The chemical industry manufactures a wide range of chemical and material products for industries that require durable and reliable measurement and monitoring technology for their production.
You need accurate and reliable measurement instruments that can stand up to harsh chemical environments. Misapplication or failure of instrumentation can lead to severe consequences like equipment loss, employee injury and environmental damage, so it is essential to use instruments engineered to withstand the severe demands of chemical processing operations.
This article will discuss some factors to consider when selecting the best pressure and temperature instrumentation for your chemical application.
Considerations when Choosing Instrumentation for the Chemical Industry
Here are some factors to keep in mind when you are selecting pressure or temperature instruments for your chemical or petrochemical application:
1. Safety Requirements
There are many considerations regarding application safety that impact the type of instruments you should choose. Ashcroft’s Acid Leak Detection (ALD) Assembly has a special yellow coating that changes to red once it is exposed to acids with a pH of ≤ 3, providing visual indication of a leak of process media. We also offer solid-front gauges such as the Ashcroft® 1279 Duragauge® Pressure Gauge, to prevent operator injury in the event of a rupture.
Do you have the right fill fluids? Are the assemblies all-welded? You must ensure the assembly design meets your application’s safety requirements. If you need to read your gauge in low-light conditions, use a retroreflective dial material like the Ashcroft DuraVis™ Gauge Dial. Unlike a reflective material that disperses light in different directions, DuraVis™ material reflects light back to the light source, making readability easier.
2. Media Compatibility
The sensor material you choose must be compatible with your process media. If you are using the wrong materials, you may encounter instrument damage or failure. Ashcroft provides a Material Selector and Corrosion Guide to help you ensure that you have the proper instrumentation for your application’s media.
3. Material Traceability
The materials you use depend on the specific application, especially in hygienic applications, but they should be traceable to ensure reliability. Material traceability certifies that the materials used in your application have records chronicling their creation. Ashcroft can provide documentation for some instruments showing exactly where the material is from.
4. Application Requirements
Your application has certain requirements for pressure range, temperature and other factors. Pressure reference (gauge/vacuum, absolute or differential) is the first step in determining which technologies can be used in a design. Your instruments must also be designed to handle extreme temperatures. Ashcroft offers equipment recommendations from a metallurgist on staff to ensure you have the right instrumentation.
5. Protection from Harsh Conditions
Pulsation, vibration, and pressure spikes can all damage your pressure instruments. Accessories such as pulsation dampeners, throttle screws, steel needle valves or diaphragm seals can help protect your equipment. A liquid fill can also help protect a pressure gauge in these situations. Extreme temperatures also require protection for your instruments. Accessories such as siphons and capillary lines can help protect your instruments.
We don’t like to pressure you, but we have more information.
Now that you know the factors to consider when choosing the right pressure and temperature measurement instruments, you can research the solution that’s best for your chemical or petrochemical application.
Keeping these factors in mind can help you avoid problems, keep your process running with reliable and accurate measurements, and ensure the safety of your workers when exposed to extreme operating and environmental conditions.
If you want to learn more, read some of our other blogs:
- How Does Media Temperature Affect Pressure Transducer Performance?
- Best Pressure Gauges for Ammonia Plant Applications
- Fill Fluid Options for Pressure Instruments
- How to Protect and Optimize Pressure Transducers on Mobile Hydraulics
Feel free to contact us today to talk to one of our industry experts and get your questions answered.