New Pressure Transmitters Add Versatility

June 1, 2004
Exclusive to CONTROL DESIGN: Two New Flexible, Modular Families of Pressure Transmitters Hit the Market

The proliferation of industrial communications protocols on plant floors can create problems for those of you who build and support turnkey automated process equipment skids.

Do you have to stock a variety pressure transducers that speak HART and Profibus and Foundation fieldbus? What about field changes? It certainly would be helpful if you could swap out components such as the display or sensor modules at the user site.

Endress+Hauser thinks it can be of service. The company introduced the Cerabar and Deltabar families of pressure transmitters with features that provide HART, Profibus and Foundation fieldbus capability by means of interchangeable circuit card inserts. In addition, the modular design of these pressure transmitters provides the ability to replace the display, electronics module, and sensor modules in the field.

"Our Cerabar S pressure transmitter is suitable for gauge and absolute pressure measurement in gases, liquids or steam in all areas of process engineering," says Scott Richardson, Endress+Hauser's pressure product manager. "It handles level or volume measurement in liquids."

The Cerabar S offers a choice of capacitative sensor and ceramic membrane; monosilicon-based sensor and welded metallic membrane or diaphragm seal, and a high-temperature version without the diaphragm seal. The Cerabar S capacitive ceramic sensor technology is unique, says Richardson, and is designed specifically for corrosive or abrasive applications. The measuring cell is a 99.9% pure aluminum-oxide sensor. Alumina ceramic sensors have improved reliability and corrosion resistance in highly aggressive media, most chemicals, acids, and bases. The ceramic sensor handles temperatures to 300º F, but one version with a 316 SS membrane and no diaphragm seal is designed for temperature measurement to 360º F. "This design eliminates zero-shift due to ambient/process temperature differential," say Richardson. "The sensors permit virtually no hydrogen permeation and are so durable they can be cleaned with a wire brush."

The Deltabar S differential pressure transmitters were designed specifically for differential pressure, flow and level applications and include the same capacitive ceramic sensor technology. "The monosilicon-based sensor with metal membranes provides the fastest response time on the market of any digital transmitter," claims Richardson. "This allows process changes to be visible more quickly and eliminates lag time."

In addition, flow functionality is built right into the transmitter, eliminating the necessity for a separate flow computer. The Deltabar differential pressure flow transmitter permits bidirectional flow, has a low-flow cutoff, and dual totalizers for counting daily/weekly/annual flow.

"The Cerabar S and Deltabar S are unique to the market," claims Richardson. "Transmitters are available with pushbuttons to do complete configuration at the transmitter. The external pushbuttons can be used without opening the housing."

Configuration and setup appear easy--prompted by menu-driven interface. "It actually can be accomplished in four different ways depending on the customer's need and preferred operating method," adds Richardson. "The user can configure via free software provided with the transmitter, with a HART handheld, with asset management software, or via the [optional] pushbuttons on the transmitter."

A Histo-ROM/M-DAT memory module enables quick duplication of measuring points without the use of a handheld configurator or configuration software. "We provide process monitoring of pressure/temperature values, events and transmitter configuration changes, and analysis and graphical evaluation are accomplished with our ToF tool software," says Richardson.

The Cerabar and Deltabar devices have built-in diagnostic software functionality, including a process window for predictive maintenance of the process, an operating-hours counter that allows analysis of transmitter history and events, the ability to easily check the integrity of the loop by simulating transmitter events, and a history of the past 15 alarm events to make service easy. In addition, the active diagnostics system monitors the measuring cell and provides an alert on sensor fail.

Both product families are being tested for SIL2,a recent evaluation from exida.com states that they're suitable for use in Safety Instrumented Systems.

"We designed with plant safety in mind," says Richardson. "Our 'theme' for this product launch is that these new pressure products combined with our new temperature transmitters offer customers a safe choice."

According to Richardson, Endress+Hauser research focused on designing a safe pressure alternative,by guiding the process according to IEC61508 standards,especially for the chemical, petrochemical, oil and gas, pulp and paper and primary industries. "The products feature a comprehensive safety package and intelligent operating and instrument concept," he states.

For more information, call 317/535-7138, browse to http://www.us.endress.com.