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WirelessHart adapters shipped to deliver rich plant improvement data from existing Hart devices

09 December 2009

Emerson Process Management extends the predictive intelligence capabilities of PlantWeb digital architecture with the release of its Smart Wireless Thum 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.

WirelessHart adapters shipped to deliver rich plant improvement data from existing Hart devices
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 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-organising 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.

The 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. 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.

The Thum adapter with AMS Suite allows customers to troubleshoot HART devices from their desk so they can optimise maintenance schedules, minimise 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.

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.

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, USA, 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 take full advantage of 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-organising 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 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 Management devices, and native wireless interfaces to AMS Suite predictive maintenance software, DeltaV or Ovation digital automation systems, and wireless SmartStart Services. Smart Wireless is an extension of Emerson’s PlantWeb digital plant architecture.


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