3 Easy Steps to add Flexibility to Process Pressure Measurement

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Everything matters in marketing. The needs and wants of users from Energy, Buildings, and Industrial domains show similar trends. Though they differ in the business landscape, all users are looking to add flexibility to their systems. Especially during challenging economic conditions.

Since the end of 2015 I am learning, “Foxboro by Schneider Electric” field devices. Field devices significantly contribute to the measurement and safety of a process and discrete industries. Field devices convert parameters like pressure, temperature, flow, and level to electrical signals. Furthermore, they transmit signals to controllers. Controllers use the information to monitor and control processes. There are a number of industries where field devices are used including nuclear, oil & gas, refineries, power, buildings, water, food & beverages and others. Field devices are in the “field” participating in the actual process.

Pressure transmitters are one of the most common type of field device. Applications of pressure transmitters range from basic measurements such as absolute and gauge. The flow and level measurement using differential as well as hydrostatic principles. Pressure transmitters are also common in other high-end applications.

Flexibility is the ability to react to change. During interaction with users, few described the challenge they have in managing rigidity in the process measurement. Interestingly, an Engineering Procurement and Construction Manager (EPC) explained how one of its projects came under stress due to change in process measurement during project implementation phase.

Here are 3 easy steps which consultants, engineering & process maintenance teams can keep in mind to add flexibility to their process pressure measurement systems. The pressure transmitter shall be with:

• Wider turndown ratio: Turndown ratio is maximum allowable span to minimum allowable span. Transmitters are available with turndown ratios of 100:1, 200:1 and few innovative once with 400:1. Large turndown ratio is good as they are applicable to a wide variety of applications. Additionally, it allows users to maintain smaller quantities in stock.
• Multiple calibration curves: Calibration process ensures that an output of the transmitter accurately corresponds to its input. Calibration curves are adjusted through the characterization process. Most pressure transmitters have single range calibration curves. An instrument with multi-calibration curves will switch back and forth between the calibration curves to adjust the optimized accuracy. It will empower process with a great flexible measurement system.
• One Step configuration: Managing downtime in challenging job conditions and solving process issues with available expertise is already becoming too complex. To simplify, devices with one step factory reset, without losing configuration history is just what users need. It will greatly help to improve the productivity of process maintenance.

It is already imperative for a process to be flexible with the measuring parameters. To achieve the desired goal, absolute clarity on real-time measurement is a must. It is certainly worth looking for new possibilities the technology has opened for us. I am sure you are ..