When processes break down
As is common in valve station applications, this plant uses differential pressure transmitters to measure flow. The transmitters send their flow measurements to a PLC, dictating when valves and close based on the flow rate measured. Although there is a maximum flow rate in this application that the system can tolerate, this particular plant sets a custom flow rate limit below the maximum in order to prolong the system’s lifespan.
While differential pressure transmitters are an excellent solution for automating valves based on flow rates, the transmitter that the plant was using for this application was inaccurate. It wavered in its measurements, causing issues with correct valve opening and closing times, eventually leading to deterioration of the system and its components. The consequences of these issues were increased maintenance times, resulting in a lack of efficiency for the plant, and increased costs incurred due to replacing not only the pressure transmitters but other components in the filtration system.
In the past, the plant stuck with one brand of pressure transmitter, simply buying a new unit from the same manufacturer when one failed. As costs piled up from maintenance and parts, the plant reevaluated their reliance on this particular manufacturer and began the search for competing solutions.
Precision, Reliability, Ease of Use: The pillars of a good process measurement solution
The plant’s search process eventually lead them to VEGA. While plant leadership was intrigued by VEGA’s assortment of process measurement solutions, they were largely unfamiliar with the company. This is why, when the plant got in touch with them and explained the issues with their valve station, VEGA personnel traveled to meet with this new potential client at their facility and explore solutions to their problem. This session proved invaluable for plant operators as it allowed them to not only discover VEGA’s approach to their challenge, but also to try out these solutions themselves. By the end of the session, the plant gained a trusted new partner in VEGA along with a new differential pressured transmitter, the VEGADIF 85, that would serve as the much-needed replacement to the ailing sensors the plant employed in the past.
What influenced the plant’s decision to give VEGA its business? Plant operators put it down to a few key factors: the on-site application review that provided them with excellent support and a hands-on demonstration; the clear understanding VEGA demonstrated of their application and how it utilized differential pressure instrumentation; and the VEGADIF 85 itself, which amazed plant personnel with its simplicity and ease of use during their hands-on demonstration.
The VEGA Difference in differential pressure
Since switching to the VEGADIF 85, the plant has seen major increases in efficiency. The precise and reliable measurements of VEGADIF 85 pressure transmitters meant savings on maintenance costs and time, thereby allowing the plant to focus on other concerns. Maintenance time not only includes physical handling of installations, it also is made up of tasks like solution discussions in meetings and researching fixes to assorted issues. Plant efficiency has also improved due to VEGA’s customer support providing responses and solutions in a timely manner.
All of the increases in efficiency at this water treatment plant have in turn increased safety. Some installations are located in difficult areas at the plant and, thanks to the VEGADIF85 enabling reliable process automation, workers are not required to visit these areas as often.
Process automation provides water treatment plants with the time they need to focus on other concerns across the facility. That’s why it’s critical for plants to choose instrumentation they can depend on. That’s why this plant this plant chose the VEGADIF 85.
