Be it pressure, flow, level, density or interface applications with gases, liquids or steam, differential pressure (DP) measurement is a technology suitable for many processes. DP sensors are capable of measuring an extreme range of process temperatures and pressures. Modern DP transmitters must be able to cope with ever-increasing requirements in terms of safety, reliability and long-term stability in industrial processes. Changes in process conditions can present a challenge for DP measurement as these changes can influence the actual measurement uncertainty.
To ensure the best performance under all process conditions, KROHNE performs total 3D linearisation of each DP transmitter to compensate for possible influencing factors in combination. This provides for a robust and accurate differential pressure measurement, even under changing process conditions.
Innovative measuring cell
There are three influencing factors on the measurement uncertainty of DP transmitters:
1. Linearity of the differential pressure (DP).
2. Ambient temperature effect (T).
3. Line/static pressure effects (SP).
These influences can be caused by changing process conditions and may result in inaccurate readings delivered to process control by the DP transmitter.
To overcome this, KROHNE has a new innovative approach on the DP measuring cell design. The DP cell itself has extremely small dimensions and a low mass. The reduction of unnecessary material assures fast reaction on ambient temperature changes. The small dimensions reduce the amount of fill fluid volume to assure the lowest possible ambient temperature effect. The small diaphragm footprint provides a small area force at high static pressure ranges of
Active compensation with built-in sensors
The innovative design does not stop on the outside, the internals of the measuring cell were also re-engineered: Additional to the silicon-based piezoresistive differential pressure sensor, an absolute pressure sensor on the low pressure side and a temperature sensor are built into the measuring cell. These additional sensors are required for the total 3D linearisation that is performed on every OPTIBAR DP device produced.
These sensors can provide additional valuable information about the process, such as the static line pressure or the state of DP-cell temperature to maintain safe conditions for the operator. All sensor values can be submitted via HART, fieldbus communication or on a secondary current output to the control system.
The KROHNE total 3D linearisation starts by running a full raw data acquisition to measure the uncertainty against a known reference on a minimum of 400 discrete measurement points.
Every DP cell passes through its entire specified operational range – for example:
• Differential pressure range P: -500 … +500 mbar*.
• Ambient temperature range: -40…+85 °C / -40…185 °F.
• Static line pressure: 0…160 bar / 0…2320 psi.
The result is a three-dimensional (‘3D’) matrix of individual linearisation coefficients for each measuring cell. They are passed through a correction polynomial and are uploaded to the measuring cell front-end electronics. After this raw data acquisition run, a final calibration run is performed to confirm that each individual DP cell complies with KROHNE’s stringent 3-sigma performance specifications.
After passing the total 3D linearisation, the measuring cells are connected to an OPTIBAR DP transmitter. All relevant parts are marked with a bar code so that all production and calibration data can be traced for each transmitter.
Added benefits: no periodic re-adjustments
The typical installation of a DP transmitter in the field requires several important steps for a proper commissioning. Once the transmitter is physically installed, the zero-point adjustment is performed and the span is calibrated using a portable field pressure calibrator. It should be noted that with processes with high static pressures, the transmitter must be isolated from the process and calibration must be performed by trained and experienced personnel. Conventional transmitters are usually re-verified in the field at regular intervals.
With KROHNE’s total 3D linearised differential pressure transmitters, time consuming commissioning calibrations can be reduced. The significant extension of re-verification intervals further reduces the total cost of ownership. Frequently-changing line pressures do not cause any drifts due to the internal absolute pressure sensor and the total 3D linearisation.
Available transmitters
KROHNE offers two DP transmitters with total 3D linearisation. The
The
For more information contact KROHNE SA,
| Tel: | +27 11 314 1391 |
| Fax: | +27 11 314 1681 |
| Email: | salesza@krohne.com |
| www: | www.za.krohne.com |
| Articles: | More information and articles about KROHNE |
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