Emerson's Smart Wireless Network Automates Data Collection to Improve Maintenance at Petrobras Gas Compression Facility in Brazil |
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Emerson Process Management
8301 Cameron Road
Austin, TX, 78754
USA
Press release date: February 10, 2010
WirelessHART(TM) network delivers real-time compressor data while saving $200,000 installed cost and overcoming difficult conditions for wired approach
AUSTIN, TEXAS (February 10, 2010) - Petrobras has applied Emerson's Smart Wireless solution, an extension of its PlantWeb® digital plant architecture, to automate the collection of pressure, temperature, and vibration data from compressors at its Sao Mateus gas compression facility in northeastern Brazil. Emerson's 56 transmitters and a single Smart Wireless Gateway automate data collection on two of the seven compressors at the facility, feeding round-the-clock information to the plant's DeltaV(TM) digital automation system.
The WirelessHART(TM) installation, in an environment where high cost and occasional flooding made a wired approach impractical, was much faster and is performing very well. Petrobras saved $200,000 by using wireless versus wired in the installation.
In the past, Petrobras staff made clipboard rounds to the compressors every three hours 24 hours a day to check local readings and record the data by hand on spreadsheets. The company needed a more efficient data collection method that would provide the information directly to its operating system.
"We now have online access to real-time data about the compressors' operation, and can review historical data and trends," said Gabriel Lopes, Petrobras Sao Mateus maintenance operator. "Alarms are generated when problems occur, enabling staff to take fast action in an abnormal situation."
"Connecting the existing monitors on the compressors to the central control system with cables was not financially feasible because of installation and maintenance costs," continued Lopes. "Adding to this, because the installation is in a flood prone area, a wired installation would be less reliable and require extra maintenance."
It took Petrobras only four days to install all 56 devices. The application includes 24 Rosemount® wireless pressure transmitters, 26 Rosemount® 648 temperature transmitters, and six CSI 9420 wireless vibration transmitters. All devices communicate using the WirelessHART standard. Emerson's AMS(TM) Suite predictive maintenance software is used to manage the new devices. All devices send data to a single Smart Wireless Gateway installed in the control room which integrates the wireless network with the existing DeltaV(TM) digital automation system.
"The installation went easily and the network was up and running much quicker than if we had installed a wired network," Lopes summarized. "The system has been performing well. We now would like to use Smart Wireless discrete input and output switches on these two compressors and establish identical networks on the additional five compressors so we can activate and deactivate some of our pumps and motors using all wireless."
In addition to the Smart Wireless solutions already installed at Petrobras, Emerson offers a wide range of wireless field instrumentation and plant operations equipment, including Fisher® position monitors, Rosemount analytical devices, and wireless SmartStart(TM) services.
For more information about Smart Wireless, visit www.EmersonProcess.com/SmartWireless, and for videos go to www.EmersonSmartWireless.com/Videos.
About Petrobras
Petrobras, headquartered in Rio de Janeiro, is Brazil's largest integrated energy company. In 2008 it produced 2.4 million barrels of oil equivalent per day. It performs oil and oil byproduct exploration, production, refining, marketing, and transportation, both in Brazil and abroad, as well as ultra-deep water oil production. Its operations span 27 countries on four continents.
About Emerson Process Management
Emerson Process Management (www.emersonprocess.com), an Emerson business, is a leader in helping businesses automate their production, processing and distribution in the chemical, oil and gas, refining, pulp and paper, power, water and wastewater treatment, mining and metals, food and beverage, life sciences and other industries. The company combines superior products and technology with industry-specific engineering, consulting, project management and maintenance services. Its brands include PlantWeb®, Syncade(TM), DeltaV(TM), Fisher®, Micro Motion®, Rosemount®, Daniel®, Ovation®, and AMS® Suite.
About Emerson
Emerson (NYSE:EMR), based in St. Louis, Missouri (USA), is a global leader in bringing technology and engineering together to provide innovative solutions to customers through its network power, process management, industrial automation, climate technologies, and appliance and tools businesses. Emerson's sales in fiscal 2009 were $20.9 billion. The company is ranked 94th on the Fortune 500 list of America's largest companies. For more information, visit www.Emerson.com.
Contacts:
Kim Polk, Emerson Process Management
1 (512) 834-7073,
Kim.Polk@Emerson.com
Lisa Eisenbrey, Emerson Process Management
1 (512) 834-7106,
Lisa.Eisenbrey@Emerson.com
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