Thermocouple features gas-tight sapphire protective tube.

Press Release Summary:



Suited for use in gasification reactor applications, Rosemount® Thermocouple offers extended operating life in difficult process conditions with temperatures to 3,200°F and pressures to 110 bar. Protective sapphire tube is corrosion-resistant, impermeable to gases, and hermetically sealed to supporting bushing. In event that probe breaks, redundant seal system prevents toxic emissions from being released from reactor. All seals are pressure tested with Nitrogen at 110 bar.



Original Press Release:



Emerson Introduces Rosemount Thermocouple with Sapphire Thermowell, Ideal for Extremes of Gasification Reactor Applications



New sensor with gas-tight thermowell extends service life threefold under severe temperature and corrosion conditions

CHANHASSEN, MINN. (March 31, 2009) --Emerson Process Management introduces a Rosemount® thermocouple with a gas-tight sapphire protective tube for use in gasification reactor applications. The new thermocouple has been specially developed to give an extended operating life in difficult process conditions, where temperatures up to 3200°F, pressures up to 110 bar, and attack from aggressive gases lead to the premature failure of standard thermocouples.

The Rosemount insulated thermocouple is enclosed within a special protective tube manufactured from commercially grown sapphire, which like the naturally occurring variety, is corrosion resistant and impermeable to gases. The improved design enables accurate and reliable measurements over a significantly extended sensor life of 6,000 to 18,000 hours (depending on the application). This is typically three times the life of a standard thermocouple. By reducing the number of unplanned shutdowns due to sensor failure, production output is increased. Life time costs are also reduced since the longer operating life reduces the number of replacement sensors that are required.

A feature of the Rosemount design is the hermetic sealing of the sapphire protecting tube to the supporting bushing. This enhances safety and provides the longest life time for this type of thermocouple in gasification reactors. In the event that the probe breaks, there is a redundant seal system that prevents toxic emissions from being released from the reactor. All of the seals are pressure tested with Nitrogen at 110 bar before delivery. The connection housing is made from forged steel, which avoids the leakage of hydrogen containing gases from the reactor.

The new high temperature thermocouple assembly can be used with the Rosemount model 3144P temperature transmitter for critical control and safety applications. The predictive thermocouple degradation diagnostics contained within the transmitter can further improve plant availability by providing an alarm when the resistance of the thermocouple changes. This enables maintenance staff to plan the change out of the thermocouple prior to an unplanned shutdown, minimizing cost and plant downtime.

The new Rosemount thermocouple with sapphire protection tube is suitable for a wide range of applications in the oil and gas, agriculture, refining and chemical industries. It joins Emerson's existing line up of Rosemount temperature sensors and accessories for applications in industrial environments where high accuracy, durability, and long-term stability are required.

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, pharmaceutical, food and beverage, metals and mining, pulp and paper, power, water and wastewater treatment and other industries. A division of Emerson, Rosemount (www.EmersonProcess.com/Rosemount) is a global leader in high-precision pressure, temperature, level, and flow instrumentation. Rosemount best-in-class technology and expertise plays a key role in the Emerson mission of combining superior products and technology with industry-specific engineering, consulting, project management and maintenance services. Emerson brands include PlantWeb®, Fisher®, Micro Motion®, Rosemount®, Daniel®, DeltaV(TM), Ovation®, and AMS® Suite.

About Emerson

Emerson, based in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, is a global leader in bringing technology and engineering together to create innovative solutions for customers through its network power, process management, industrial automation, climate technologies, and appliance and tools businesses. Sales in fiscal 2008 were $24.8 billion. For more information, visit www.Emerson.com

Contacts:

Kathy Higgins, Emerson Process Management, Rosemount

1 (952) 949-5165, Kathy.Higgins@Emerson.com

Jerry Moon, Emerson Process Management

1 (512) 832-3089, Jerry.Moon@Emerson.com

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