Application Note: Maintain Control, Maximize Performance with WIKA E-10 Explosion-Proof Pressure Transmitter

 


The need for improved monitoring and control of well heads is a vital issue to energy production and transport. Monitoring of oil and gas well heads has been used for years as a method to improve well production output. WIKA focused on developing a product that produces a closed-loop automated production capability.

 

The WIKA E-10 explosion-proof pressure transmitter is designed for applications in the oil and gas industry including casing and tubing pressure, wellhead monitoring, refining, pipeline transport, and natural gas compressors. The explosion proof pressure transmitter works on the principle of containment. The pressure transmitter is enclosed in a housing that is designed to contain, control, cool and vent any possible ignition.

 

WIKA’s explosion-proof pressure transmitters are able to contain explosions within an enclosure that prevents electrical or thermal energy from reaching the volatile atmosphere. Several methods of explosion-proofing are available, including filling the containment enclosure with oil or surrounding the electrical apparatus with molding resin or potting compound.

 

In the petro-chemical and process industries, pressure transmitters and pressure transducers are subjected to applications which may contain aggressive media, temperature extremes, vibration, pulsation, and other uncompromising environmental conditions. Its reliability make it ideal to detect problems or abnormal conditions in the network of tanks, vessels, pipes, and control systems that must be monitored and maintained within optimum operating tolerances.

 

Features

  • FM-approved Explosion proof for Class I Division 1 hazardous locations 
  • Available with 4…20 mA, 2-wire or 1…5 V, 3-wire output signals 
  • Engineered to withstand harsh environments 
  • NACE MR-01-75 compliant 
  • NEMA 4X (IP67) ingress protection 
  • Retrofits many existing oil and gas applications

Approved for Installation in Hazardous Areas

  • FM approved
  • CSA certified

The E-10 pressure transmitter features an NPT process connection with an all-welded stainless steel measuring cell for media compatibility. There are no internal soft sealing materials that may react with the media or deteriorate over time.

 

The pressure transmitter is FM-approved for Class I Division 1 explosion proof protection for installation in hazardous environments. Each pressure transmitter undergoes extensive quality control testing and calibration to achieve a linearity of < 0.2% full scale. In addition, each pressure transmitter is temperature compensated to assure accuracy and long-term stability even when exposed to severe ambient temperature variations.

 

Specific Applications

 


Wellhead: Tubing and casing (surrounds the tubing) pressure are monitored to determine the optimum flow rate, and their outputs can be used to monitor for down hole leaks


Petrochemical refining: Numerous applications exist in the petrochemical and refining industries. (Include but not limited to: air, stream, water, crude oil, chemicals, and plastics)


Gas production: Measuring task is monitoring the pump pressure of compressed natural gas in panels


Offshore: Measuring tasks on an offshore platform are mainly divided into wellhead, tubing, casing, and compressors


Key Factors

 

Factory sealed electrical connection

  • The factory sealed version is equipped with flying leads and there is no need for a special seal, integrated in conduit, to prevent flame propagation.
  • Advantages
    Fast installation: No hardening time of the sealing compound
    Improved logistics: The parts and tools related to the seal plug are not required
    Lower costs: No additional cost for parts

Solid state components

  • Application and installations in the Oil and Gas industries are extremely rough and demanding. Mechanical shock and vibration are common. The solid state components are fully encapsulated in a soft potting gel. Combined with the low profile design, the E-10 series of pressure transmitters is the right choice for the demands of this industry.

Low power electronics for solar panel applications

  • A low power 1-5V signal option is available to maximize battery life in solar powered applications.

Specifications

 

Pressure ranges 

 

  • 100 INWC to 15,000 PSI
  • 15 PSIA to 300 PSI Absolute
  • Compound ranges

Non-linearity 

  • 0.2% BFSL

Signal outputs 

  • 4…20 mA
  • 1…5 V

Electrical connections

  • 1/2” NPT male conduit with flying leads (NEMA 4X / IP 67)
  • 1/2” NPT male conduit with cable and free ends (NEMA 4X / IP 67)

 

This Application Note first appeared in the February 2009 issue of the WIKA e-News. To receive the monthly WIKA e-News, click here to subscribe.

© 2012 - WIKA Instrument Corporation
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