October 10, 2008 -- Emerson Process Management’s Smart Wireless field network is automating inventory management by monitoring levels in fourteen tanks at Technochem Environmental Complex Pte Ltd (TEC) in Singapore. TEC provides treatment, incineration, and distillation services for chemical wastes generated by pharmaceutical and petrochemical companies. In addition to delivering continuous level measurements from storage and process tanks, some of the fourteen Rosemount wireless pressure transmitters are moved from place to place to aid in troubleshooting and new process development in TEC’s continuous improvement culture. Because the wireless instruments are not fixed in position by wiring, Incineration Manager Jan Huijben takes advantage of their mobility and the fact that they can be reinstalled in a matter of minutes.
“If I see a problem in some part of our process, it is fairly simple for me to take a pressure transmitter and move it elsewhere,” Huijben said. “I can often determine what’s going on in just five minutes, address the issue and quickly return the transmitter to its original application. The flexibility of Emerson’s self-organizing wireless technology makes it much easier to troubleshoot problems as well as evaluate new applications.”
When Huijben arrived at Technochem slightly more than one year ago, an accurate tank level measurement system was needed along with an automated method of moving that data into a computer database. In addition to tracking and managing inventories, documentation was necessary to schedule incoming customer delivery and give status of their orders, including assurance that their chemical wastes had been treated and destroyed.
Wired devices were considered initially, but the high cost of wiring, even in this relatively small complex, was a drawback. When the new wireless technology was introduced to Technochem management, they were impressed by the ease of installation, the speed with which transmitters could be up and communicating from essentially any spot in the complex, the reliability of the self-organizing network, and the inherent flexibility and mobility of the wireless sensors.
The benefits have been apparent since the April 2008 installation of wireless pressure transmitters to report on tank levels, including elimination of “clipboard rounds,” more accurate real-time data for process efficiency, documentation to verify that specific chemical wastes have been destroyed, and access to the data via the company network. When management personnel are at another site, they can view the process data and order changes if necessary. Electronic connection of select data for customers is being developed.
The self-organizing nature of the Smart Wireless network is especially effective in delivering reliability and flexibility at TEC. With this technology, each wireless device in the network can act as a router for other nearby devices, passing messages along until they reach their destination. If there is an obstruction, transmissions are simply re-routed along the mesh network until a clear path to the Smart Wireless Gateway is found. As wireless sensors are moved or new obstacles are encountered in a plant, such as temporary scaffolding, new equipment, or a parked construction trailer, these wireless networks simply reorganize and find a way to deliver their messages.
All of this happens automatically, without any involvement by the user, providing redundant communication paths and better reliability than direct, line-of-sight communications between individual devices and their gateway. This self-organizing technology optimizes data reliability while minimizing power consumption. It also reduces the effort and infrastructure necessary to set up a successful wireless network.
Smart Wireless has turned out to be surprisingly effective at TEC, and further use is being planned. “At first, we thought this technology was too expensive for us, but we now believe we are saving money with it,” Huijben said.
About Technochem
Technochem Environmental Complex, established in 1982 in Singapore, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Modern Asia Environmental Group, which provides collection, treatment, incineration, distillation, recycling, and specialized industrial cleaning for customers throughout the Asia-Pacific Region. Services include chemical Incineration, waste management, used oil recycling, as well as chemical and laboratory services. The Technochem Environmental Complex in Singapore specializes in the incineration of chemical wastes.
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, 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 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.
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