Digital pH/ORP sensor & PC software products for enhanced maintenance efficiency

Yokogawa has just released the new SENCOM* platform product series for the digital measurement of pH and ORP. This will join an existing lineup of quality pH/ORP solutions that includes the FLXA21 two-wire pH/ORP-transmitter. With the release of the SENCOM platform products, they bring pH and ORP measurement into the digital era.

The SENCOM platform initially consists of a SENCOM module, the FU20F pH/ORP SENCOM sensor, a SENCOM cable, and the SPS24 SENCOM PC software. The installation of a SENCOM module in an FLXA21 transmitter will give it the powerful digital signal processing capabilities required to work together with the new SENCOM sensors.

Configuration

Like its predecessor, the FU20F pH/ORP SENCOM sensor is a general purpose sensor that is suitable for a wide range of applications. The FU20F can store digital data and be calibrated using the SPS24 SENCOM PC software and/or the FLXA21. With these SENCOM platform products, our customers will be able to reduce the amount of maintenance work that needs to be performed on-site, thereby improving efficiency and reducing costs.

The target market is the process industries such as oil, petrochemicals, iron and steel, electric power, and water supply and wastewater treatment. with applications such as Monitoring the quality of treated wastewater and neutralised water and controlling the concentrations of liquid infusion systems

Development Background
Liquid analysers are used in the oil, petrochemical, iron and steel, electric power, and water supply and wastewater treatment industries to control the quality of raw materials and products, monitor reactions, and manage the wastewater treatment process. The properties of certain solutions may cause damage to or foul the sensors in these analysers and thus adversely affect measurement accuracy, so sensor calibration is required on a regular basis. However, conditions vary and it is not always safe or convenient to perform the calibration work on-site, which usually requires a converter to store data and the use of standard calibration solutions. There is a need to move this work to a safer location and also reduce measurement downtime.

Masatoshi Nakahara, Senior Vice President of the Industrial Automation Platform Business Headquarters, said, “To improve quality and production efficiency at our customers’ plants, it is crucial not only to improve plant facilities but also to keep measuring instruments in optimal condition for long-term stable operation. The newly developed digital SENCOM sensor will help customers improve maintenance efficiency and reduce costs. As part of our VigilantPlant initiative, Yokogawa will continue to develop and offer solutions that help its customers achieve the ideal plant.”

Product Features
1. Better working conditions / reduced measurement downtime
The FU20F pH/ORP SENCOM sensor is able to process digital signals and store digital information, including calibration data. Using either the SPS24 PC software or an FLXA21 transmitter, it can do offline calibration of these sensors in a laboratory, where working conditions are optimal. In addition, the ability to swap out the FU20F and replace it with a calibrated sensor on site will significantly reduce measurement downtime.

2. Quick and efficient calibration
With the SPS24 software, it will be possible to simultaneously calibrate up to four SENCOM sensors, significantly shortening calibration time.

3. Efficient data management
The SPS24 software features an integrated database capable of storing data for up to 100 SENCOM sensors. This enables predictive maintenance, allowing service staff to identify when sensor maintenance and/or replacement is required. In addition, there is no longer the need to go on-site to obtain the data stored on a converter.

*“SENCOM” comes from the phrase “SENsors with COMmunication,” which emphasises the data storage capability of these sensors. Yokogawa Electric Corporation and its subsidiary Yokogawa Europe B.V. (headquartered in the Netherlands), have jointly developed the SENCOM platform for their customers to increase maintenance efficiency and reduce cost of ownership.
Following the introduction of the FU20F, which is the first sensor to be offered based on the SENCOM platform, Yokogawa will expand the SENCOM series lineup by adding products that support four-wire liquid analysers and thereby widen the scope of measurement.