For almost 40 years Vega has been developing and producing pressure transmitters and is one of the market leaders in the area of ceramic-capacitive pressure transmitters. For the last 16 years, differential pressure transmitters have been part of the product line. However, until recently, these products were not comparable to plics instruments. Now, Vega has integrated its differential pressure transmitters into the new measurement technology at the specific request of many of its customers.
Vega’s plics concept is based on a modular housing system, customisable process fittings and standardised adjustment for all measuring principles. The plics system makes everything easier, from selecting the right instrument and ordering and through to set-up, maintenance and service. This modular system allows the user to combine the exact performance features needed to solve the measurement problem, both from a technical as an economic perspective.
Once a user understands the plics system, it is possible to apply the set-up, wiring and adjustment concept to any application and even to other measuring principles. The broad range of technology and the ‘easy choose – easy use’ concept brings an element of security and dependability to every application. The plics is a practice oriented system, complete with Ex approvals and SIL classification that offers individual selection and combination of sensors, process fittings, electronics and housings.
For the engineering department this translates into easy, straightforward planning and instrument selection. For the plant builder it means short delivery time, uncomplicated connection and quick set-up, and for the user it means operational reliability, simplified maintenance and reduced inventory costs.
Vega’s product manager for pressure instruments, Michael Hanning, says, “The market for differential pressure transmitters in process automation is increasingly hard fought and there are many competitors out there with excellent measurement technology. Due to the in-house development of the plics hardware and software, these instruments now have a completely different significance for Vega. We are determined to tap the full potential of our ceramic-capacitive pressure measurement technology. Consider our products based on the Certec measuring cell for instance.”
Ceramic-capacitive Certec measuring cell closes validation gap in the pharmaceutical industry
Many plant operators in the pharmaceutical industry know the problem: a pressure transmitter switches to fault mode or no longer delivers a valid measured value. It is actually no big deal, a spare instrument is quickly installed and within minutes the new instrument is working and production is up and running again.
But why did the instrument fail?
Damaged or cracked metal diaphragms are one of the most frequent causes of failure in pressure transmitters. The result is that the isolating diaphragm liquid, which serves as a transmission medium between the separating diaphragm and sensor element, leaks into the process. The fault may not even be noticed by the sensor electronics, since the product itself also exerts a measurable pressure on the sensor. The exact time of damage can therefore not always be determined.
The isolating diaphragm liquids used are generally subject to FDA regulations and are not harmful to health. For the plant operator, however, they represent a product quality risk. The implemented transmission oils do not mix well with the water-based pharmaceutical products – serious contamination is sometimes the result.
The pressure transmitters with ceramic-capacitive Certec measuring cell from Vega offer a solution for these quality and validation processes. The ceramic measuring cell works without transmission liquid and ideally satisfies all requirements of the pharmaceutical industry. The measuring cell is dry, self-monitoring and registers both damage to the diaphragm and moisture leaking into the sensor.
The diaphragm, which consists of sapphire ceramic, is 10 times harder than high-grade steel and easily resists abrasive media. The diaphragm and ceramic body are joined together with a glass solder, allowing constant product temperatures up to +150°C. The design is completed by a sophisticated sealing concept, depending on process requirements a double seal, or a hygienic form, can be implemented. High surface finish provides optimal cleaning and sanitation.
For more information contact John Groom, Vega Instruments SA, +27 (0)11 958 1901, [email protected], www.vega.com
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