WirelessHART® Adapter accesses diagnostics/process variables.
Press Release Summary:
Installed on existing HART® field instruments, Smart Wireless THUM(TM) Adapter frees up diagnostics and process information that had been inaccessible in wired legacy systems. With adapter, users can transform any HART instrument into wireless device, enabling visibility in applications such as tank gauging, radar level, ultrasonic level, flow, valves, pressure, and temperature. Adapter with AMS Suite lets users troubleshoot HART devices from their desk and optimize maintenance schedules.
Original Press Release:
Emerson Is First to Ship WirelessHART Adapters to Deliver Rich Plant Improvement Data from Existing HART® Devices
Smart Wireless THUM adapter easily upgrades existing HART instruments to access diagnostics and process variables that were not previously available
AUSTIN, TEXAS (October 6, 2009) -- Emerson Process Management extends the predictive intelligence capabilities of PlantWeb® digital architecture with the release of its Smart Wireless THUM(TM) Adapter. The THUM Adapter is easily installed on existing HART® field instruments to free up diagnostics and process information that had previously been inaccessible in wired legacy system installations.
Most HART instruments have rich diagnostics and process data, yet this valuable information goes unused because older legacy systems are not equipped to receive HART communications. While it is often too expensive and complicated to access this data through traditional wired means, upgrading devices with the THUM Adapter is an easy and cost-effective way to "see" the valuable diagnostic and process information.
The THUM Adapter is a WirelessHART(TM) device that can retrofit on almost any two or four wire HART device, without special power requirements, to enable wireless transmission of measurement and diagnostic information. Devices with the THUM Adapter operate as components of Emerson's Smart Wireless self-organizing field networks, delivering field intelligence to enable improvements in quality, safety, availability, operations and maintenance costs.
The Smart Wireless THUM Adapter extends predictive intelligence into new areas throughout the plant, opening the door for a vast range of process improvements in these key areas:
o Gaining access to advanced diagnostics: THUM Adapter allows access to advanced diagnostics through AMS Suite® to tap into the power of in-situ meter verification for magnetic flowmeters and Coriolis meters, enabling significant operational improvements.
o Enabling enhanced valve capabilities: Industry experts estimate that 75% of control valves are unnecessarily removed from service for maintenance. The Smart Wireless THUM Adapter with AMS ValveLink® software can easily enable Fisher® FIELDVUE® digital valve controllers with added capabilities including in-service valve testing, alert monitoring, and valve position trending.
o Remotely managing devices and monitoring health: The THUM Adapter with AMS Suite allows customers to troubleshoot HART devices from their desk so they can optimize maintenance schedules, minimize downtime and reduce the time spent in hazardous areas. Online access to device diagnostics allows users to continually monitor devices and to know immediately if there is a problem before it causes a major upset.
o Making any HART device wireless: The high cost of loop wiring due to remote locations or physical obstructions often prohibits the feasibility of installing devices for new measurement points. With the THUM Adapter, users can easily and cost-effectively transform any HART instrument into a wireless device to enable expanded visibility in applications such as tank gauging, radar level, ultrasonic level, flow, valves, liquid and gas analytical, pressure and temperature.
o Efficiently gathering data from multivariable devices: Multivariable devices contain a wealth of information, but accessing all that information with legacy host systems can be difficult. The THUM Adapter wirelessly transmits all device variables through any host system with a Smart Wireless Gateway, providing users with valuable information about their assets.
At the Chevron Phillips chemical plant in Sweeny, Texas, the Smart Wireless THUM adapter is enabling extra capabilities for Micro Motion® Coriolis flowmeters that are used in fiscal accounting of product transfer between Chevron Phillips and an adjacent petroleum refinery.
"The required proving for fiscal transfer flowmeters is time consuming and a big expense for the plant," said Stephen Fair, Instrument Measurement Planner at Chevron Phillips. "To ease this issue, we plan to confirm our ability to extend the time intervals between meter provings by trending data from the Micro Motion meter verification tool against data from proving reports. Adding to the extended interval savings, use of the Smart Wireless THUM Adapter on the remote flowmeters is making it possible for us to launch meter verification from the plant control room rather than making trips to the field. The adapters will also act as repeaters for other devices being added to the wireless network."
"We're very excited about the new capabilities the Smart Wireless THUM Adapter gives to our customers," said Bob Karschnia, vice president, Wireless for Emerson Process Management. "They can easily see more of their process and fully leverage the rich field intelligence that already exists in field instruments throughout their plants."
The THUM Adapter can be purchased alone or as part of the Smart Wireless Field Starter Kit that comes pre-configured out of the box to immediately form a secure, robust self-organizing network. The Starter Kit includes a Smart Wireless Gateway, a 25-tag license for AMS Device Manager software, 5 to 100 wireless devices and Emerson-supplied SmartStart(TM) installation services.
In addition to the THUM Adapter, Emerson offers a wide range of wireless field instrumentation and plant operations equipment, including Fisher® position monitors, Rosemount® transmitters, Rosemount Analytical and Machinery Health(TM) Management devices, and native wireless interfaces to AMS® Suite predictive maintenance software, DeltaV(TM) or Ovation® digital automation systems, and wireless SmartStart(TM) Services. SmartWireless is an extension of Emerson's PlantWeb® digital plant architecture.
For more information about Smart Wireless, visit EmersonProcess.com/SmartWireless, and for videos go to EmersonSmartWireless.com/Videos.
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. Sales in fiscal 2008 were $24.8 billion and Emerson is ranked 94th on the Fortune 500 list of America's largest companies. For more information, visit www.Emerson.com.
PlantWeb, Syncade, DeltaV, Fisher, Micro Motion, Rosemount, Daniel, Ovation, and AMS Suite are marks of one of the Emerson Process Management family of companies. Other marks are property of their respective owners.
CONTACTS:
Lisa Eisenbrey, Emerson Process Management
1 (512) 834-7106, Lisa.Eisenbrey@Emerson.com
Kim Polk, Emerson Process Management
1 (512) 834-7043, Kim.Polk@Emerson.com
