Measuring and Analyzing Gas Components Across Broad Range

Posted Today, under Analyzers
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Many applications including emissions monitoring, ethylene purity, ammonia slip, hydrocarbon gas composition, and more require the measurement of the concentration of various components in a gas mixture.

One technology used to perform this measurement is tunable diode lasers and laser absorption spectrometry (TDLAS). This fast, high resolution detects and identifies a range of molecules in the mid-infrared wavelength. Emerson’s Quantum Cascade Laser (QCL) analyzer is based on this TDLAS technology. Another technology, Tunable Diode Laser (TDL) spectroscopy technology identifies a range of molecules in the near-infrared band. Here are some common molecules requiring concentration measurements in industrial processes:

Emerson’s Quantum Cascade Laser / Tunable Diode Laser technology

Emerson's Koh Yee TiongIn an Industrial Automation Asia article, Advanced Hybrid Laser Technology Breaks New Ground In Gas Analysis, Emerson’s YeeTiong Koh describes how the combination of QCL and TDL technologies in the Rosemount CT5000 Series of analyzers expands gas analysis to both the near and mid-infrared range to enhance process insight, improve overall gas analysis sensitivity and selectivity, remove cross interference, and decrease response time.

YeeTiong opens highlighting the importance of gas measurement in many applications including: Continue Reading ▶

Triple Offset Valves and Molecular Sieve Adsorption Applications

Posted Yesterday, under Final Control Element, Oil & Gas
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Adsorption, different from absorption, is the process of the:

…adhesion of atoms, ions or molecules from a gas, liquid or dissolved solid to a surface.[1]

In process manufacturing operations, adsorption is sometimes used in dehydration or purification processes. In the oil & gas industry, this method is used to dehydrate and remove contaminants from natural gas.

Emerson's David Leavitt


At next week’s 2018 Offshore Technology Conference (OTC), Emerson’s David Leavitt will present a paper co-written with Marco Ferrara and Sergio Casaroli, Triple Offset Valves in Molecular Sieve Processes, as part of the Topside Innovative Processing and Design technical track.

Molecular sieves are made from a micro-porous material to selectively adsorb gases and liquids. They operate in an adsorbing (purification) mode and a regeneration mode, which recovers the solid and liquid molecules trapped during the adsorption phase. The regeneration mode uses large swings in temperature to free the trapped molecules.

This process switching between adsorption and regeneration is very hard on the valves controlling the flow, due to the frequency of on and off switching. Failure of a valve can affect safety, emissions and production. Continue Reading ▶

Simplifying Oil and Gas Production Site Installations and Operations

Posted 2 days ago, under Final Control Element, Oil & Gas
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Consider the flow path of oil & gas production from the well head. The first stop is typically the production separator where the oil, gas, condensation, water, brine and other fluids and sediment get separated. Traditionally, for multi-well sites, there is a test separator so that each well’s production composition can be assessed.

Emerson's Joseph Zawacki


In this arrangement the wells are connect to both a test and production manifold, with valves to isolate the flows from each well into the test separator when it’s being tested. Valves, often manually actuated, are required to open the flow to the test or production manifold, and from backflow to the well.

In and Oil & Gas Engineering article, Wellsite valve manifolds simplified, Emerson’s Joseph Zawacki describes how multiport flow selector technology reduces the complexity of the traditional approach and is:

…safer, less expensive, lighter weight, and more compact than conventional units.

He opens describing the importance of the flow testing process for oil & gas producers: Continue Reading ▶

Cybersecurity Guidebook for Reducing Cyber Risks

Posted 3 days ago, under Support Services
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One only has to do a cybersecurity news search to see the increasing worries and incidents that manufacturers face. The ISA/IEC 62443 series of cybersecurity standards:

…address the need to design cybersecurity robustness and resilience into industrial automation control systems (IACS).

A new, comprehensive Cybersecurity Guidebook for Process Control is available to help you and your organization take the necessary steps to reduce the risks associated with cyber incidents.

Emerson’s Process Systems and Solutions president, Jamie Froedge open this guidebook:

Emerson's Jamie FroedgeBy leveraging the connectivity of the broader business network, manufacturers have revolutionized interconnected processes, but also encountered new risks to the safety, profitability and reliability of plant operations. Cybersecurity needs to be in every operational conversation not just today, but every day going forward.

An important factor in implementing a cybersecurity program is change management. Emerson’s cybersecurity leaders have compiled this brief guide based on the Start-Stop-Continue Change Management model to help you lead organizational change and take immediate steps to make your operations more secure.

Sections highlighting the Start-Stop-Continue recommendations include: Continue Reading ▶

Applying Density Meters in Liquid Hydrocarbon Measurement

Posted 6 days ago, under Flow
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Emerson's Dean Minehart


We often discuss aspects of some of the basic measurements in process control—flow, temperature, pressure, level, etc. Some other very important measurements in applications such as custody transfer, liquid interface detection, blending, separating, evaporating and product change—are density and viscosity—due to the changing composition of hydrocarbon liquids.

In a whitepaper, Application of Density Meters to Liquid Hydrocarbon Measurement, Emerson’s Dean Minehart highlights passages from the American Petroleum Institute (API) Manual of Petroleum Measurement Standards (MPMS) that give guidance on online density meter selection/operation, sampling system design and field proving methods.

He opens noting:

Continuous density measurement may be accomplished with a device located in the main flowing stream or in a slipstream. Density measurement is utilized in both volumetric and mass measurement systems. Volumetric measurement requires the use of density to determine correction factors for temperature and pressure on a flowing liquid. Inferred mass measurement systems require density measurement at meter conditions to determine mass flow. Direct mass measurement systems require online density measurement at a meter prover to determine prover mass and calculate a mass meter factor.

The application will determine the selection of the right density meter to use. Continue Reading ▶

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