Emerson adds technology to improve safety of rotating machinery

Dusseldorf, Germany – Overspeeds on rotating equipment, such as turbines, compressors, and pumps, occur when operating conditions force the machine to run beyond its design limit – creating a potentially dangerous situation on the plant floor.

To protect equipment and personnel from damage caused by overspeed conditions in critical rotating machinery, Emerson Process Management has introduced a digital overspeed protection system, which is claimed to be the first to meet new industry safety standards.

The CSI 6300 SIS, which is TÜV-certified for SIL 3 applications, is said to comply with the latest version of industry safety standard DIN EN 61508:2010. It also complies with European Machine Directive 2006/42/EG and the API 670 standard for machinery protection systems.

Three independent sensors are used to monitor rotational speed, compares the measurements to configured safety limits, and uses two-out-of-three (2oo3) voting logic to verify an overspeed condition. If an overspeed condition has occurred, it shuts down the machine to minimise damage and danger.

Unlike previous overspeed protection systems, the CSI 6300 SIS provides rotational direction detection as an additional, SIL 2-rated safety function, according to Emerson.

Often applied to pumps, this application uses the same sensors that measure overspeed to detect rotational direction on start-up. This capability enables users to confirm pumps are working correctly – or take corrective action to avoid equipment damage and process upsets.

“Our users need confidence that their critical equipment and plant personnel are safe,” said Björn Salomon, general manager of Emerson’s machinery health management business. 

The new system, added Salomon, means companies are “also assured that their overspeed protection system complies with today’s safety standards, without the complexity of demonstrating that existing equipment meets the latest requirements.”