Foxboro positioners – intelligence now the norm

December 2017 Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration

Valve positioners are increasingly becoming an important diagnostic tool that can be used for predictive analysis of both valves and process equipment. The diagnostic data that can now be extracted, allows maintenance engineers and technicians to determine valve health and performance of process equipment such as pumps, heat exchangers and burners.

Diagnostics can be defined as the act of diagnosing a given symptom, issue or problem. The subject can be colocated with the person or system doing the diagnostics, or remotely diagnosed if the subjects are separated by physical distance, e.g. a remote pump station. Important information is exchanged either through wired or wireless communication protocols.

When applied to systems, a generally accepted definition of maintenance is “to improve the reliability of vital installations and reduce operating costs through avoiding unplanned maintenance by continuously monitoring the condition of the system.”

The benefits of intelligent instrumentation

Intelligent instrumentation allows the following additions to the predictive maintenance equation:

• Real-time process information.

• Self diagnosis.

• Process algorithms and control optimisation.

• Alignment of process information to online condition monitoring.

• Process variation feedback.

• Data integration with respect to exception algorithms.

The role of intelligent instrumentation is critical to providing accurate real-time feedback in terms of process performance and equipment condition.

Intelligent positioners are ideally suited to providing feedback on valve performance in real-time. For example, a history of position over time can be used to predict valve replacement based on the plug wear. Additional benefits of intelligent positioners include:

• Reduced installation and commissioning time.

• Improved valve control accuracy.

• Easier calibration and troubleshooting.

• Character tags for seamless reference configuration.

• All positioner variables directly accessible by the DCS/PLC.

For more information contact Gary Bantich, EOH, +27 (0)87 803 9767, [email protected], www.eoh-pas.co.za

Further reading:

Oils don’t die, they degrade
Wearcheck Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
WearCheck explores the main ways lubricants degrade in service and how these degradation modes affect oil performance and machine reliability.

Read more...

---

Real-time spectrum analyser
Vepac Electronics Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
The PXE series real-time spectrum analyser covers frequencies up to 20 GHz with a 100 MHz analytical bandwidth and ultra-fast sweep speed, supporting spectrum monitoring, interference finding and RF test and measurement functions.

Read more...

---

Preserving a French heritage landmark
Omniflex Remote Monitoring Specialists Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
Omniflex supplied a remotely monitored impressed current cathodic protection system for the Perret Tower in Grenoble, a protected French heritage site, combining 24/7 corrosion protection with integrated surge protection against lightning strikes.

Read more...

---

Operational efficiencies and safety compliance with preventive maintenance programmes
Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
Konecranes explains how its Lifecycle Care Preventive Maintenance programme reduces unexpected downtime, improves safety compliance and delivers measurable financial benefits for operators of cranes and lifting equipment across any make or sector.

Read more...

---

Portable appliance tester
Vepac Electronics Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
Vepac Electronics’ new portable appliance tester enables precise safety testing of electrical appliances in accordance with DGUV regulation 3 and BetrSichV, with simple three-button operation and battery-powered mobility.

Read more...

---

Why lubrication fails in mining and what to do about it
Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
Lubrication Engineers explains the recurring failure points behind mining lubrication problems and how the right product, storage and application practices can improve equipment reliability.

Read more...

---

When digital twins move from concept to critical tool
IT in Manufacturing System Integration & Control Systems Design Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
Digital twins are moving out of the lab and onto the mine, the factory floor and the transport network where they predict failures before they happen. Amritesh Anand looks at where they earn their keep, the data and integration work behind them, and the security questions every organisation should ask before switching one on.

Read more...

---

Why asset level intelligence is now essential for resilient wastewater plants
Schneider Electric South Africa Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
Sub-Saharan Africa’s wastewater operators face mounting pressure to keep ageing plants running smoothly and meet tougher environmental standards, all while lacking visibility into the health of their medium-voltage (MV) drives and other critical rotating assets. Adding predictive analytics, digital twins and enterprise dashboards enables optimisation across multiple sites, ensuring every drop moves safely and efficiently through the water cycle.

Read more...

---

How multiple boilers can minimise costly downtime
Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
Associated Energy Services explains how multi-boiler systems reduce downtime risk for South African manufacturers, covering redundancy planning, fuel source diversification and the strategic management of backup boiler capacity.

Read more...

---

Field calibration made easy
Instrotech Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
Instrotech’s locally designed and manufactured Calog calibrator range feature a rugged IP54-rated housing, backlit display with data logging via SD card, and a lithium-ion battery with approximately eight hours of run time.

Read more...

---