The Dynasonics / Badger Meter TFX Ultra Clamp-on Ultrasonic Flow Meter

The TFX Ultra transit time ultrasonic meters from Dynasonics / Badger Meter measure volumetric and energy flow of clean liquids, as well as those with small amounts of suspended solids or aeration, such as surface water or sewage. It works by transmitting ultrasonic waves from outside the pipe into the liquid and propagate upstream and downstream.  The flow velocity is determined by the difference in the time of flight and is used to calculate the volumetric flow.

For more information, contact Swanson Flo. Visit their website at https://swansonflo.com or call 800.288.7926.

Mitigate Hammer in Flashing Condensate Return Systems with Vertical Riser Piping

TLV Consulting and Engineering Services constructed a clear piping system to visualize the complex bi-phase flow within a steam condensate return system to determine if water hammer can be reduced or eliminated in certain less-than-ideal piping configurations.  Sometimes, condensate returns are incorrectly considered to be single-phase flow, but in reality the pipe volume can be primarily filled with flash steam. This creates a two-phase flow condition that presents challenges to the desired action of gravity drainage. Elevation changes in 2 phase condensate return lines are particularly prone to creating condensate backup which can lead to damaging water hammer. The damage can be particularly severe due to the magnitude of condensate mass present as the pipe size increases in diameter.

Two scenarios are examined. First is a commonly seen piping installation of flashing condensate with a vertical rise. Wave action can be seen in the top pipe. It is caused by high velocity steam moving over the surface of the liquid gradually forming waves within the pipe. When the wave grows large enough, it momentarily seals the cross section of the pipe, building a pressure wall behind it. This causes a slug of water to be sent down the line, potentially causing serious damage to piping, valves, gaskets or fittings.

Additionally, in a flashing condensate line, the vapor space is occupied by low energy flash steam which can collapse and generate hammer as condensate rushes into fill the void. In this video, the vapor is non-condensing air, so the violent back slam of condensate filling an instantaneous void is eliminated for safety purposes. The second video introduces a non-ideal method incorporating a drop down loop seal (or DDLS)to help mitigate some water hammer effects. The ideal solution is always to incorporate gravity drainage in the flashing condensate return system design. However, when gravity drainage was not accomplished during the original design, the DDLS may reduce hammer and can be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by a professional engineer for suitability and safe operation. Notice the less violent flow draining into the loop where the wave action was occurring in the upper pipe.

This piping configuration minimizes the length of pipe where surging can occur and reduces the mass of potential water slugs. The result can be smoother flow with lessened water hammer. Although the DDLS is demonstrated using a loop with horizontal piping to enable visualization of the vapor/liquid interface promoting upward flow, it is considered that joining two long radius elbows with no horizontal section between them could further reduce hammer.

For more information about proper steam or condensate system design, contact Swanson Flo. Call them at 800-288-7926 or visit their website at https://swansonflo.com.

Radar Level Transmitter for Water (and Other Liquids) in Narrow Tanks With Obstructions

The Schneider Electric 80 GHz Radar (FMCW) Level Transmitter for liquids in narrow tanks with internal obstructions.

This device is a non-contact radar level transmitter that uses FMCW technology. It measures distance, level and volume of liquids and pastes. It has an empty spectrum function that filters false reflections caused by equipment inside the tank.

• LR75 Free Space Radar
• 80 GHz FMCW technology
• cQPSus XP
• 4 -20mA /HART® 7
• 1/2" NPT Cable Entry
• Backlit Display
• (-14.5..580 psig) I (-40 deg F to +302 F) / FKM/FPM Process Seal
• 1-1/2“ DN40 Lens Antenna
• 1-1/2“ NPT ASME Process Connection
• Very low cost of ownership 

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LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS PRODUCT BY FOLLOWING THIS LINK

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Radar Level Transmitters: Frequency, Beam Width, and Beam Width Calculators

Radar level transmitters provide non-contact level measurement. All radar level detectors send microwave beams, emitted from a sensor, to the surface of the liquid in a tank. The electromagnetic waves returns back to the sensor after hitting the surface of the fluid. Radar is the preferred technology for level measurement in many of today’s industrial applications. Newer high-frequency technology (80 GHz) offers advantages in certain application to older low (10 GHz) and mid-frequency (24 GHz) technologies. Selecting the best microwave frequency for your application is crucial. In as much, understanding the relationship between frequency and beam angle is very important.

In this video, Jeff Blair, Offer Manager for level products at Schneider Electric, presents the difference in beam angle at various frequencies. He also demonstrates how to use Beam Angle Calculators to determine beam width at various places in a tank or vessel.

For more information about radar level instrumentation, contact Swanson Flo. Call them at 800-288-7926 or visit their website at https://swansonflo.com.

COVID-19 Update

We at Swanson Flo Company continue to navigate the ever changing COVID-19 pandemic. We are closely monitoring and following the guidance available through the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO) and state and regional public health authorities. We are committed to keeping the safety of our customers, business partners, and team members at the center of all our decisions and actions.

Securing our supply chain is a priority for us. We are working with all of our key suppliers on a daily basis to monitor any potential supply disruption and /or material shortages that may impact us and you. As of today, we have not recorded any specific disruptions of our upstream supply chain. Shipments to our customers are still flowing and our inventory is considerable.

Swanson Flo is:

• Fully Operational - SwansonFlo Company remains open during normal business hours.  Our territory managers will still make in-person visits upon request. We are using all available communication techniques to continue to provide excellent customer support.
• Continues its Technical Assistance and Support – Our customer service team is able to answer your questions and take orders via phone or email. We will not change our commitment to providing exceptional client services delivered by a team of highly qualified individuals.
• Continues its Service Capabilities – Our highly trained service and repair experts are available via phone or in person via request.

The health and welfare of our employees and customers are of top concern. We are committed to taking the steps necessary to provide a safe work environment and to minimize any disruption of service to our valued customers. We will continue to evaluate this developing situation and we will advise you of any anticipated changes to our process. In the meantime, please contact us at (800) 288-7926 or sales@swansonflo.com.

As always, Swanson Flo greatly appreciates your business.

Instrument Weatherization Doesn't Only Mean Ice, Heat, and Cold - Don't Forget Wind!

Weatherization is about more than just temperature when it comes to instrumentation. One example is the effect of storms and wind on draft range transmitters used to control furnaces in process plants.

Protecting Draft Range Transmitters from Storms and Wind

Normally, you wouldn’t think about an enclosure in the furnace or boiler area on these applications because they are measuring air flow or air pressure and are not subject to freezing. Pressure measurement in furnace and boiler combustion is critical for safety, efficiency and environmental control.

It doesn’t require heavy wind to cause problems: a 5 – 7 mph wind across the ambient pressure port might cause a 0.1” pressure change, 12 – 15 mph may create a 0.8” change. When the full range is 1 – 2” that can be a 40 – 80% error reading.

Even light wind across the open port can cause 10% error.

For example - in a a draft transmitter with full scale of 1” H2O ...

• 5 – 7 mph wind can cause up to a 10% full scale error.
• 12 – 15 mph wind can cause up to a 75% full scale error.

The pressure range is so small, often just 1 – 2” of H2O or 2 – 4 mm of Hg, that even a light breeze might cause automated dampers to fluctuate or trigger systems to shut down. Using a differential pressure transmitter the reference measurement is vented to atmosphere, where air flowing past the open port creates pressure changes and errors in furnace, heater and boiler combustion box pressure. As part of the Safety Instrumented System these measurement errors can create nuisance maintenance and shutdowns affecting the entire unit.

A Solution That Works

The O'Brien VIPAK Draft Transmitter enclosure, is a field tested and proven solution addressing the common sources of draft transmitter installation error with:

• Still Air Chamber
• Atmospheric Equalization
• Uniform Capsule Temperature

The O'Brien VIPAK draft range transmitter enclosure atmospherically equalizes the still air chamber for the transmitter and manifold. The pressure inside the enclosure changes at the same rate as the barometric pressure but is unaffected by wind or wind gusts.

The enclosure system also ensures that both sides of the instrument measurement capsule are at the same temperature. Since these instruments are often placed near the furnace, heater or boiler one side can be hotter than the other creating an error in measurement.

Real World Use Case

A large refinery was experiencing furnace upsets and shutdowns caused by storms and wind in the unit. They installed two O'Brien Draft Transmitter Enclosures on their most trouble prone units as a trial. After a severe storm hit and the units with the O'Brien Draft Transmitter enclosures ran with no problems they installed another 128 protection enclosures. To date there have been no more upsets or shutdowns caused by wind induced measurement errors.

The STILL AIR PORT: A Critical Component

The O'Brien STILL AIR PORT is a critical component of the draft range transmitter solution. It equalizes the still air chamber for the transmitter and manifold, allowing the pressure inside the enclosure to change at the same rate as the barometric pressure and not allowing wind or wind gusts to have any affect.

For help in determining how you can protect your instrumentation from the effects of weather, contact Swanson Flo. Call them at 800-288-7926 or visit their website at https://swansonflo.com.

Swanson Flo Performance - Upstream / Midstream Oil & Gas Pipeline Services and Capabilities

Swanson Flo has a long and successful history of providing innovative process control solutions  to the upstream and midstream oil & gas pipeline industry. The have a well-earned reputation for  supplying quality equipment and experienced application engineering with an unrelenting desire to not only meet, but to exceed their customer's goals.

Swanson Flo Performance supports every process control customer with region-based, full-capability service and repair. Their factory-certified technicians provide you with a complete overhaul and repair of the control valves, actuators, and instrumentation. Equipment is fully disassembled, inspected, cleaned, reassembled, calibrated, and tested to meet factory original standards. Swanson Flo Performance utilizes only factory OEM parts to repair your equipment.

Swanson Flo Performance Includes:

• Commissioning - to ensure that equipment performs to expected specifications.
• Mechanical Inspection - detailed reports on the mechanical health of your valves.
• Valve Repair - returning the customer's valves to "like new” condition.
• Onsite Repair - bringing resources and equipment to the customer's facilities.
• OEM Parts - certified original manufactured parts maintaining highest standards.
• Re-instrumentation - upgrading performance and equipment to meet ever-changing needs.
• Site Surveys - gathering plant data for asset management.
• Training - hands-on technical and practical training custom designed for their customers.

Swanson Flo is a multi-brand factory trained control valve repair center providing factory trained technicians and certified repairs and parts from Foxboro/Schneider Electric and Flowserve Limitorque (notably, Swanson Flo is the only FM approved Limitorque repair facility in the upper-midwest).

DOWNLOAD THE SWANSON FLO PERFORMANCE OIL & GAS PIPELINE SERVICES LINE CARD HERE

For more information, contact Swanson Flo by calling 800-288-7926 or visit their web site at https://swansonflo.com.