Humidity and Temperature Transmitters for Demanding Humidity Measurement

Vaisala Humidity sensors and transmitters for process measurement and control
HMT330 Series Humidity and Temperature Transmitters
Courtesy Vaisala
Humidity, the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere or a gas, can be an important measurable attribute of an industrial process. Many are aware of the measurement of relative humidity in HVAC applications and its impact on human comfort in occupied spaces, but the measurement of water vapor in air can be a required measuring point in many other processes that pose far greater challenge.

In addition to common wall or duct mounting applications, where the instrument is easily inserted or placed into the environment to be measured, there are applications that call for special adaptations to the instrument or sensing probe.
  • High pressure
  • Vacuum
  • High temperature
  • High humidity
  • Pressurized pipelines
  • Presence of chemical contaminants
Meeting the full range of industrial process control operations requires stable measurements and the choice of multiple configurations and options to customize the instrument to the process demands. Here are some features worth considering.
  • Multiple variants to match the basic process requirement
  • Full 0 to 100% humidity measurement range up to +180°C (+356°F)
  • PT 100 RTD for accurate temperature measurement
  • Pressure tolerance up to 100 bar
  • Superior sensor accuracy and stability
  • Graphic display and keypad for local operation
  • Multilingual user interface
  • Good chemical tolerance
  • Corrosion resistant housing
  • Delivered with multi-point NIST traceable calibration certificate
  • Analog outputs, RS232/485, WLAN/LAN
  • MODBUS protocol support (RTU/TCP)
  • Long term manufacturer warranty
While not all processes may require, or benefit from, the inclusion of all the listed features and capabilities, reviewing what is available and considering which features may provide better operability in your process can be beneficial. I have included a data sheet below that illustrates the HMT330 Series of humidity and temperature transmitters from Vaisala. Share your humidity measurement challenges with a product specialist. Combining your process knowledge with their product application expertise will produce solid solutions.



Magnetic Level Gauges Superior to Glass Level Indicators

Magnetic Level Gauge
Magnetic Level Gauge
(courtesy of Jogler)
Magnetic level gauges isolate of the process inside of a sealed piping column, thus eliminating the possibility of leaking seals and cloudy or broken site glass. Magnetic level gauges (gages) allow for easy cleaning access and a wide variety of mounting styles and process connections. They also provide improved visibility with highly visible flippers.

Magnetic level gauges are designed with a float in a sealed tube, embedded with permanent magnets. As process level changes, the float rises and falls, and the magnets in the float couple with an external indicator. The indicator is completely isolated from the process.

The following video provides a brief overview of Jogler level products. Jogger is a Baton Rouge, Louisiana manufacturer of high quality magnetic level gauges, magnetostrictive transmitters, direct-reading level gauges with armored shield, sight flow indicators, specific gravity analyzers, point level switches and other accessories. Jogler products are custom designed to meet customer specifications and manufactured to applicable ASME B31.1 and B31.3 code requirements to ensure reliable operation and maintenance free design.

Video on Bubble Noise in Dissolved Oxygen Signals

stainless steel fermentation tanks in brewery
Modern Brewery
Process engineers and operators continually seek faster and more accurate means of measuring variables within the process. Greater currency and accuracy of information can lead to better control and decision making, with a positive impact on efficiency and safety.

Measurement of specific dissolved gases within a liquid plays an important part in many processes in the biopharmaceutical, food, and beverage industries. Mettler Toledo, through their Ingold brand, has developed a solution to a common problem associated with measuring dissolved oxygen. Provided below is a video which illustrates how bubbles can impact the sensor reading, plus Mettler Toledo's solution to the problem. There is also an application note provided below the video which further explains the problem and solution.

Share your process measurement and control challenges with product specialists. Combine your process experience with their product application expertise to devise the best solutions.




Pharmaceutical Industry Case Study: Extend Bioreactor Useful Life With Automation Refurbishing

bioreactor automation control system for pharmaceutical processing
Fermenter/Bioreactor Control System
Courtesy ILS Automation
Bioreactors can have their useful working life extended, even made more productive, through the replacement of the automation and control system. Modern measurement and control gear can provide utility that may not have been available at the time of original manufacture. With vessel, support structure, and piping in good condition, a system may be a viable candidate for refurbishing to bring about upgraded performance or avoid the purchase of an entire new system. ILS Automation is a specialist in the realm of refurbishing bioreactor systems.

The company has several drop-in replacement control units for smaller bioreactors, and also provides turn-key solutions for larger systems. The ILS expertise also extends into other industrial process control and automation fields in the biotechnology, chemical, oil and gas industries.

A bioreactor control system update case study is included below. More product, service, and capabilities information is available from Alliance Technical Sales.