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If you work in a chemical manufacturing facility, water treatment center or oil/gas refinery, you likely use pump systems to transfer products between different stations. Suction and discharge installations can be particularly problematic environments for the instruments used to monitor the pressure in these systems. If your instruments get damaged, the entire process can break down, so protecting them is a priority. Ashcroft has been a major contributor to water/wastewater pressure and temperature instrumentation for decades, so we understand the challenges of keeping instruments protected in harsh environments. Read this article for our recommendations for keeping your pressure gauges, switches, and sensors working properly, regardless of where they are positioned during pump system installations. Once you have finished reading, you will be equipped to determine the most suitable approach for your needs. Additionally, you will have access to relevant articles and guides to help keep your systems running smoothly.

Before you install a piping system for a new plant construction project or an existing plant expansion, it is important to conduct a hydrostatic test on the piping system. This test pressurizes the piping system and may expose instruments such as pressure indicators, switches and transmitters to pressures that exceed their capacity. At Ashcroft – a leading authority in pressure and temperature instrumentation – we are often asked by customers what they can do to prevent their instruments from getting damaged in over-pressure applications. Read this article to learn about 5 common strategies that we recommend to keep your instruments protected during the testing process. When you are done reading, you will be able to decide which approach is best for your specific needs. You will also be given additional resources that address other common questions we receive about keeping systems running safely and efficiently.

If you experiencing issues with diaphragm seal failure in your process, you are not alone. In harsh applications that involve corrosive media and other challenging conditions, diaphragm seals are your primary line of defense in protecting your pressure instruments from becoming damaged. At Ashcroft, we've seen practically every scenario that can cause a diaphragm seal to fail, leading to inaccurate readings and costly downtime. In this article, we will review how a diaphragm seal works, explore the three conditions that account for the majority of diaphragm seal failure — corrosion, high temperature, and fluid fill leakage — and offer some corrective measures to fix these issues. When you are done, you will have a better understanding of why diaphragm seals can fail and be able to identify and prevent potential issues in your own process. You will also find links to additional resources that will help address other diaphragm-related questions you may have.

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 .

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.

Options for pressure instrument mounting assemblies can seem overwhelming. There are endless combinations and products, each with its own configurations depending on how you’re using them. So, how can you get the proper assemblies to suit your project’s needs? How do you start looking in the first place? There are a few factors to consider when researching pressure instrument mounting assemblies. All of them can help protect your equipment and ensure successful processes. This article will focus on five of the top considerations when choosing the right assemblies.