Showing posts with label SITRANS FC430. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SITRANS FC430. Show all posts

Reducing Material Waste in Flexible Pet (Polyethylene Terephthalate) Production

Reducing Material Waste in Flexible Pet

Polyester is very popular because it is a light, soft, flexible, low-maintenance material that keeps you warm. Making it this way poses diverse challenges to PET producers.


A chemical plant specializing in producing PET was looking for a solution to reduce the waste resulting from product variance. The factory produces 25,000 tons of polyester annually, which is then provided to other manufacturers to produce a vast range of end products.

SITRANS FC430
The SITRANS FC430
monitors the glycol flow.
This vast range requires different PET grades, which are achieved by slight variations in the synthesis procedures. In order to investigate possible options to upgrade their primary processing, understanding the complete process is vital. In the case of PET production, this process starts with mixing three key ingredients – PTA and IPA powder along with glycol liquid – in specific ratios to make a paste.

These source materials are stored in stainless steel bins with a volume of 2649 ft3. Rotary feeders move the mate- rial from these bins to a batching vessel along with glycol to make the polyester paste. The batching vessel is agitated to ensure that the mixture is always consistent. Monitoring tank levels, precisely controlling the dosing, the efficient use of raw materials and ensuring a consistent mix are the key parameters
SIWAREX WP251
SIWAREX WP251
when it comes to improving the primary processing. When Siemens designed a new system for the chemical plant from the bottom up, the Siemens S7-1200 PLC controller was the first product that was installed to set up a compact and flexible automation solution, which keeps track of the key parameters and the process efficiency.

Don’t get mixed up during mixing

Each raw material bin is mounted on Siwarex WL280 ring torsion load cells to achieve optimum weighing accuracy. These load cells are connected to two Siwarex WP251 weighing modules, which are specifically designed for batching applications. The advantages of this solution are that the WL280 load cells feature a C3 class rating for accuracy as well as an IP68 rating for protection against dust and direct high-pressure cleaning – ideal for handling powder materials such as PTA. In connection with the Siwarex WP251, a customer-specific application was engineered with a resolution of up to +/- 4 million parts.

SITRANS TS500
SITRANS TS500
The glycol as the liquid component in this process is monitored by a Sitrans FC430 coriolis mass flowmeter providing a 4-20 mA output, which varies based on the flow rate of the material. This signal is fed into an analog S7-1200 input module. A Sipart PS2 positioner controls the valves to regulate the flow rate. In such flexible processes as this one, the operator individually sets the setpoint for total production. At the field level, this flexibility is achieved using Sinamics variable frequency drives, which independently adjust the flow rate of each material. To close the loop, the discharge rates from the raw material bins are monitored by the WP251. The output is then processed by the S7-1200 controller, sent through an analog module to control the Sipart PS2 positioner – which in turn allows more or less glycol to flow into the batching vessel. The downstream Sitrans FC430 flow meter additionally verifies the flow rate to ensure a high-quality mix.

How powder and liquid become PET

Pointek CLS200
Pointek CLS200
The temperature of the paste is another crucial factor when it comes to producing high-quality PET. If the agitation causes too much heat, the whole mixture could be lost, causing unwanted waste. In this configuration, a TS500 controls the temperature to the optimum level. To further cut down on product loss, a Pointek CLS200 capacitance- based switch acts as a backup device to ensure that the material discharges completely, and does not build up or overflow. Its high frequency oscillation makes it insensitive to product buildup, therefore guaranteeing reliable level monitoring in the PET paste vessel. For integrated control and alarm management, the level switch is connected to the S7-1200 controller. With 13 sensors, 2 VFDs, 3 geared motors, 4 modules and 1 HMI installed and connected to the control system, the plant managers reap the benefits of a comprehensive portfolio from one supplier. The new equipment is reliable and efficient and – together with the DCS solution – offers excellent process and data control.

Less material waste and reduced downtimes

SIPART PS2
SIPART PS2
Where did this leave the chemical company? After the equipment had been running for 3 months, the first estimates were made as to whether the initial goals of reduced waste and increased efficiency had been met. The result: plant efficiency had increased by 27 % due to the reduced material waste and product loss. Further, the more reliable process measurements and diagnostics help the company to service their equipment on a preventive basis instead of a reactive one, resulting in reduced downtimes and in- creased reliability.

Simplified diagram
Simplified diagram showing the customer’s process.
So the next time, you put on your running gear, take a sip out of a plastic bottle or attach your safety belt, maybe you will remember the effort that goes into producing the PET that is needed to manufacture these types of products. By the way – they have another important characteristic in common as they can be completely recycled.






Ives Equipment
877-768-1600
https://ivesequipment.com

SITRANS FC430 Coriolis Flowmeter Wins Control Engineering’s 2017 Engineers’ Choice Award

SITRANS FC430 Coriolis flow meter
SITRANS FC430 Coriolis Flow Meter
The Siemens SITRANS FC430 Coriolis flow meter, with National Type Evaluation Program custody transfer approval, for volume and mass liquid flow,  is a Control Engineering 2017 Engineers’ Choice Awards Winner.

The Siemens SITRANS FC Coriolis flow sensor delivers mass flow, volume flow, density, fraction and temperature measurement of both liquids and gases with exceptionally high accuracy and low pressure drop.

Siemens Coriolis flow meters are user-friendly to set up and use day-to-day. The meters stand up to the most demanding process industry conditions and continue to operate in the noisiest of environments – from hazardous chemicals to fiscal metering, custody transfer to compressed natural gas fuel dispensing. Its compact design makes installation easy even in the tightest spaces.

For more information on Siemens products, visit Ives Equipment here or call (877) 768-1600.

Compact NTEP Approved Custody Transfer Coriolis Flowmeter Means Easier Installation and Space Savings

SITRANS FC430
SIEMENS SITRANS FC430
Running an industrial plant carries with it a very high level of responsibility. You must adhere to the highest standards of safety and hygiene, ensure that your final products are of consistent quality, and comply with stringent industry and governmental regulations.

By combining the Siemens SITRANS FCS400 sensor and SITRANS FCT030 transmitter, the digitally based SITRANS FC430 is suitable for applications within the process industries. It is also one of the first Coriolis systems worldwide to achieve SIL 2 and 3 approval in hardware and software, respectively – the ultimate assurance of safety and reliability.

The Siemens SITRANS FCS400 is the market’s most compact sensor, making installation and replacement easier than ever. It provides an accuracy rate of 0.1% and high sensitivity for optimal measurement of even low flows. The SITRANS FCS400 features a very stable zero point, low pressure loss, and high immunity to process noise and plant vibrations.

The SITRANS FCT030 transmitter delivers multi-parameter measurements with enhanced efficiency, simplicity and security. Available in a modular design, it can be remote or compact-mounted with all SITRANS FCS400 sensor sizes. An enclosed micro SD card serves as a removable database of operational information and provides direct access to all certificates and audit trails.

The SITRANS FC430 is ideal for a broad array of process industries and applications, including:
  • Chemical. Designed for optimal performance in hazardous areas and compliant with a wide variety of certificates and approvals, including SIL 2 (hardware), SIL 3 (software), FM, ATEX, CSA
  • Food & Beverage/Pharmaceutical. High level of accuracy improves quality control, while multi-parameter measurement ability strengthens process management. 
  • Oil & Gas. NTEP approved for custody transfer and capable of measuring mass flow directly, ensuring performance is not affected by fluctuating process conditions. Unique tube design results in minimal pressure loss and high resistance to process noise.
  • Affiliated Industries/OEMs. Highly customizable nature offers versatility to meet the needs of customers in many different businesses, from food and beverage to automotive to HVAC, to oil and gas to pulp & paper and beyond.
Formore information, contact:

Ives Equipment
877-768-1600

Compact Coriolis Flowmeter with NTEP Custody Transfer Approval

NTEP approval
NTEP approval for
custody transfer

When oil and gas are physically transferred from one operator to another, the term custody transfer is used to describe the transaction. It is understood as the transfer of fluid material defined by a metering device, at a given location, to another party. Custody transfer occurs at a variety of locations including from production platforms to ships, trucks, railcars, barges, and also at the final destination, such as the processing plant or refinery.

Accuracy is very important in custody transfer as both parties and instruments such as flowmeters must have approval by the organizations such as the American Petroleum Institute (API) or the National Conference on Weights and Measures (NCWM).

The National Type Evaluation Program (NTEP) is an evaluation program overseen by the National Conference on Weights and Measures (NCWM). Manufacturers who carry NTEP approval comply with local state and government regulations regarding transactions selling, purchasing, exchanging, custody transfer, or establishing the cost for services on based on weight.

NTEP approval
Compact Coriolis flowmeter
with NTEP approval
Siemens has announced the SITRANS FC430 Coriolis flow meter now has National Type Evaluation Program (NTEP) CT approval for the USA and Canada. The approval is for both the measurement of volume and mass liquid flow, and offers high accuracy measurement with minimum of pressure loss. The SITRANS FC430's performance and custody transfer approval makes it an excellent fiscal metering tool for diverse industries such as oil and gas, petrochemical, and food and beverage.

For more information, contact:
Ives Equipment
www.ivesequipment.com
877-768-1600

The Coriolis Principle and It's Use in Flow Measurement

Image courtesy of
Wikipedia
The Coriolis effect acts on a medium that is accelerated through a rotating system, like a ball on a rotating disk its movement is straight, however, if the observer turns with the disk the ball is apparently deflected (see image).

The same effect occurs with a water hose that rotates around its own axis, like a skipping rope. As soon as water flows through the host also twists. The twisting is stronger or weaker, depending on the amount of water flowing through the hose.

Coriolis flow meters function according to the same principle (measuring the force resulting from acceleration caused by mass moving toward, or away from, a center of rotation).
Oscillation with flow
(courtesy of Wikipedia)
Oscillation without flow
(courtesy of Wikipedia)
 
The Coriolis effect also appears with an oscillating movement, and in a Coriolis flowmeter, two symmetric metal tubes are set vibrating by an internal driver coil. The tubes oscillate with a resonance frequency similarly to that of a tuning fork.

The oscillation is measured precisely by two pick-ups at the inlet and outlet sections. If liquids or gases flow through the tubes, a phase shift occurs the pickups measure the spatial and temporal displacement (twist). The amount of twist is proportional to the mass flow rate of fluid passing through the tubes. The greater the amount, the stronger the tubes oscillate outwards.

Finally, sensors and transmitters are used to measure the twist and create a linear flow signal as an output for monitoring and control.

This video, although marketing oriented, does a great job illustrating the Coriolis effect and how Coriolis flowmeters measure mass flow (the video references the Siemens SITRANS FC430 as the example).