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Ashcroft's Blog

The Ashcroft blog provides helpful information about pressure and temperature instruments. Gain the knowledge you need to keep your business running!

Blog Feature

diaphragm seals

In challenging process applications, diaphragm seals (isolators) are often required to protect pressure instruments from the corrosive media and/or large particulates found in the process. These materials can impact, or even impede, the accuracy of your instruments and wreak havoc on your operation. In harsh applications that involve pressure spikes, erratic vibration and pulsation, your diaphragm seal may need a layer of added protection to ensure the safety of your instruments. With 10+ years in the pressure and temperature instrumentation industry and product leader for Ashcroft diaphragm seal products, I am often asked to recommend a solution for this particular challenge. More often than not, after I gather all pertinent information about the customer's specific challenge, the solution is a dampening device. Read on to learn when and why a dampening device may be recommended for your application, the different styles that are available and how they function. When you are done, you will have a greater understanding of how diaphragm seals and dampening devices can work together to keep your operation running safely. You will also see links to additional related resources that you can refer to at your convenience.

Blog Feature

measurement instrument accessories | manifold valves

This article was originally published on January 10, 2022, and was updated on March 13, 2024. If you work in the oil and gas or chemical industry, or even in a power plant, you know that a manifold valve blocks the flow of fluid in your system so the process media will be isolated from pressure instrumentation. You also know that a block-and-bleed manifold blocks the upstream process media from the instrumentation while allowing the bleeding off (venting) of the remaining fluid from the system on the downstream side of the manifold. But when you need to know which manifold valve is the right one for your specific process, that's where we can help. Ashcroft is a leading authority in pressure instruments and the accessories that help them operate at peak performance. As the senior product manager for this segment of our line, I have had the opportunity to train many customers and distributors on this very subject. Read this article to learn the various manifold valves, how they are different and the mounting options you can choose from. When you are done, you will also find additional resources that may be of interest to you.

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Blog Feature

Thermowells | Wake Frequency | Vortex Thermowell

If you work in process industries like oil and gas or chemical/petrochemical, you know that a thermowell is a critical component that can help ensure the safe operation of your systems. That's because it is the thermowell's job to protect the temperature monitoring instruments from system pressure, high-velocity flow and corrosive media. However, keep in mind that selecting the wrong thermowell to do the job can have negative consequences that will put the safety of your process and your people at serious risk. Ashcroft has been in the temperature measurement business for decades. As the firm's temperature product manager, I know that flanged thermowells are typically the preferred choice for these applications because of their design and cost. In reality, though, even when the cost feels prohibitive, there are certain situations where a Vortex Thermowell may be your only option. In this article, you will learn about the forces that can make a thermowell fail and the factors to consider when determining whether the Vortex Thermowell is worth the added expense. You will also get links to additional resources related to this topic that may be of interest to you.

Blog Feature

RTD | temperature sensor | thermocouple

In a recent Understanding the Basics blog article, we reviewed how temperature is measured in industrial applications using different types of thermometers. In this article, we will focus on the temperature sensors used to measure temperature in original equipment manufacturing (OEM) systems, light industrial processes or even more complex applications. No matter what the purpose, inaccurate temperature measurements can have serious consequences for your entire operation, so you'll want to be sure you use accurate and reliable instruments to do the job. If you are new to OEM applications or simply need a refresher on the basics of temperature sensors, you've come to the right place. Here we will review different types of temperature sensors, how they work, and what to look for when selecting the best option for your specific needs. At the end of the article, you will find additional resources related to temperature measurement that may interest you.

Blog Feature

pressure gauge | Pressure Instruments

This article was originally published on June 9, 2021, and was updated on March 4, 2024. Pressure gauges play a critical role in your process applications. They accurately and reliably measure and monitor pressure to determine if process systems are working effectively and efficiently, or if you need to make system alterations or adjustments. This helps ensure the safety of your personnel, the efficiency of your processes and the quality of your products. But what happens when your pressure gauges stop working? Your entire operation is at risk. That's why periodic instrument audits are good practice. Ashcroft has been conducting comprehensive instrument audits for 10 years. As the product lead for process gauges, I see the results of these audits and can tell you why instruments fail in the first place. The good news is that most of these “instrument killers” we've identified can be prevented if you know the warning signs. In this article, you will learn the primary indicators that tell you your pressure gauge may be failing and the 6 most common pressure gauge problems and solutions that we found in our instrument audits. When you are done reading, you will know what to look for and be prepared to address any of these issues ahead of time. Armed with this information, you will be able to keep your processes running safely, smoothly and effectively.

Blog Feature

Pressure Instruments | diaphragm seals

If you are new to the world of diaphragm seals or just want a refresher on how they work, you've come to the right place. A diaphragm seal (also known as an instrument isolator) is a protective mechanism that connects to the process side of a pressure measurement instrument. The primary function of a diaphragm seal is to prevent the sensing element of your pressure instrument from getting damaged by any corrosive process media or clogging in your application. Without using a diaphragm seal in place to protect your instrument, you will not be able to accurately and effectively measure the pressure in your system, putting your entire operation at risk. Why trust Ashcroft? We are an industry leader in pressure and temperature measurement instrumentation and are often asked for insight regarding the benefits of these instruments and how they work. In this article, I will review how diaphragm seals are used in different applications and provide links to additional resources in case you want to expand your knowledge on the subject further.