If you work in an industry that involves high-heat processes, such as oil and gas and petrochemical applications, you know the challenge of keeping your pressure and temperature measurement instruments working effectively. These instruments are put to the test daily with exposure to extreme temperatures, abrasive chemicals and other elements that may not be compatible with the wetted components (parts that are in contact with the process). The industry solution for protecting pressure and temperature instruments in these applications is to use isolators, commonly known as diaphragm seals, to isolate the instrument from the process. But how do you know the type of seal that is best for your operation? Ashcroft is an industry-leading manufacturer of diaphragm seals and frequently works with customers to address this issue. As the product leader for diaphragm seals, I want to share my insights and solutions that you can use as a reference for your needs. Read on to learn common challenges for diaphragm seals and assemblies, considerations for choosing diaphragm seals and how to protect them (and other instruments) from damage in your specific application .

Diaphragm seals and isolation rings are both integral to the safe and efficient operation of your application. Whether it is a chemical plant, water treatment plant or mining facility, isolators such as diaphragm seals and isolation rings are used throughout the plant to protect instrumentation from harsh process media. But what’s the difference between the two? When would you use a diaphragm seal instead of an isolation ring? Throughout my career, I’ve heard this question a lot. This article will describe the two and explain the situations in which you would use one over the other and why.

A diaphragm seal is a useful accessory to protect your pressure measurement instruments from corrosive media or clogging from sludge or slurries, especially in wastewater processing. But diaphragm seals can also be at risk of clogging, which can lead to equipment failure and put a stop to your process. So, how can you help protect your diaphragm seal from the negative effects of this type of process media?

This article was originally published on April 18, 2022, and was updated on April 17, 2024. No matter what industry you work in, diaphragm seals (also referred to as isolators) and welded assemblies are used to protect your pressure and temperature instrumentation from corrosive process media. After decades of making quality pressure and temperature gauges and sensors to help keep processes performing reliably and efficiently, Ashcroft has seen just about every scenario where something can go wrong. One reason we like to share our expertise is to help people like you who may be experiencing a similar issue that we can help solve. In this article, you will learn what a welded diaphragm seal assembly is and how it is used to help mitigate the damaging effects of high temperature, pulsation and vibration endured by your instruments. You will also see how these assemblies can ensure reliable and accurate pressure readings of your process. When you are done, you will find links to additional resources that can help you learn more about related topics.

Diaphragm seals are a vital component to many applications that must ensure the safety of pressure measurement instruments in harsh environments. A quality diaphragm seal can provide a leak-tight and corrosion-resistant seal between a pressure instrument and your process. For many applications, a flanged diaphragm seal connection provides a convenient way to attach instrumentation directly onto flanged process piping without having to use threaded connections. But how do you properly install a flanged diaphragm seal to maximize its benefits?

There’s a wide range of accessories for your pressure instruments that can help make your process safer, more efficient and precise. Snubbers, dampeners, capillaries, pressure limiting valves, siphons and other accessories are common additions to the most challenging applications. One question I’ve heard often during my time in this industry is: do these accessories impact the accuracy of pressure measuring instruments?