Sensor measures small flows of liquids
liquids in food plants.
The recent squeeze on their profit margins through higher input costs and a slow down in demand growth for their products has pushed the food and drink sectors to improve the efficiency of their processing operations. Plants are investing in more automation and IT applications in a bid to have a tighter control of their production processes.
Emerson Process Management's Brooks Quantim Coriolis Mass Flow sensor adds to the number of applications that can be used with the company's PlantWeb software, which is designed for industrial-scale computer networks. The software is used for input devices used in measuring plant automation processes.
The new sensor extends measurement to very low flow ranges of fluids at between 0.001 kg/hr to 28.0 kg/hr.
It is suited for metering small amounts of fluids in batch dosing processes, and metering fluids in small volume liquid filling systems. It is effective in flow measurement verification in metering pump systems, providing a calibration reference for other flow measurement devices, the company stated.
In addition to measuring mass flow, the device can simultaneously measure density and temperature. Piping and wiring during installation are simplified as Quantim has an integrated sensor, transmitter, valve, and control electronics.
Users can change liquids or gases without switching meters or recalibrating the device. Quantim has no moving parts in the area where process liquids and gases flow, which cuts down on maintenance requirements.
The sensor is about half the size of the Brooks Quantim model QMBC meter/controller. This allows more flexibility in tight spaces by giving companies the option of installing a transmitter in a separate location, as far as 500 feet (152m) away.
A Brooks transmitter can be selected, or plant managers can use an alternate device by another manufacturer.
Quantim is the lowest flow Coriolis metre and controller available on the market today, Emerson claimed. It has a footprint the size of a handheld organiser.
Emerson Process Management produces software and devices for automating production, processing and distribution in the chemical, oil and gas, refining, pulp and paper, power, food and beverage, pharmaceutical and other industries. The company's reported sales in fiscal 2005 of $17.3 billion.
Brooks Instrument is a subsidiary of Emerson.
