in your selection process by initially deciding which type of valve would best suit the application. This allows you to focus on a much smaller universe of product candidates for your project.

Like most valves, ball valves are characterized by their closure mechanism.  Generally, a ball valve has a spherically shaped fabrication (ball) that is inserted in the fluid flow path. The ball has an opening through its center, often circular in cross section and matching the diameter and shape of the connected pipe. The ball is contained within the body of the valve and rotated around its central axis by torque applied to the stem. The stem, which extends through a seal to the exterior of the valve body, can be manually or automatically controlled via several methods.

During valve operation, the ball is rotated through a ninety degree arc from a fully closed to fully open position. When fully closed, the opening in the ball faces the sidewalls of the valve body and is cut off from the fluid by seals that secure the ball in place and prevent fluid flow around the ball. As the valve stem is rotated toward the open position, the cross sectional area of the opening is increasingly exposed to the fluid flow path until the open area through the ball is aligned with the flow path in the fully open position.

Consider some of these main points and see if a ball valve might be a good selection for your application.

In the plus column:

Large Ball Valve in a Gas Pipeline

• When closed this valve type provides a tight closure. When open fully,there is very low resistance to flow.
• Suitable for applications requiring only fully closed or open control.
• With only 90 degrees of rotational motion from open to closed positions, ball valves can provide rapid response to a change in position requirement or command.
• Ball valves are comparatively compact, without the space requirement for extending stem movement as required by some other valve types.
• Ball valves are available in a wide range of construction materials for the body, stem, ball, and seals, making them suitable for a wide range of fluid types and temperatures.
• Force required to rotate to valve stem is moderate, keeping actuator options high and energy requirements low.
• A full size port provides for very low pressure drop across the valve when fully open.
• Requirements for maintenance are generally low. No lubrication required.

In the other column:

• Ball valves are not well suited for throttling applications. Partially open valves expose the seals to the effects of the flow velocity, with possible premature seal deterioration.
• A closed valve can trap residual amounts of fluid in the port (the opening through the ball). This fluid will be released to the valve outlet when the valve is opened.
• Elastomeric materials are often used for the valve seals. Evaluate whether the seal materials are compatible with the fluid characteristics and operating temperature.

There are special adaptations of ball valves which may overcome some of the concerns you have about their application on your project. It is always a good idea to consult with a valve specialist and consider their recommendations for your project.

Valve Selection - When to Choose a Butterfly Valve

Industrial process control valves are available in a staggering array of materials, types, and configurations. An initial step of the selection procedure for a valve application should be choosing the valve type, thus narrowing the selection field to a more manageable level. Valve "types" are generally defined by the closing mechanism of the valve.

Butterfly Valve
Courtesy Crane CPE

A butterfly valve has a disc that is positioned in the fluid flow path. It rotates around a central axis, the stem, through a 90 degree arc from a position parallel to the flow direction (open) to perpendicular (closed). A variety of materials are used in the valve body construction, and it is common to line the valve with another material to provide special properties related to the process media.

What might make a butterfly valve a beneficial selection over another valve type?

• The closure arrangement allows for a comparatively small size and weight. This can reduce the cost, space, and support requirements for the valve assembly.
• Generally low torque requirements for valve operation allow for manual operation, or automation with an array of electric, pneumatic, or hydraulic actuators.
• Low pressure drop associated with the closure mechanism. The disc in the flow path is generally thin. In the fully open position, the disc presents its narrow edge to the direction of flow.
• Quarter turn operation allows for fast valve operation from fully closed to fully open.
• Some throttling capability is provided at partially open positions.
• Small parts count, low maintenance requirements.

What may be some reasons to consider other valve types?

Butterfly Valve
Courtesy Crane CPE

• Butterfly valve throttling capability is generally limited to low pressure drop applications
• Cavitation can be a concern.
• Some sources mention the possibility of choked flow as a concern under certain conditions.

Butterfly valves, like other valve types, have applications where they outperform. Careful consideration and consultation with a valve expert is a first step toward making a good selection.

Gate Valve: A Good Choice for Your Application?

Gate Valve With Actuator
Courtesy Orbinox

Fluid flow control is an essential component of many industrial applications. Because of its prevalence, and the variety of applications, there are many types, sizes, and arrangements of flow control valves available to meet practically any need. The challenge for the specifying engineer is to select the valve type and arrangement that will provide the needed performance, while also fulfilling the need for safe performance and a desire for low maintenance burden. Sorting through the wide array of valves and targeting the correct valve technology or type can quickly narrow your focus to a much smaller circle of products to research and consider.

Industrial gate valves, like all other valves, regulate fluid flow by reducing or expanding the area through which the process fluid must pass in a closed system. It is the manner in which that restricting area is changed that serves the major discriminating factor among the different valve types. In the case of a gate valve, a sliding round or rectangular piece, known as the gate or disc, is moved by a mechanism and transects the fluid flow path. Closing the gate, completely transecting the flow path, will restrict the flow to its fullest. As the gate is retracted and the opening size increases, flow is increasingly enabled. The movement of the gate, along with valve body and mechanism construction, give this valve type an array of positive and negative attributes.

High Marks for Gate Valves:

• Low resistance to fluid flow when the valve is completely open. Generally, the cross sectional characteristics of a gate valve will mimic those of the connected piping system. Additionally, gate valves do not impose any change in the flow direction of the fluid as it passes through the valve body.
• Low force and energy requirements are needed to change the valve opening position (the position of the gate). Since gate movement is perpendicular to the direction of flow, it is not necessary for the mechanism to counteract the full pressure drop of the fluid in the system.
• Gate valves can be bi-directional, controlling flow in systems that may incorporate a reversal of the flow direction.
• The installed gate valve is shorter in length than most other designs.
• Gate valves employ a slow closure rate. The accompanying slow reduction in fluid shutoff can inhibit physical shock (hammering) in the connected piping system.

Manually Operated Gate Valve
Courtesy Orbinox

Things that appear as positives in favor of gate valve selection on one application may not be as desirable on another.

Gate Valve Potential Negatives:

• Valve seals are exposed to the fluid flow when the valve is open. This might make the seals vulnerable to the wearing effects of entrained foreign matter or other components of the process fluid. The end result could potentially be prematurely worn sealing surfaces and a failure of the valve to seal properly.
• Gate valves are generally slow to open and close. This attribute might make them a poor selection for an application requiring rapid or immediate action.
• The gate valve will require an extended overhead service area, compared to other valve types. This may have an undesirable impact on locating the valve where desired.
• Fluid flow control applications that require throttling of the flow are generally not good candidates for a gate valve. Fluid flow through a partially open gate valve may cause the closure mechanism to vibrate. Additionally, there are concerns associated with potential erosion of the gate and seals due to increasing fluid velocities when the valve is partially open

These, and other, very basic considerations may help point your product search in the right direction. One additional recommendation is that you contact an experienced valve specialist and take advantage of their knowledge and experience fulfilling other applications similar to yours.

Process Measurement and Control Essentials – Industrial Pressure Transmitters

Industrial Liquid Level
Transmitter
Courtesy Yokogawa Corp.

The measurement and control of fluid pressure is ubiquitous throughout many industrial processes. Measurements of pressure, directly and indirectly, provide real time information about what is happening in places that cannot be seen, such as inside a pipe, tank, or machine. The very nature of “process” suggests movement and change, the control of which is necessary to produce a consistent desirable outcome. Industrial pressure transmitters employ specific technologies and physical principals to derive a measurement of process pressure, then deliver or transmit, the measured value to a controller or recording device.

Fluid pressure tells a process operator much about what is currently happening. The pressure variable can be used to determine, among many industrial process elements:

• Degree to which the process is conforming to a recipe or specification
• Whether machinery is performing within its specified operation range
• If conditions of the process remain within the bounds established for safety
• A quantity measurement of flow, mass, or volume

Differential Pressure
Transmitter
Courtesy Yokogawa Corp.

Global industrial processes have widely varying physical arrangements, operating environments, and measurement requirements. Manufacturers of industrial pressure transmitters have responded with an immense array of transmitter technologies, arrangements, and configurations. When selecting the best suited pressure transmitter for your application, consult a sales engineer and consider some of the following:

• Signal requirements – Type, distance, possible sources of interference
• Device environment – Hazards, extreme conditions of temperature or corrosion
• Accuracy and stability of measurement
• Response time to changes in the process condition
• Ratings and certifications required for the device
• Configuration, arrangement, and mounting aspects of the transmitter device

Explore the differing technologies and how they can be best applied to implement or improve your process. Experienced sales engineers can be a useful sounding board for discussing your needs. Take advantage of their extensive experience with a wide array of process applications.

Process Measurement and Control - Selecting the Right Flow Meter Technology

Vortex Flow Meter
Courtesy Yokogawa Corp.

Magnetic Flow Meter
Courtesy Yokogawa Corp.

Many industrial process control operations require fluid flow measurement as an essential element in the process design. Accurate flow measurement can be obtained with the proper application and installation of a flow meter as part of the fluid transfer system.

Industrial flow meters employ differing technologies to directly or indirectly measure fluid flow rates. Among the many available technologies for fluid flow measurement, vortex flow meters, magnetic flow meters, Coriolis flow meters, and rotameter flow meters are among some of the most common found in industry.

Coriolis Flow Meter
Courtesy Yokogawa Corp.

Rotameter Flow Meters
Courtesy Yokogawa Corp.

Each of the separate technologies have attributes which can make them more suitable to certain applications. Selecting the most appropriate flow measurement technology for an application is one of the initial and crucial steps to designing a well functioning fluid measurement system.

Selection criteria, such as fluid temperature, pressure, and velocity will be part of the selection process. Additional considerations include whether the fluid may be abrasive, corrosive, clean or dirty. The state of the fluid, liquid or gas, must also be considered.

The table below provides quick general guidance on which technologies to consider, based upon the factors outlined above. This will help you better focus further product selection research efforts.

Flow Meter Technology Selection Table
Courtesy Yokogawa Corporation of America

Selecting the right valve is not always an easy task, especially since it may be something that you do infrequently. Manufacturers often have knowledgeable local representatives that are experienced in this field and more than willing to contribute their expertise to your selection process.

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