Siemens's Clamp-on Flow: The Benchmark in Installation Ease

Siemens's Clamp-on Flow: The Benchmark in Installation Ease

Clamp-on ultrasonic flowmeters are among the most cost-effective and accurate technologies for measuring volumetric flow and are preferred in flow measurement for several reasons:
  • Non-Intrusive Measurement: Unlike other flowmeters, clamp-on ultrasonic devices are installed on the exterior of the pipe. This means there's no need to cut into the pipe or halt the process for installation, leading to minimal disruption.
  • Low Maintenance: Since they are externally mounted and don’t have any moving parts, these flowmeters typically require less maintenance compared to their intrusive counterparts.
  • Flexibility: These flowmeters can be used for various pipe sizes and materials. Their design allows for adjustments, making them suitable for a wide range of applications.
  • Cost-Effective: Installation is generally quicker and easier than intrusive meters, reducing labor costs. Plus, there's no need to purchase additional fittings or shut down the system for installation.
  • Safe Measurement: Because they don't come into direct contact with the liquid or gas being measured, there's a reduced risk of contamination or leakage. This is particularly beneficial when dealing with hazardous or corrosive substances.
  • Wide Range of Applications: They can measure the flow of liquids, gases, and steam, making them versatile for different industries and applications.
  • No Pressure Drop: Since they are non-intrusive, there's no added resistance or obstruction in the flow, ensuring that the system operates at its optimal efficiency.
  • Ability to Measure Dirty Liquids: Some ultrasonic flowmeters can measure flows even when the liquid has some impurities or particles, which might be challenging for other meter types.
Even though clamp-on flowmeters come with a low cost of ownership and advanced features, they aren't as popular as other established flow measurement systems. Many customers view clamp-on meters as challenging to install and operate. However, Siemens has taken proactive steps to make the installation straightforward.

Siemens designed the SITRANS FS230 to enhance the user experience, especially for those new to clamp-on technology. This enhanced usability stems from the transmitter's advanced Human Machine Interface (HMI). This onboard system provides a complete set of help texts that explain menu items and guide users during the setup.

The HMI actively guides the end-user throughout the installation, offering assistance at every phase, ensuring even beginners achieve professional results.

What distinguishes the Siemens Clamp-on flow from competitors is its user-friendliness, leading to more satisfied customers.

For more information about Siemens clamp-on flow measurement in the Mid-Atlantic states, contact Ives Equipment.

610-768-1600
https://ivesequipment.com

The Critical Role of Qualified Technical Sales Organizations in Industrial Process Control

The Critical Role of Qualified Technical Sales Organizations in Industrial Process Control

As industries evolve and new technological advancements emerge, the role of a highly qualified technical sales organization has become increasingly vital in various industrial sectors. Particularly in industries such as water treatment, petrochemical, chemical, pharmaceutical, food and beverage, and power generation, a specialized technical sales team that sells industrial process control instrumentation and industrial valves is crucial in achieving business growth and success.
  1. Identifying Customer Needs: A skilled technical sales team possesses the knowledge and expertise to understand complex industrial systems. They can work closely with customers, identifying their specific requirements and challenges, thereby offering tailored solutions that best address their needs. This consultative approach builds customer trust and strengthens long-term relationships.
  2. Supporting Business Growth: Technical sales teams drive sales and revenue growth by providing appropriate and optimal solutions to customers. They actively seek out new opportunities and target prospective customers with offerings that match their unique needs. Their in-depth understanding of the technology enables them to align the company’s products and services with diverse industrial sectors' current and future requirements.
  3. Uncovering New Markets and Applications: A highly qualified technical sales team excels in discovering new markets and application areas where their products and services can create value. By leveraging their industry expertise, these sales professionals identify new opportunities and help expand the reach of their products into untapped markets. In doing so, they contribute significantly to the company’s growth strategy.
  4. Delivering Product Expertise: Industrial process control instrumentation and industrial valves can be complex products requiring high technical knowledge. Sales teams specializing in these products deeply understand their specifications, applications, and benefits. They can explain the intricacies of these products, helping customers make informed purchasing decisions.
  5. Providing Post-Sales Support: A qualified technical sales team doesn’t just close deals; they provide valuable post-sales support. Whether it’s assisting with installation, troubleshooting technical issues, or training the customer’s staff, these professionals ensure the smooth integration of their products into the customer’s operations. This service fosters customer loyalty and encourages repeat business.
  6. Mitigating Market Risks: In volatile industries such as petrochemical and power generation, changes in regulations, technology, and market demand can create uncertainties. A proficient technical sales team keeps abreast of industry trends and regulatory changes. They help their organization adapt to these shifts by offering products and solutions that align with the changing market landscape.
  7. Accelerating Innovation: Technical sales teams act as a bridge between the company and its customers. They collect feedback from customers regarding product performance, needs, and challenges. This feedback helps the company’s R&D team develop innovative products and solutions that meet emerging industry needs.
  8. Enhancing Customer Satisfaction: By providing tailored solutions, excellent customer service, and reliable support, a qualified technical sales team enhances customer satisfaction. Satisfied customers become brand advocates, leading to increased referrals and new business opportunities.
A highly qualified technical sales organization is indispensable in the industrial process control sector. Their in-depth knowledge, industry expertise, and customer-centric approach drive sales growth discover new markets and applications, and build strong customer relationships. As technology continues to evolve and industrial requirements change, the importance of these technical sales teams will only continue to grow.

Ives Equipment
610-768-1600

Plant Efficiency: Innovative Process Instrumentation Solutions by Siemens


In process instrumentation, Siemens has set a new benchmark by introducing cutting-edge control solutions. Leveraging top-tier technology, Siemens has engineered an array of innovative measurement systems that have the potential to redefine operational norms within manufacturing plants.

The primary objective of these solutions is to enhance plant efficiency, accomplished through process optimization techniques that minimize the potential for wastage and eliminate bottlenecks that could hamper operational speed. These advanced measurement systems significantly improve plant productivity and effectiveness by improving the overall process flow.

For more information about Siemens process instruments in the Mid-Atlantic states, contact Ives Equipment.

610-768-1600

Embracing the Future: The Transition from Siemens MFA 4p to the Feature-Rich SITRANS WM300 MFA

Why the Siemens WM300 MFA is the Best Upgrade from the MFA 4p

For many years, the Siemens MFA 4p has set the benchmark for motion sensing in numerous industrial plants. It's a highly sensitive single set-point motion sensor system primarily used for detecting changes in the motion and speed of rotating, reciprocating, or conveying equipment. It uses the Doppler effect to detect movement by bouncing a microwave signal off a moving object. The system then analyzes the reflected signal to determine if the device is moving at an appropriate speed. Its long history includes applications in various industries, including mining, chemical, and bulk material handling. It's excellent in detecting equipment malfunctions early, enabling proactive maintenance and preventing costly equipment damage or downtime.

In 2021, Siemens introduced the more advanced WM300 MFA. Despite being approximately 1/4 the size of the MFA 4p, the WM300 MFA boasts significantly greater capabilities. It can serve not only as a motion failure alarm, similar to the MFA 4p, but can also function as a non-contacting tachometer. The following key features set the WM300 apart:

Key WM300 MFA Features:

  • Its dual channel design enables the monitoring of two applications using a single electronic system.
  • Unlike the MFA 4p, which requires two separate configurations for slow speed and standard speed, the WM300 MFA has the ability to accommodate both in the same unit.
  • Optionally, it can provide an analog output, offering a signal proportional to the rotation speed of the machine.
  • When used with the remote amplifier, it's compatible with all existing MSP probes.
  • The WM300 MFA is designed to be space-efficient, with its size being approximately 1/4 that of the MFA 4p.
Given the rapid advancements in motion-sensing technology and the demand for more precise, reliable, and efficient operations, it is an opportune moment to consider a significant upgrade for your plant. The time may be ripe to embrace the future by transitioning from the Siemens MFA 4p, a long-standing benchmark in the industry, to the more advanced, feature-rich WM300 MFA. This strategic shift could drastically enhance your plant's operational performance and offer increased versatility, making your systems more robust and ready to meet the dynamic challenges of the modern industrial landscape.

Ives Equipment
610-768-1600


Webinar: How to Achieve Sustainability in O&G Profitably with Digital Instrumentation

Webinar: How to Achieve Sustainability in O&G Profitably with Digital Instrumentation

WHAT:
How to Achieve Sustainability in O&G Profitably with Digital Instrumentation

WHEN:
May 18, 2023 1PM EDT

WHO:
Jack Roushey, Marketing Manager, Process Instrumentation, Siemens Industry
Eric Heilveil, Marketing Manager, Process Instrumentation, Siemens Industry
Miles Szkoda, Host, Life Science Connect

Join Siemens hydrocarbon experts for a discussion on sustainability through modern process instrumentation, a core aspect of Siemens design. Topics include clamp-on ultrasonic flow meters, level measurements, zero-bleed valve positioners, and meeting stringent regulations. Concluding with a Q&A session, explore how adapting processes for sustainability is crucial for business success amid growing resource demands.

HOW:
For more information and to sign up, visit this link.

Meeting the Highest Standards: SITRANS FS230's New FM Class I Division 1 and Equivalent Certifications

The SITRANS FS230 clamp-on industrial ultrasonic flow measurement system now boasts FM (Factory Mutual) Class I Division 1

The SITRANS FS230 clamp-on industrial ultrasonic flow measurement system now boasts FM (Factory Mutual) Class I Division 1 and equivalent certifications. These enhanced approvals equip the FS230 to tackle the most demanding hazardous liquid or gas flow applications while maintaining top-notch performance and user-friendly operation.


The system features a "Digital Sensor Link" (DSL) as an external communication module for the SITRANS FST030 transmitter, specifically designed for hazardous applications. The DSL processes analog signals from the transducers, promptly converting the measured values into digital flow data. This information is then sent to the transmitter for processing. As a result, the system produces a robust, hazardous area-approved signal that is virtually impervious to interference, even in cable runs of up to 500 feet.


In nearly any hazardous environment where process flow must be measured without disrupting the pipe or the medium, the FS230 clamp-on ultrasonic flow meter presents an ideal solution.


Factory Mutual (FM) is an independent, third-party certification organization that tests and approves various products and equipment to ensure their safety and reliability in industrial and commercial settings. FM Global, the parent company, is a world-renowned insurance company specializing in property risk management and loss prevention.


In terms of hazardous area classification, Class 1, Division 1 (C1D1) refers to an environment where flammable gases, vapors, or liquids exist under normal operating conditions or may frequently exist due to maintenance, repair, or leakage. This classification is critical for industries like oil and gas, petrochemical, and chemical processing, where a spark or heat source could lead to an explosion or fire.


FM approval for C1D1 hazardous areas signifies that the equipment, devices, or products have undergone rigorous testing and meet stringent safety standards for use in these highly hazardous environments. This approval is critical because it helps to:


  1. Ensure the safety of employees working in these areas.
  2. Prevent catastrophic accidents or disasters due to equipment failure or malfunction.
  3. Minimize the likelihood of costly downtime, property damage, or loss of production.
  4. Provide a high level of confidence in the performance and reliability of the equipment.
  5. Demonstrate compliance with relevant industry standards and regulatory requirements.


In summary, FM approval for Class 1, Division 1 hazardous areas is crucial to maintaining a safe working environment, protecting valuable assets, and ensuring compliance with industry standards and regulations.


Ives Equipment
610-768-1600

Interface Detection in Differentiated Liquid Pipe Flow with Clamp-on Ultrasonic Meter

Interface Detection in Differentiated Liquid Pipe Flow

Interface detection in differentiated liquid pipe flow refers to identifying and monitoring the boundary between two immiscible fluids (liquids that do not mix) flowing through a pipe in process control applications. In industries such as oil and gas, petrochemicals, and wastewater treatment, it is common to have a line transporting two or more immiscible liquids, often referred to as a multiphase flow. Efficient and accurate interface detection is crucial for optimizing separation processes, minimizing product contamination, and preventing damage to equipment.

Ultrasonic sensors transmit high-frequency sound waves through the fluid and measure the time it takes for the waves to reflect the interface. By analyzing the received signals, the sensors can determine the position of the interface within the pipe.

In process control, interface detection is often combined with other control strategies, such as flow rate control or temperature control, to ensure the efficient and safe operation of the process. Accurate interface detection allows for better process optimization, reduces the risk of equipment damage due to improper fluid handling, and improves overall product quality.

The Siemens SITRANS FS230 clamp-on ultrasonic interface detector is an exceptional option for applications that necessitate the detection of differentiated liquid pipe flow. It achieves this by computing the sonic velocity and pressure while adjusting for temperature variations. This direct measurement approach for interface detection leads to significant savings in equipment utilization and slop oil treatment.

The FS230 interface detector can provide oil companies with highly accurate and dependable flow and interface information for a broad range of applications, such as:
  • Detecting gasoline interfaces
  • Identifying multi-product interfaces
  • Determining product types
  • Managing automatic batching control
  • Detecting entrained water and gas presence in all products
Ives Equipment
610-768-1600