This article was originally published on July 19, 2021, and updated on October 28, 2024. If you work in a refinery, petrochemical plant, or power generation facility, you likely face the challenge of managing high temperatures and pressures associated with steam applications. Under these harsh conditions, pressure gauges and other instruments can become damaged, which can lead to operational failures. A steam siphon is one solution that can provide a simple yet effective way to protect your instruments from these elevated process temperatures. As a product leader in process gauges at Ashcroft, one of the most common questions I’ve heard (and one that our customer service team often receives) is, “What is a steam siphon and how can it protect my pressure gauge?” In this article, you will get the answer as well as details on the two most common types of steam siphons and how they work. You will also get my guidance on selecting the right siphon for your application. From this point on, when I mention the term siphon, I am specifically referring to a steam siphon, as other siphons can also dissipate heat for high process temperatures not related to steam.

Pressure gauges play a vital role in the operations of various manufacturing industries, offering valuable insights into processes and serving as an early warning system for potential issues. From detecting pressure spikes that could indicate blockages to identifying pressure drops signaling leaks, these instruments are essential. Many mechanical pressure gauges share the same fundamental components — including a flexible measuring element known as a Bourdon tube. So the challenge is selecting the right gauge for your specific needs. Seeking guidance from experts is a smart initial step in this decision-making process. Ashcroft is a trusted name in pressure measurement instrumentation with a rich history that dates back to 1852. In this article, you will discover what sets Ashcroft pressure gauges apart and why they are a preferred choice for customers across different industry sectors. You will also get access to additional resources and information that will help deepen your knowledge about how these instruments work.

If you are having difficulty understanding the differences between the Buy American Act (BAA) and Build America Buy America Act (BABAA), and how to ensure you comply with their requirements, you are not alone. Similar names and overlapping purposes make it easy to be confused about which law applies to you and how to ensure the products you purchase are in compliance with the law. As a global manufacturer of industrial pressure and temperature instrumentation for industries serving customers in the United States, Ashcroft understands how these laws affect our company and our customers. To help guide you, we’ve compiled a list of some of our customers’ frequently asked questions and documented our responses in this article. Read on for a high-level review of the BAA Act and BABAA Act, including similarities and differences between, the considerations for purchasing products for use in U.S.-based projects and how Ashcroft can help you find pressure and temperature instrumentation that meet your specific needs.

This article is based on a white paper written by John Carissimi and Jeremy Payne in 2015 and rewritten on May 6, 2024. Sour gas and crude oil operations involve harsh conditions with a high risk of corrosion. Metals and alloys used in environments with hydrogen sulfide (H2S) are especially prone to corrosion and stress cracking, which can lead to material failure and dangerous fluid leaks in your system. To enhance safety and prevent equipment failures, the National Association of Corrosion Engineers (NACE) established control standards for any instrumentation used in these types of applications. As the Product Marketing Leader for process gauges at Ashcroft, a global leader in pressure and temperature instrumentation, I have spent the past 15 years answering questions and guiding customers on the importance of ensuring compatibility between your instruments and process media. In this article, you will get an overview of the NACE standards that specifically address corrosion that can occur with exposure to sour gas or sour crude. You will also learn what to look for when selecting pressure and temperature instruments for your sour gas and crude applications. When you are done reading, you will be able to access additional resources to help make informed decisions about selecting instrumentation for corrosive operations.

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.

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.