Although the industry operates on a 24/7 basis, there is a high chance that this operation is being done without a complete view if essential equipment is not monitored frequently (very common this routine is done manually and periodically even today). Unlike process supervision and control, the main focus of monitoring essential plant equipment is to reduce unexpected downtime, increase process reliability, and, of course, drastically reduce maintenance costs. As essential equipment, there are cooling towers, compressors, heat exchangers, pumps, fans, among others, which directly affect the vast majority of industrial processes, not only in the oil & gas market, but also in the chemical & petrochemical, mining & steel industry, etc.
Focusing precisely on this type of prevention, Emerson has developed a portfolio of solutions called Essential Asset Monitoring (EAM) which, through dedicated software with graphic indications and calculations based on the trend of real-time measurements of these essential assets, is able to determine predictive way the efficiency of equipment for our customers, ensuring timely decision making.
The ease of automation of current local measurements is achieved based on field instruments that have WirelessHART communication, which is a communication protocol widely used and adopted by several companies and which guarantees information with digital quality through the HART base already widespread in the market. The installation, which does not require wires, generates a reduction of at least 30% in initial investment, and around 90% in implementation time of field networks. The range of products that make up Emerson's Smart Wireless Solution is very extensive and can be applied in measurements of: pressure, temperature, flow, vibration, corrosion, level, discrete indications, pH and conductivity, valve position, among others.
We can cite as an example the focus on monitoring heat exchangers in an offshore environment, whose main functionality is to generate the analysis of the thermal efficiency of all exchangers, so that, instead of periodic maintenance, inspections and minor interventions are carried out to reduce the impact. or even daily production stops.
These gains can be easily estimated and measured using online tools available on the Emerson Process Management website. For more information, contact a Fluxo account manager.
Alexandre Peixoto is Wireless Business Manager at Emerson Brazil