HART info get wireless THUMS up
7 Dec 2009
The Hague, The Netherlands - Emerson Process Management has introduced the Smart Wireless THUM adapter, which, it says, will free up diagnostics and process data that was previously to costly and complicated to access in wired installations not equipped to receive HART communications.
Upgrading devices with the THUM adapter is easy and cost-effective as the device retrofits on most two- or four-wire HART device, without special power requirements, according to Emerson. Using the vendor’s AMS Suite, end users can then tap into in-situ meter verification for magnetic flowmeters and Coriolis meters, enabling significant operational improvements.
Emerson cites industry figures showing that 75% of control valves are unnecessarily removed from service for maintenance. The new adapter, it says, can resolve these iissues by adding capabilities including in-service valve testing, alert monitoring, and valve position trending to digital valve controllers.
The THUM can also allow customers to troubleshoot HART devices from their desk so they can optimise maintenance schedules, minimise downtime and reduce the time spent in hazardous areas. Transforming HART instruments into wireless devices will also increase visibility in applications such as tank gauging, radar level, ultrasonic level, flow, valves, liquid and gas analytical, pressure and temperature.
Among the early adopters, Chevron Phillips USA, has installed the THUM adapter at its chemical plant in Sweeny, Texas. There the device is enabling extra capabilities for Micro Motion Coriolis flowmeters used in fiscal accounting of product transfer between Chevron Phillips and an adjacent petroleum refinery.
“The required proving for fiscal transfer flowmeters is time consuming and a big expense for the plant,” said Stephen Fair, instrument measurement planner at Chevron Phillips. “To ease this issue, we plan to confirm our ability to extend the time intervals between meter provings by trending data from the Micro Motion meter verification tool against data from proving reports.
“Adding to the extended interval savings, use of the Smart Wireless THUM adapter on the remote flowmeters is making it possible for us to launch meter verification from the plant control room rather than making trips to the field. The adapters will also act as repeaters for other devices being added to the wireless network.”
The THUM adapter can be purchased alone or as part of the Smart Wireless Field Starter Kit includes a Smart Wireless Gateway, a 25-tag license for AMS Device Manager software, 5 to 100 wireless devices and Emerson-supplied SmartStart installation services.
