Materials Handling
software for advanced control implemented for this purpose. It varies the process parameters based on mathematical models and data from the process control system and optimises the process using iterative learning control. An important process value for this purpose is provided by
the high-temperature ultrasonic measurement at the overflash return line. As reliable data is now available on the quantities that return as a function of the various types of crude oil and of the way the column is being run, the process can be optimised for energy efficiency and yield.
Tracking losses Recently RS Hydro was employed by an oil refinery to try and establish water usage across the site and to find out where substantial losses were being made. To do this successfully, water usage needed to be
monitored for a three-day period for 24 hours a day. RS Hydro decided to use the Panametrics PT878 to carry out the tests at 12 locations. Its engineers were able to install the meters within one and a half days, without the need for any pipe modifications. As the PT878 has a battery life of 8-11 hours, and there was no access to mains power on the site, the PT878s were connected to car batteries to allow the 36 hours of continuous monitoring. Site conditions including pipe materials and noise meant
the locations were not ideal, but single traverse installations made the monitoring possible. The meters were each set up to record flow rates and total
flows over the three days. Diagnostic results at each meter installation were recorded to prove that the meters were running accurately. The meters were uninstalled three days later. The
recorded data was downloaded and sent to the customer in excel format allowing the refinery to create a valid water balance for the site. RS Hydro offers an extensive range of flow meters which
it says covers all applications and all industries. For example, its ultrasonic flowmeters can be used on
fluids with up to 5 per cent solids. The company supplies portable ultrasonic flow meters which can be used at multiple sites, permanent ultrasonic flowmeters which are designed to be used at a fixed location and hazardous area ultrasonic
flowmeters which are intrinsically safe for use in environments where equipment needs to be explosion proof. In addition, recent advances in gas flow measurement
technology have meant that it is now possible to measure almost all gases using clamp-on ultrasonic gas flow meters. These include natural gas, steam, compressed air, hydrogen, fuel gases, corrosive gases and erosive gases. The transducers used in this kind of flowmeter are ten
times more powerful than those used in traditional ultrasonic flow meters and produce clean, coded signals with very little background noise. Then there are temporary or permanently installed
insertion flowmeters which can provide a flow monitoring solution that is more economical that using a full bore meter - particularly in large diameter pipes. They are also useful as a portable survey tool where occasional measurement is needed at many points. Insertion and removal can be carried out without supply disruption, by fitting gate valves at tapping points. The company also supplies a wide range of both full bore
turbine flow meters, single jet flow meters and multi-jet water flow meters. Full bore turbine flow meters use an impeller which is
made of self-cleaning synthetic resin and rotates on stainless spindles mounted in the measuring chamber. For small pipe sizes (typically 5/8-in to 2-in diameter) multi-jet water meters are extremely accurate. These contain an impeller that is rotated by jets of water from multiple inlet ports. Finally, AMS Instrumentation and Calibration has
introduced the Katronic KATflow 200 clamp-on ultrasonic flow meter range, which utilises the transit-time method that is based on the principle on sound waves travelling with the flow will move faster than those travelling against. The KATflow 200 series are hand-held ultrasonic
flow meters suited for non-invasive and non-intrusive flow measurement of liquids and liquefied gasses in fully filled pipes. The flow meters are equipped with one measurement channel to monitor the flow in one single pipe at a time. The new flow meters come supplied with an internal
datalogger and software for recording and downloading of measured values. They can also be equipped with an integrated wall thickness gauge to provide further information about the application parameters. ■
New Coriolis flow meters S
iemens Industry Automation Division has developed a new Coriolis flow meter sensor for compressed natural
gas (CNG) applications.
Sitrans FCS200 has a compact design, which allows for example the use of small and efficient dispensers. The high capacity with a flow rate up to 500 kg/min ensures faster fuelling. Via the Siflow FC070 Ex transmitter the new flow meter sensor can easily be integrated into Simatic automation systems. This allows
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a broad range of control, measurement and automation solutions for CNG distribution, compression, storage and refuelling. New from Yokogawa, the RotaMASS 3 Series Coriolis flow meter features a heavy wall, seamless, dual tube design uniquely decoupled from any process vibration or pipeline stress guaranteeing reliability and output stability. Nine different detectors enable customisation of the flow meter for the best combination of mass flow range, pressure drop, and accuracy at the lowest possible cost.
Its versatility means that the flow meter can be used in the most difficult applications from cryogenics to molten liquids as well as sanitary applications and aggressive chemicals. A state-of-the-art converter provides a wealth of features including remote configuration via HART, multiple languages, advanced diagnostics, infrared programming and a four-line display for easy setup and operation.
Industries served are oil, gas, chemical, pulp and paper, power and density. ■
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