Product Digest
this month's topic Instrumentation
Cost-Efficient Monitor Tracks Equipment Wear
OneWireless EHM is a compact, eight-channel (four for vibration, four for 4–20 mA) monitoring device that communicates over the OneWireless industrial mesh network. It collects acceleration, velocity, temperature and bearing condition data and delivers them to process operators and maintenance personnel to alert them of equipment problems. The monitor is a cost-effective and efficient alternative to manual inspections normally used to check rotating equipment such as pumps, compressors and motors. OneWireless EHM includes everything necessary to capture and analyze equipment health information, including data acquisition equipment and database management software. The software can deduce probable bearing defects, misalignment, pump cavitations and impeller wear, and then translate the data into alarms that can be configured to appear in the plant’s distributed control system (DCS). Primarily offered as stand-alone devices, the OneWireless EHM components are also available in starter kits, whichcontain everything necessary to wirelessly monitor four to eight plant assets.
Appeared In Issue: January 2008
Honeywell International
www.honeywell.com/ps
Electromagnetic Flowmeters Measure Turbulent, Laminar and Transitional Flows
Extended linearity (EL) 500 electromagnetic flowmeters create a unique electromagnetic field profile to ensure accuracy in turbulent, laminar and transitional flows. They operate based on the Faraday principle, by which a conductor crossing a mag-netic field generates a potential, which is directly proportional to the flow velocity. Available in line sizes from 1/8 in. to 3/4 in., these compact meters have a wide measurement range of up to 1000:1 without the aid of linearization software. The EL 500 has a bidirectional flow capability with no moving parts and no pressure drop. The meters cover the temperature range of –4_F to 320_F. They utilize a 316 stainless steel flow tube with AISI 316 UNI 338 male-threaded, NPT or ISO 2852 fittings. Optional connections can be made of Hastelloy C or titanium. The standard liner material is polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and the enclosure is stainless steel. Electronics can be mounted directly on the flowmeter, or to meet the IP 68 standard for permanent immersion in water up to a depth of 4.9 ft, they can be remotely mounted.
Appeared In Issue: January 2008
Flow Technology, Inc.
www.ftimeters.com
Transmitter Sends Accurate Digital Measurements
The TMZ PC-programmable Modbus temperature and signal transmitter delivers high input resolution and exceptional digital measurement accuracy. The unit accepts a direct signal from a wide array of sensors and analog devices, including resistance temperature detectors (RTDs), thermocouples, current/voltage meters, and potentiometers, and then converts the input to the standard Modbus RTU (RS-485) protocol. The TMZ transmitter offers significant savings on wiring and installation costs by concentrating multiple monitoring points onto a single communication link. Up to 32 units (without repeaters) can be multi-dropped onto a single low-cost communication link, eliminating the need to run a dedicated wire for each signal. Residing in a rugged, metal, RFI-resistant housing, the TMZ is isolated and protected against the effects of ground loops, plant noise and electromagnetic interference.
Appeared In Issue: January 2008
Moore Industries-International, Inc.
www.miinet.com
Petroleum Analyzer Performs Field Testing
The MINIDIS portable analyzer uses the new ASTM D7344-07 method to determine the distillation characteristics of a wide range of petroleum products, including: low-sulfur diesel fuels; petroleum spirits; naphthas; and kerosenes. Specifically developed for a small sample volume, its miniaturized apparatus makes field testing possible — the compact instrument can be installed in a mobile lab, or a fleet of tank trucks can be equipped with the device. The ASTM D7344 method requires a sample volume of just 6 mL, which is about one-fifteenth that required by the ASTM D86 method, and it takes just half the time (10 min vs. 20 min for ASTM D86). The MINIDIS uses small sealed cups and a metallic distillation column. Rinsing, filling, sample lifting and sample introduction are fully auto-matic. Unlike instruments that use the ASTM-D-86 Method, the MINDIS does not require a fire detection system.
Appeared In Issue: January 2008
Ametek Petrolab
www.petrolab.com
Chromatographs Allow Remote Instrument Monitoring and Diagnostics
The Intelligent Services feature for remote instrument-monitoring and diagnostics is now part of the 6890/7890 Series gas chromatograph (GC) and 5973/5975 Series gas-chromatograph/mass-spectrometer (GC/MS) systems. The proven, secure IT technology links instruments to customer-support centers, where experts provide proactive technical support designed to address problems before they affect lab produc-tivity. A push-for-help feature enables single-button requests for assistance so that service engineers can remotely determine the status of the system before responding. A real-time collaboration feature allows engineers to open an ultra-secure remote desktop-sharing session. An asset report and notification function provides on-demand access to information and tools that lab managers can use to optimize instrument utilization and lab productivity. The Intelligent Services asset report provides a detailed inventory list and snapshot of real-time instrument usage and utilization, enabling managers to plan efficient laboratory operations. The notification feature helps laboratories reduce system downtime by proactively alerting users via SMS-text or e-mail when maintenance thresholds are reached or when the instrument requires user interaction.
Appeared In Issue: January 2008
Agilent Technologies Inc.
www.chem.agilent.com
Side-Tank Indicator Displays Product, Interface and Temperature
This display meter works with the Level Plus MG transmitter via a Modbus interface to monitor the product, interface and temperature all from a single process opening. With a direct connection, the Modbus protocol provides volume measurement with a strapping table (up to 100 points) and temperature correction according to API standards. Developed as a side-tank indicator (STI) for storage tanks, it can display tank levels in feet and inches, to sixteenths of an inch. The transmitter features plug-and-play installation, and users can choose to have the meter display product only, product and temperature, or product, interface and temperature. The Modbus STI includes two relays (2 A at 250 SPDT), a 4–20-mA output, 120/240-VAC input power, 24-VDC to the gage, and an optional explosionproof housing. Suitable for process control, bulk storage, precision inventory control and product level, interface level and temperature monitoring, the transmitter features surface-mount technology and a high-speed signal-processing integrated circuit. The microprocessor firmware has a flexible command interface, high noise-rejection capability, built-in test functions, and automatic data-error checking. Serial asynchronous data formats (Modbus and MTS DDA) provide a direct interface to most types of computers and digital communication equipment.
Appeared In Issue: January 2008
MTS Sensors Division
www.mtssensors.com
Cost-Effective Transducer Monitors Differential Pressures and Drops
The Model 231 Multi-Sense differential-pressure transducer is suitable for monitoring control pump differential pressures, chiller or boiler differential pressure drops, and flow of gases or liquids. The transducer reduces inventory and installation costs by providing the user with field-selectable features such as switch-selectable pressure ranges, selectable analog outputs, and uni-directional and bi-directional spans. An optional LCD display is available for in situ reporting of range and output status. The Model 231 is offered in three versions, each with four unidirectional pressure ranges and four bidirectional pressure ranges. The MS1 has ranges from as low as ±5 psid to 50 psid; the MS2, from ±10 psid to 100 psid; and the MS3, from ±25 psid to 250 psid. All three versions feature a dual-sensor design that incorporates thin-film sensing technology for exceptional thermal accuracy and signal linearity. Each unit has been temperature-compensated from +32°F to +130°F, with zero and span accurate to within 0.02%/°F. Access to switches and jumpers is provided via an integral hinged cover. Jumpers provide additional features, such as port swapping, a selectable analog reverse mode, and a selectable-speed, slow-response mode for 5-s averaging or fast-response mode for a 1-s response. The Model 231 is compliant with the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive.
Appeared In Issue: January 2008
Setra Systems Inc.
www.setra.com
Handheld Thermometer Takes Accurate Measurements
The 568 handheld thermometer offers broad infrared (IR) temperature measurement functionality, an on-screen menu system and a dot-matrix display. It combines contact and non-contact temperature measurement capability in a single, easy-to-use tool. The thermometers have a temperature measurement range from –40°F to 1472°F at 1% measurement accuracy. Via a soft-key menu display, users can set alarms, log data and adjust emissivity with a few pushes of a button. Allowing users to choose a numerical setting or an item from the built-in materials table, the adjustable emissivity feature enables users to more accurately measure a wide variety of surfaces by compensating for shiny surfaces. The device’s display has two levels of backlight to facilitate viewing and features a distance-to-spot ratio of 50:1, so users can measure smaller objects or take readings from further away. The thermometer can capture and store up to 99 points of data, which can be viewed on the unit or downloaded quickly to a computer via a USB connection for later analysis and trending.
Appeared In Issue: January 2008
Fluke Corp.
www.fluke.com