How Wireless Technology Takes Pump Monitoring to Extremes

Related Vendors

EagleBurgmann Germany GmbH & Co. KG

Elementar Analysensysteme GmbH

Glatt Ingenieurtechnik GmbH

Emerson Process Management GmbH & Co. KG

Emerson Process Management GmbH & Co. OHG

Wireless technology eliminates the need for wire-related installation activities; in addition, factory-commissioning, remote configuration and diagnostics, and simple set-up procedures make the commissioning of wireless devices faster and easier, even for those with less experience. Studies have shown that wireless technology provides a cost effective solution enabling savings of 30 % or more over the installed cost of a wired alternative.

In addition, once a wireless network has been established at a site it is scalable. Additional wireless-enabled instrumentation can be installed quickly to provide further level measurement points as the plant expands, enable continuous monitoring or used temporarily to identify particular issues.

Wireless Pressure Transmitters Help Prevent Cavitation

As users have explored the new opportunities provided by wireless technology, manufacturers such as Emerson have responded by offering an expanded range of devices with integrated wireless connectivity. For example, in pump monitoring installations, wireless pressure transmitters such as the Rosemount 3051S can be used to detect fluctuations in discharge pressure to prevent cavitation and impeller damage.

Wireless temperature transmitters can be deployed to detect changes in pump temperature possibly caused by damage to pump internals or seal failures. Magnetic sensors and wireless vibration transmitters provide an early warning of excessive vibrations, which may indicate bearing wear which will eventually lead to pump failure.

This greater flexibility has expanded the range of applications for wireless networks particularly for smaller localised installations. Most wireless gateways typically support up to 100 devices — while this capacity is ideally suited to many plant applications, there is also a need for a smaller gateway to support fewer devices in remote locations. Emerson meets this requirement with the new Smart Wireless Gateway 1410. This compact, easy to install gateway is designed to be used in remote field applications with smaller networks (up to 25 devices), but still features the security and diagnostics required to ensure safe and reliable operation.

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