Emerson wireless prevents breakdowns at Coogee Chemicals

October 27, 2008
Emerson
Case Study

Summary

Smart Wireless instruments mounted on a rotating reactor at Coogee Chemical Company, Kwinana, Australia, prevent frequent reactor breakdowns and lost production time.

October 27, 2008 – Emerson Process Management’s Smart Wireless instruments mounted on a rotating reactor at Coogee Chemical Company, Kwinana, Australia, are credited with delivering reliable pressure and temperature measurements to prevent frequent reactor breakdowns and lost production time. Control of the process and product quality are greatly improved as a result, and productivity has increased substantially since the wireless instruments were installed in late 2007, according to Noel Shrubsall, electrical project officer at the plant.Coogee Chemicals produces a wide range of industrial, agricultural and mineral processing chemicals. Obtaining accurate pressure and temperature data from inside the plant’s rotating reactor is very important to maintaining process control, but wired instruments were not dependable in this environment, Shrubsall said. The failure of seals on the slip-rings connecting wires to the rotating equipment allowed the entry of moisture into the instruments. Unreliable temperature and pressure measurements resulted in poor control of the reactor, which had to be shut down two or three times a week.“The Smart Wireless solution provides a means of obtaining accurate pressure and temperature measurements from the moving vessel without having to connect wires to the measurement devices,” commented Shrubsall. “Wireless delivers reliability where it wasn’t available before.”The installation at Coogee Chemicals consists of two wireless instruments mounted on one end of a rotating chemical reactor and transmitting pressure and temperature data continuously to a nearby Smart Wireless Gateway. The data is passed from the gateway via Modbus communications to the programmable logic controller (PLC) controlling the process. More reliable inputs enable the PLC to improve both process control and product quality.“We are very impressed with this wireless technology, the way it communicates, and its potential for expansion,” Shrubsall said.About Coogee Coogee Chemicals is a privately owned company, headquartered in Kwinana, Western Australia, since 1971. The company produces a wide range of chemicals for Australian and International markets. In an industry dominated by large companies, Coogee has found market niches where it can add value to customers’ operations.About Emerson Process ManagementEmerson 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, 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, DeltaV, Ovation, AMS Suite, and CSI.About EmersonEmerson (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. Learn More

Did you enjoy this great article?

Check out our free e-newsletters to read more great articles..