Chemical Engineering August 2015 - 29

criminates between actual flames
and nuisance false alarm sources,
such as arc welding or hot objects.
The flame detector's advanced technology
makes use of a multiple infrared
(IR) sensing array that samples
different IR spectrum wavelengths.
The analog sensor signals are sampled
and converted into digital format
for signal pre-processing to extract
time and frequency data. The time
and frequency information are used
by the detector's neural network
classification algorithm to identify
whether the IR signals are emitted
from a flame or non-flame source.
The flame or non-flame decision is
then reported as an output via lEDs,
relays, analog, HART or Modbus.
With the NNT flame discrimination
algorithm, the Fl4000H is highly immune
to false alarms. The NNT signal
processing model also offers the
ability to adapt to customer application
conditions, resulting in reliable
flame protection with superior falsealarm
immunity.
Intelligent sensors can help users
detect gas leaks faster, says Antabian.
Technologies that have traditionally
been used to detect hydrocarbon
gas leaks, have all had one
limitation: in order for a leak to be detected,
the gas itself must either be
in close proximity to the detector or
within a pre-defined area. However,
in outdoor conditions, traditional
gas-detection systems sometimes
fail because environmental conditions
prevent the gas from reaching
the detector. In response, General
Monitors released the Observer-I ultrasonic
gas leak detectors (UGlD;
Figure 4), which are based on
acoustic technology, so they detect
outdoor leaks by sensing the distinct
high frequency ultrasound emitted
by high-pressure gas leaks. With
the ultrasonic detecting technology,
leaking gas does not have to reach
the sensor, just the sound of the gas
leaking, so by adding UGlD detectors,
faster response times and lower
operation costs can be obtained.
Final remarks
Whether you are monitoring pH, a
heat exchanger or the safety of the
facility, there is a smart sensor out
there that can help you see deeper
into the process, which provides
benefits in the form of reduced maintenance
costs, improved process efficiency
and safer facilities.
" The world of instruments used to
be totally under the world of control
systems, but today our sensors and
devices are reliable data sources
that can connect everything in the
plant to the local control system, allowing
processors to really rely upon
collected information to monitor
equipment that previously couldn't
be monitored, " summarizes Craig
McIntyre, chemical industry manager
with Endress+Hauser. " Usually the
benefits of this ability are not associated
with the devices themselves,
but in the value that is radiated and
generated by them. "
■
Joy LePree
When You Buy And Specify Valves, Do You
Really Know Who Made Them?
Many valve companies buy valves from brokerage firms
representing several foreign foundry operations. While
this may hold some prices in check, consistent quality and
finding replacement parts can be greatly compromised.
At Inline, we make our own valves. We pour our own
castings, and machine, assemble, and test the final valve.
With Inline you are getting a 100% traceable valve made
with certified ASTM grade materials as well as a valve
designed to ASME B16.34 standards.
With all these advantages, why would you not buy an
Inline Valve for your next job?
In stock and ready to ship.
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29
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