AUSTIN, TEXAS - September 19, 2007 - Emerson Process Management has successfully applied a Smart Wireless Solution to the problem of monitoring rising temperatures in railcars containing chemicals at Croda Inc, an international specialty chemical manufacturer. No matter where the railcars may be positioned at the Mill Hall, Pennsylvania plant, a wireless temperature transmitter on each car sends minute-by-minute temperature readings to a central host. Croda uses this information to improve the performance and safety of their facility. In this way, Emerson's wireless system contributes to overall plant safety, making operators aware of any unexpected temperature rise, while saving the company about $15,000 per year in reduced maintenance.
Normally, three railcars are remotely located on-site. Since the railcars are frequently moved, hard wiring of temperature sensors was not practical. Previously, an employee had to climb to the top of each car once a day to check the temperatures and record each reading. This was a time-consuming procedure that during wet or icy conditions presented a fall potential.The wireless temperature transmitters are quickly and easily installed atop a railcar upon its arrival at the site, and they remain there until the car is about to be removed.
The wireless communications pass through a 1420 gateway (receiver) and on to the plant's DeltaV control system. While the operators watch for rising temperatures, transmitter performance is simultaneously checked by Emerson's AMST Suite: Intelligent Device Manager, which will alarm if a transmitter ceases to operate or performs erratically.According to Denny Fetters, Instrument and Electrical Designer for Croda, "Emerson's wireless solution not only saves us time and money, since plant personnel no longer have to monitor those railcars daily, it has also greatly enhanced the overall safety of the plant and our personnel. We are pleased with the performance of the Rosemount transmitters and Emerson's self-organizing wireless network.
No matter where a railcar is positioned on-site, the quality of the transmissions is unaffected, and the signals integrate seamlessly into our control system." Emerson's Smart Wireless solution is an extension of the PlantWebR digital plant architecture, combining highly reliable, smart monitoring devices with wireless transmitters and a Time Synchronized Mesh Protocol (TSMP) communications technology. This innovative self-organizing network, which automatically adapts as device points are added or removed, has been extensively tested in real-world environments.
About Croda
Croda Inc is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Croda International Plc, a U.K. -based manufacturer and world-wide supplier of oleo and industrial chemicals. Croda Inc is part of a global network and offers one of the widest ranges of chemical specialties, surfactants and high purity lipids available to the Personal Care, Home Care and Functional Specialties, Health Care and Manufacturing Industries. Croda recently expanded its operations through the successful acquisition of Uniqema, a former division of Imperial Chemical Industries Plc.
About Emerson Process Management
Emerson Process Management, an Emerson business, is a leader in helping businesses automate their production, processing and distribution in the chemical, oil and gas, refining, pulp & paper, power, water and wastewater treatment, food and beverage, pharmaceutical, and other industries. The company combines superior products and technology with industry-specific engineering, consulting, and project management, and maintenance services to help customers achieve the potential of their operations. Emerson brands include PlantWeb, Fisher, Rosemount, Micro Motion; Daniel, Bristol, DeltaV, Ovation, AMS Suite, and CSI.
About Emerson
Emerson (NYSE:EMR), based in St. Louis, is a global leader in bringing technology and engineering together to provide innovative solutions to customers through its network power, process management, industrial automation, climate technologies, and appliance and tools businesses. Sales in fiscal 2006 were $20.1 billion.
