Activity

  • Level Sensor Safety Proof Testing

    Jim Cahill
    Backing up your computer or server is a waste of time if restoring the backup fails when you need it. Good practice is to test these backups on separate test systems periodically to make sure they restore properly. Similarly, safety instrumented systems (SISs) need to assure that each safety instrumented function (SIF)/safety loop does what it’s intended to do to bring the plant to a safe state in the event of a demand…

  • Remote Partial Proof Testing Level Sensors

    Jim Cahill
    For safety instrumented functions (SIFs), proof testing is the process of identifying undetected dangerous failures in the sensor, final control element and logic solver which comprise the SIF. Dangerous failures are those that could put the safety instrumented system (SIS) in a hazardous or fail-to-function state. If undetected, in the case of level measurements, this could lead to an overfill and spill, with potentially…

  • Remote Partial Proof Testing Level Sensors

    Jim Cahill
    For safety instrumented functions (SIFs), proof testing is the process of identifying undetected dangerous failures in the sensor, final control element and logic solver which comprise the SIF. Dangerous failures are those that could put the safety instrumented system (SIS) in a hazardous or fail-to-function state. If undetected, in the case of level measurements, this could lead to an overfill and spill, with potentially…

  • Remote Partial Proof Testing Level Sensors

    Jim Cahill
    For safety instrumented functions (SIFs), proof testing is the process of identifying undetected dangerous failures in the sensor, final control element and logic solver which comprise the SIF. Dangerous failures are those that could put the safety instrumented system (SIS) in a hazardous or fail-to-function state. If undetected, in the case of level measurements, this could lead to an overfill and spill, with potentially…

  • Increasing safety through remote proof-testing

    Peta Glenister
    The proof-testing of safety instrumented systems in liquid level measurement applications has traditionally relied on workers in the field. However, our latest technology advancements in modern smart devices is enabling this vital task to be performed remotely, bringing significant safety, efficiency and cost benefits. Read about it in our white paper here: http://bit.ly/2uiurFd

  • Using Flushing/Drip/Calibration Rings in Pressure and Level Measurements

    Jim Cahill
    If you work with pressure measurement instrumentation, you may have heard the phrases drip rings, flushing rings or calibration rings. These are used for pressure and differential pressure (DP) level measurement devices where diaphragm seals are used. I bring this up because I received an email recently that asked about these [edited and paraphrased to protect confidentiality]: Can you advise where in the Emerson…

  • Continuous Floating Roof Tank Condition Monitoring

    Jim Cahill
    Floating roofs are used on storage tanks to minimize vapor space between the top of the tank and the level of the liquid, typically a petroleum-based product, inside the tank. Per the External floating roof tank Wikipedia entry: The roof rises and falls with the liquid level in the tank. As opposed to a fixed roof tank there is no vapor space ( ullage ) in the floating roof tank (except for very low liquid level…

  • Accurate Level Measurement for Efficient & Reliable Boiler Performance

    Jim Cahill
    If you’re unfamiliar with the phrase “ heat rate ” used in the electrical power generation industry, it means the amount of heat energy in BTUs as input to the turbine generators divided by the amount of electricity generated in kilowatts. Accurate level measurement in the boiler drums and feedwater heaters is critical to optimize efficiency and run the turbines reliably over time. Matt Brummer Level Product Specialist…

  • Reducing maintenance and improving safety and reliability on supercritical steam lines

    Peta Glenister
    The Mobrey Hydratect 2462 Water and Steam Detection System is the modern equivalent to float level switches and is suitable for process conditions of 4350 psi / 300 bar and 1040° F / 560°C. It is used on safety critical applications to detect the unwanted presence of water in steam, or the water level within a steam drum. A new Emerson case study details a typical application for the Mobrey Hydratect 2462. The system…

  • Level Switch Diagnostics for Remote Proof Testing and Instrument Health

    Jim Cahill
    Many of the “things” in the Industrial Internet of Things are the sensors that measure not only operating, but also safety-, reliability- and efficiency-related parameters from a manufacturing and production facility. In a Process Industry Informer article, Enhanced Diagnostics Help To Ensure Reliable Level Monitoring , Emerson’s Marianne Williams shares how technology advancements in vibrating fork level switches…

  • Remote and Continuous Tank Floating Roof Monitoring

    Jim Cahill
    As oil & gas supplies continue to exceed demand and the need to store crude oil, natural gas liquids and other petroleum-based products increases, storage tanks remain critical elements in the global supply chain. In a Tank Storage magazine article, Stay Afloat Using Radar Technology , Emerson’s Ulf Johannesson describes how radar technology is used to improve safe and reliable operation on storage tanks with floating…

  • Solving stringent insurer safety requirements

    Peta Glenister
    A waste treatment specialist company in France was using differential pressure (DP) transmitters to measure and control the level within their two steam drums. However, after a recent review, the plant’s insurers were concerned that if the DCS was to fail, the DP measurement would be lost and there would be no way of knowing the level within the steam drum. This could lead to the steam drum running dry, or rising level…

  • Level measurement in challenging applications

    Peta Glenister
    When a multinational energy company needed redundant level measurement for their depropanizer tower tray measurement, they chose the Rosemount 5300 Guided Wave Radar due to its reliability and stability in their challenging application. Read more here: http://bit.ly/2kgn5xk

  • Remote proof-testing and advanced diagnostics with the new Rosemount wired HART level detector

    Peta Glenister
    In response to our customers’ needs we have launched the world’s first wired HART vibrating fork level detector. The Rosemount™ 2140 features remote proof-testing capability and advanced diagnostics to help improve safety and increase process availability. Designed for ease-of-use the device provides reliable level detection while helping increase safety and efficiency of both plant and workers. Read more here http…

  • Reliable Level Measurement for Marine Vessel Tanks

    Jim Cahill
    Measure tank levels can be challenging based on many factors including liquid composition, tank geometry, fill/empty rates, etc. And, if measuring levels on marine vessel tanks, there is added complexity with this non-stationary environment. I saw a LinkedIn post from Emerson’s Bert Konings about the complexities of level measurements in marine environments. In it, he pointed to this 5:26 YouTube video, Reliability…

  • Solids Level Measurement Technology Selection Considerations

    Jim Cahill
    Solids, unlike liquids, can have an uneven surface, making level measurement very difficult. In a Control Engineering magazine article, How to choose the right level instrument for applications , Emerson’s Lydia Miller shares tips on selecting the right level measurement technology for your application. Three primary factors you must consider include: Specific material characteristics Installation considerations…

  • Non-Contacting Radar Level Measurement Frequency Tradeoffs

    Jim Cahill
    Microwaves have many uses including communications, navigation, radar, radio astronomy, heating and power, and spectroscopy to name a few. For instrumentation and automation, radar level measurement works by emitting microwaves to measure distance. The first radar level measurement system was installed on a commercial oil tanker in 1976. Today, the technology has advanced to measure levels in tanks and vessels with…

  • Radar frequencies: dispelling the myths

    Peta Glenister
    Radar level transmitters on the market use different microwave frequencies – so which one is best? Laws of physics make “the best choice” vary depending on specific application challenges. Read more about the pros and cons of the various microwave frequencies from a level measurement perspective in our new white paper. http://bit.ly/radarfrequenciesNEW

  • Measuring Cement Storage Silo Level and Volume Reliably

    Jim Cahill
    The cement-making process involves quarrying raw materials such as limestone, sand and clay and then crushing these materials and others into small pieces in a series of stages. Rotary cement kilns heat these materials along other materials such as iron ore or fly ash. The high heat removes elements that are turned into gasses and the materials left are cooled and ground up with small amounts of gypsum and limestone added…

  • Avoiding Corrosion while Increasing Urea Production

    Jim Cahill
    Author: James Gremillion One of the key problems urea plants face is corrosion. The corrosion problem rests with one chemical produced by the urea process, ammonium carbamate . Ammonium carbamate is produced by reacting ammonia and carbon dioxide at high pressures (up to 200 bar ) in a special reactor. The urea reactor is a reactor vessel inside a protective shell. Should there be a leak in the reactor, the shell…

  • Guided Wave Radar Level Measurement in Vessel Bypass Chambers

    Jim Cahill
    Accurately measuring levels in vessels is important in many aspects—safety, efficiency, reliability and availability to name a few. Mechanical level measurement devices historically have been failure prone and have required regular maintenance. Guided wave radar (GWR) technology avoids the problems with associated with mechanical devices, but is affected by obstructions in the vessel such as agitators, heat exchangers…

  • Improving Safe Operations with Wireless Vibrating Fork Level Switches

    Jim Cahill
    Level measurements can be some of the most important measurements for the safe operations of applications such as tank farms, boilers, pump control and more. Level measurement is a key part of monitoring and control strategies as well as safety instrumented functions. In a Process Worldwide article, How Wireless Vibrating Fork Frequency Monitoring Improves Process Safety , Emerson’s Marianne Williams describes the use…

  • Simplified level measurement - combined chambers and guided wave radar help ensure reliability and accuracy

    Peta Glenister
    Chambers enable guided wave radar (GWR) to measure level in vessels that have restrictions such as agitators, but correct equipment selection and installation is essential to ensure reliable and accurate measurements. Thomas Rundqvist explains how combined chamber/GWR units provide a pre-assembled and ready-to-install solution that simplifies level instrumentation commissioning. Read the article here: http://origin…

  • Solids Level Measurement for Silo Safety and Preventive Maintenance

    Jim Cahill
    As we enter a three-day weekend with Monday’s Memorial Day here in the U.S., let’s end the week with a short post. Measuring the level of solids in silos is tough since the level varies based on how the silo is filled as well as the physical properties of the solids. There are typically peaks and valleys. This quick 1-minute video, 3D Solids Scanner Perfect Tool for Safety & Preventive Maintenance of Silos , conveys…

  • Improving Heat Rate with Better Measurements

    Jim Cahill
    For electrical power producers, the phrase “heat rate” refers to the efficiency of the power plant. It is defined as the thermal energy in divided by the electrical energy out. Emerson’s Lydia Miller let me know about a new whitepaper, Using Automation to Improve Plant Heat Rate that highlights ways to improve the efficiency of this conversion from thermal to electrical energy. The whitepaper opens by describing what…

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