About Company name: Emerson Group Headquarters: St. Louis, Missouri, USA Turnover: .7 bn (2013) Employees: 132,000 worldwide Products: process management systems, measurement and analytics, … Smart Wireless Technology helps improve leak detection New regulations often demand changes in industrial production sites. To meet the newly established requirements by the government, BP had to ensure continuous leak detection at its plant in Geel, Belgium. A wireless transmitter network by Emerson Process Management in combination with hydrocarbon sensors was installed to enable continuous monitoring of tanks, valves and pipelines. Leak detection on large sites can be both difficult and expensive. BP is using Smart Wireless technology from Emerson Process Management as part of a leak detection system that helps enhance safety at its chemical production centre in Geel, Belgium. The wireless technology provides a reliable way to gather information from hydrocarbon sensors that continuously monitor storage tanks, valves and pipelines throughout the plant, and to deliver that infor- mation to the control system so operators can be notified of any leaks. This automated monitoring system has enabled BP to meet the latest government regulations for storage and handling of flammable liquids. New regulations “BP is committed to reducing waste, emissions and discharges and ensuring that production facilities like the one in Geel meet the highest standards of health, safety and environmental performance,” said Bob Karschnia, vice president, wireless at Emerson Process Management. “By combining Emerson’s wireless technology with hydrocarbon sensors, BP has been able to expand the view the operators have and enhance its existing leak detection practices, helping to improve site safety.” BP operators were making twice-daily inspection rounds using portable leak detectors, but new and stricter government regulations required continuous monitoring. To meet these regulations, sensors that detect liquid hydrocarbons were integrated with Emerson’s smart wireless technology installed at Geel to enable cost-effective liquid hydrocarbon leak detection even from remote locations with the site. AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES 4/2014
Sensors and Measurement Wireless transmission The installation was user-friendly. Based on IEC 62591 WirelessHART communications, Emerson’s proven Smart Wireless technology eliminated the need for new instrumentation cabling and associated trenches and ducting, saving an estimated 50 % of the cost and 90 % of the time required to install a conventional wired system. The leak detection system uses Emerson’s Rosemount 702 Wireless Discrete Transmitters in combination with Pentair (formerly Tyco) Fast Fuel Sensors and Trace Tek Sensor cables. When one of the sensors detects xylene or benzene, the associated Rosemount 702 wirelessly transmits an alarm signal to a Smart Wireless Gateway that relays it to the control room, where operators monitor and record the status for accurate incident reporting and time stamping in the host control system. Leak detection for large sites The sensor cables are attached to the concrete base surrounding tanks so that leaks from the tank wall can be detected. They are also laid underneath connecting piping and draped around the tank flanges and manholes. The sensors have been installed to detect hydrocarbons in sump wells and pump skids. “Combining Emerson’s wireless technology with hydrocarbon sensors provides an ideal leak detection solution for large sites such as production plants and tank farms,” said Karschnia. “It’s another example of how users are taking advantage of this technology to gain business benefits – including enhanced safety and regulatory compliance – in applications beyond the process itself.” Photographs: Teaser/oranaments fotolia www.emersonprocess.com Providing unmatched precision. Delivering Providing 360° unmatched performance. precision. Advancing Delivering intuitive 360° performance. control. Advancing intuitive control. R2000 Detection 2DR2000 Laser Detection Scanner 2D 2D 2DLaser Scanner R2000 Detection – Object detection as easy it can be R2000 Detection – – Object – detection as easy easy easy it can it can it be can be be Stable, wobble-free scanning axis for precise field monitoring Stable, wobble-free scanning axis axis axis for for for precise field field field monitoring Highest angular resolution on the market allows detection of extremely small objects Highest angular resolution on on the on the the market allows detection of of of extremely small small small objects User-defined detection fields make configuration simple, intuitive, and user friendly User-defined detection fields fields fields make make make configuration simple, intuitive, and and user and user user friendly www.pepperl-fuchs.com/A-distance-ahead www.pepperl-fuchs.com/A-distance-ahead
