Don't Ignore the Simple Solution for Flow Measurement

Flow indicator also permits visual
inspection of fluid
Courtesy ERDCO Engineering Corp.

For process control and commercial or industrial applications, there are numerous methods of flow measurement from which to choose. Technologies range from very simple applications of physical principles to deployment of very specialized electronics and sensors. The available range of accuracy, response, and cost is quite broad, with a general expectation that higher cost will deliver better performance and accuracy.

Making the best instrument selection for a flow measurement application should include an assessment of what the operators really need in order to safely and effectively run the process or perform the task related to the measurement of fluid flow. Installing instrumentation with capabilities far beyond what is required is almost certainly a waste of financial resources, but may also have an unexpected impact on operators. Through the generation of data that, while accurate, does not provide any actionable information about process condition, operators can be misled, similar to the occurrence of a false or nuisance alarm. Some applications call for high accuracy, some do not. Define your informational needs and select instruments that will meet those needs.

There is a large array of applications that can be satisfied with simpler, less costly measurement technology. These devices often employ turbines or vanes to produce an indication of flow rate. Incorporated into some of the instruments is a means to visually observe the flowing liquid to verify color and clarity. Simple devices sometimes are intended only to indicate the presence of fluid flow, and whether the flow rate is high or low. Configurations are available that allow insertion into lines under pressure (hot tap) through a full port ball valve. Other variants with combinations of features and capabilities abound.

The selection range is enormous, so define your minimum needs first, then search for a compatible product. Your search can be enhanced by contacting an instrumentation specialist. Combining your process expertise with their broad product knowledge will produce effective solutions.

Hayward Announces New Electric Valve Actuator Line

New HRS Series Electric Valve Actuators
Courtesy Hayward Flow Control

Hayward Flow Control issued a press release in early June announcing the introduction of its HRS Series of quarter turn electric valve actuators. The actuators complement the company's companion lines of fluid process products, including thermoplastic valves, strainers, filters, controls, bulkhead fittings and tank accessories, and corrosion resistant pumps.

The new HRS line provides practical features and benefits to users.

• Product torque range from 300 in-lb to 177,000 in-lb
• Aluminum housing with powder coat
• Double square drive socket, ISO5211 compliant mounting
• On/Off or Proportional Control  with 2-10 vdc or 4-20 ma inputs and outputs
• NEMA 4/4X/IP67 enclosure rating
• Range of available AC and DC voltages
• Integrated local control station
• Visual position indicators
• CSA Certified, UL439
• Two Year Warranty

There are numerous variants that can be configured using base models and available options. For more detail, contact a product specialist. Share your fluid process control challenges with them, combining your process knowledge with their product application expertise to produce the most effective solutions.

Electric valve actuators for process control from MSJacobs-Cali

Tank Overfill Protection - Level Measurement Technology Resources for Best Results

Crude oil storage tanks, a beneficiary of overfill protection

Industrial liquid processing often includes tanks or other vessels for the storage or combining of product components, raw materials, or finished product. Regardless of the nature of the liquid, overfill and spillage are of concern due to economic loss, downtime, and the creation of hazardous conditions. Good practice calls for detection of overfill conditions in a reliable manner which will provide operators notice of the condition in time to avoid spillage.

Magnetrol®, a globally recognized leader in the field of liquid level measurement, has created a set of resources to help customers understand the need for overfill protection and properly establish a protocol. Different industries and products will have varying levels of risk or hazard, thus different governing standards. The basic benefit to overfill protection is the same throughout...whatever is in the tank should be contained. Included below is one of several resources provided by Magnetrol® to address the issue of overfill protection. You can get the entire set by contacting level control specialists.

There are a number of technologies employed in the measurement of liquid level. Each has its own set of attributes that may prove advantageous for a particular application. Share your level measurement and control challenges with a product application specialist. Combining your process expertise with their product application knowledge will produce effective solutions.

Tank Overfill Protection Minimizing Insurance Risk from MSJacobs-Cali

Level Measurement: Comparing Displacer Transmitters and Differential Pressure Transmitters

Electronic Displacer Transmitter
Courtesy Magnetrol

Liquid level measurement is ubiquitous throughout industrial fluid processing operations. Whether via direct or inferential means, the fluid level data point is an integral part of operational and safety plans for an installation.

Magnetrol, a globally recognized leader in the design and manufacture of level measurement instrumentation, has produced a comparison of displacer transmitters and differential pressure transmitters applied to liquid level measurement.

What is a displacer transmitter?

Displacer transmitters are considered a direct means of level measurement.

Quoted from Magnetrol website page on displacer transmitters...

Electronic displacer level transmitter technology operates by detecting changes in buoyancy force caused by liquid level change. These forces act upon the spring supported displacer causing vertical motion of the core within a linear variable differential transformer.
As the core position changes with liquid level, voltages are induced across the secondary windings of the LVDT. These signals are processed in the electronic circuitry and used to control the current in the 4-20 mA current loop. The enclosing tube acts as a static isolation barrier between the LVDT and the process media.

 How does a differential pressure transmitter measure liquid level?

Liquid level can be inferred through the measure of the pressure generated by the column of liquid in a tank or vessel. The measurement device must be calibrated for the specific gravity of the measured media in order to attain reasonably accurate results. There are a number of installation arrangements of differential pressure transmitters that will accommodate tanks open to atmosphere, closed pressurized tanks, and more.

The comparison is included below and provides some interesting points to consider. Share your level measurement application challenges with a product application specialist. Combining your process experience and knowledge with their product application expertise will produce the best solutions for your process measurement needs.

Comparing Level Measurement Methods: Displacment Transmitter vs Differential Pressure Transmitter from MSJacobs-Cali

SVF Flow Controls Explains Surface Roughness for Valves Intended for Special Applications

Vales utillized in industrial processes
can require special materials or finishes.

Fluid control operations can sometimes require special materials of construction or finishes for piping and specialties, like valves. A segment of the industrial valve manufacturing sector specializes in providing fluid control valves with coatings, surface finish, and materials of construction suitable for the requirements of applications not well serviced by more common constructions.

One manufacturer, SVF Flow Controls, has published a short article explaining some of the basics about surface finish. The article defines surface finish and goes on to describe some of the methods employed to achieve various levels of surface roughness and texture. The article, included below in its entirety, is short and informative.

Share your specialty valve applications with product experts. The combination of your process expertise and their product knowledge will produce the most effective solutions.

Surface Roughness in Metal Finishing from MSJacobs-Cali

High Density Signal Conditioning Modules Offer Bluetooth® Configuration of I/O Ranges and Alarms

The microBlox™ signal conditioners for high density I/O configuration

Acromag, a globally recognized manufacturer of signal conditioning modules and related equipment, announced a new product release earlier this month. The microBlox™ line of signal conditioners provides a wide array of useful features, broad range of I/O signal compatibility, and a very compact high density footprint.

Here is an excerpt from the Acromag newsletter from June 6, 2016.

A full line of microBlox™ isolated signal conditioning modules are now available from Acromag. Offering over 175 models, microBlox uB modules can safely interface a wide variety of voltage, current, temperature, frequency, and other field signals with a ±5V or 0-5V DC output to host measurement & control systems. Users can select modules with fixed ranges or wireless configuration via Bluetooth® wireless technology on an Android™ or iOS® mobile device. Acromag’s free AgilityTM app for smartphones and tablets simplifies setting custom I/O ranges and optional alarm functions. The app can also display input signal values and create sharable trend charts. uB modules snap securely into compact backpanels (no screws) in any mix with 4, 8 or 16-channel capacities. With 1500Vac peak (350Vdc continuous) channel-to-channel and field-to-host isolation, the hot-swappable modules are ideal to front-end data acquisition systems or Acromag remote I/O for communication to Ethernet, Modbus, or Profibus networks. High performance is assured with up to 0.05% accuracy and 130dB noise rejection. Prices start at just $90 per module. 

“Advanced microcontroller and wireless technologies enable microBlox modules to bring greater flexibility and signal processing capabilities into such a small, economical package.” stated Robert Greenfield, Acromag’s marketing & sales director.
The microBlox module’s small size (1.11" x 1.65" x 0.4") and channel-by-channel scalability is ideal for embedded or portable applications such as test stands, defense systems, and process control applications. Well-suited for use in harsh industrial environments, the over-molded modules resist shock, dirt, and moisture with dependable operation from -40 to 85°C. Hazardous location UL/cUL Class 1 Div 2 and ATEX Zone 2 approvals are also available.

Accessories include a selection of backpanels with slots to insert 4, 8, or 16 modules. Fuse clips hold the modules securely without screws for easy insertion/removal. The backpanels support surface or DIN rail mounting and include CJC for use with temperature input modules. Blue LEDs indicate modules that are ready for Bluetooth wireless technology communication. Connections are provided for a 5V power source or a 10-32Vdc supply when used with the plug-in 5V power module. A DB25 header facilitates a single cable connection to interface all uB I/O signals directly to the host data acquisition system.

 A consolidated catalog describing the new microBlox™  signal conditioners is included below. Share your signal conditioning and I/O challenges with a a product specialist. Combining your process knowledge with their product application expertise will produce the best solutions.

High Density Signal Conditioners From Acromag from MSJacobs-Cali

MS Jacobs & Associates Offers Line of Corrosion Resistant Industrial Fluid Handling Process Control Equipment

TKS/TKP/TKM Series PVC + PP Paddle Wheel Flow Meters

Courtesy Icon Process Controls Ltd.

MS Jacobs & Associates now represents ICON Process Controls in Pennsylvania, New York, and West Virginia. ICON specializes in corrosion resistant industrial fluid handling process control equipment, offering industry the most complete line of all plastic instrumentation products supported by the largest inventory in North America. Markets include Municipal and Industrial Water & Waste-Water Treatment, Bulk Chemicals, Steel Processing, Metal Finishing, Chemical Dosing Skids, and Food & Beverage.

The company's products complement and expand MS Jacobs' already extensive array of process measurement and control instruments and equipment. The ICON line includes devices for measuring and controlling flow, level, pressure, and temperature. Their unique all plastic construction makes the ICON equipment and instruments particularly well suited to the harshest industrial environments.

For information about the complete line of corrosion resistant industrial fluid handling process control equipment from ICON, reach out to the process control experts at MS Jacobs. Share you process control challenges and combine your process knowledge with their product application expertise to formulate the best solutions.