Emerson's Smart Wireless Network at Dyno Nobel Ammonium Nitrate Facility Combines Pump Protection with Process Monitoring
WirelessHART(TM) network including Rosemount® wireless instruments provides "trip" protection of critical chemical pumps while transmitting temperature data and diagnostics to DeltaV(TM) system in control room
AUSTIN, TEXAS - Emerson Process Management's Smart Wireless network has replaced local hardwired high-temperature trip protection on 20 hazardous duty chemical pumps at the Dyno Nobel Inc. ammonium nitrate production facility at Louisiana, Missouri. The new Ammonium Nitrate Pump High Temperature Protection & Monitoring System has produced a significant improvement in plant safety, increased operator awareness of the condition of these pumps, and reduced the potential for plant or environmental damage due to a fire and/or chemical release. In addition, the company saved $30,000 to $40,000 on system engineering and installation.
The new WirelessHART(TM) network, comprising 20 new Rosemount® wireless temperature transmitters and 20 new Rosemount wireless discrete switches plus dual-element temperature sensors and high-temperature switches, extends about 1500 feet from end-to-end. The transmitters are connected by a self-organizing wireless mesh network to one Smart Wireless Gateway which relays the data to a DeltaV(TM) digital automation system for monitoring, alarming, and trending purposes. The wireless discrete switches transmit system "fault" and high temperature "trip" signals from the temperature switches to the DeltaV console, where operator graphics display temperature and switch data for each pump along with a wireless network overview and status screen for operations and maintenance personnel.
If the discharge temperature of a pump rises beyond the safe operating setpoint, a high alarm is issued by the DeltaV system. If the temperature continues to rise, the DeltaV system issues a high-high temperature alarm to notify operators that the temperature at that pump is reaching a dangerous level. If the temperature rises still further, the local high temperature switch shuts the pump off before it reaches the critical temperature at which the ammonium nitrate could begin to decompose. Operators are alerted to a safety trip fault by a signal from the discrete wireless switch.
Emerson's AMS(TM) Suite predictive maintenance software sends predictive diagnostics generated by the smart field devices to operations and maintenance so a high temperature alarm condition can be addressed before a safety trip is required. In addition, the AMS Wireless SNAP-ON(TM) application aids in planning, installation, and diagnostics of the wireless network. All of the devices on this network were powered up and commissioned in just one day in July, 2009.
According to Dyno Nobel plant operations manager Sam Correnti, "All the factors of security, reliability, ease of installation, and ease of use were considered in our selection of this technology and our confidence in the solution."
Having this wireless network in place offers some unique advantages that the company plans to exploit in the future, Correnti said. For example, safety shower flow alarms will soon be added, and planning is underway for additional temperature and pressure monitors in another area of the plant.
In addition to the Smart Wireless solutions already installed at Dyno Nobel, Emerson offers a wide range of wireless field instrumentation and plant operations equipment, including Fisher® position monitors, Rosemount® analytical and Machinery Health(TM) Management devices, and SmartStart® services.
For further information about Smart Wireless, visit www.EmersonProcess.com/SmartWireless, and for videos go to http://www.EmersonSmartWireless.com/Videos.
About Dyno Nobel
Dyno Nobel Inc., headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, is a global leader in the commercial explosives industry, providing blasting solutions and quality explosives products from 36 manufacturing plants in the US, Mexico, and Australia. The company's roots go back to the invention of the Safety Fuse by William Bickford in 1831 and Alfred Nobel's legacy as the inventor of dynamite. Dyno Nobel has participated in every major explosives innovation since then.
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) 834-7043,
Kim.Polk@Emerson.com
Lisa Eisenbrey, Emerson Process Management
1 (512) 834-7106,
Lisa.Eisenbrey@Emerson.com
