Wireless network for PPG chemicals plant
13 Sep 2007
Austin, Texas — PPG Industries has installed Emerson Process Management’s Smart Wireless system at its chemicals production site in Lake Charles, Louisiana. The network uses ten wireless Rosemount transmitters for pipeline and steam header temperature measurement to enable operators to watch for cold spots and adjust steam throughput.
PPG also commissioned eight wireless Rosemount transmitters on the self-organising mesh for tank level measurements to provide backup of primary radar level measurements, helping ensure level control. It also plans to use Smart Wireless for temperature profiling of the entire expansive plant, enabling load sharing and balancing to maintain superheated steam plant-wide.
The installation follows field trials of Emerson's self-organising wireless networks conducted by a PPG cross-functional process and corporate IT personnel team. The team, said Emerson, verified the reliability and coexistence performance of the network, and also deployed it in the plant.
“Five minutes after installing it, the wireless network came to life. It's been there ever since,” according Tim Gerami, senior design engineer at PPG, commenting in a 10 Sept Emerson press statement.
Wireless transmitters allow PPG to install instrumentation that would normally be cost-prohibitive in the plant that covers around 765 acres and is dense with pipes, buildings and equipment. PPG estimates installation costs for wired instruments that include near $20/foot for wiring and conduit, said Emerson.