Vibration transmitters for monitoring gas pipeline pumping stations in hazardous areas

IMI Sensors has announced hazardous area-approved versions of the company’s Series 640 industrial vibration transmitters for monitoring motors and pumps at natural gas pipeline pumping stations. These rugged and reliable two-wire, loop powered, 4-20 mA vibration sensors are manufactured to meet specific natural gas industry design requirements, including certification in accordance with ATEX and CSA for use in hazardous areas.

Vibration monitoring of motors and pumps at natural gas pipeline pumping stations has proven effective for determining machinery health, planning maintenance intervals, reducing downtime, and avoiding catastrophic loss. IMI’s Series 640 provides a 4-20 mA output signal that is proportional to the overall vibration level of the machine being monitored. Powered by a 12-30 VDC source, the output wire can be connected to any existing PLC, DCS, and SCADA systems.

The Series 640 vibration sensors are enclosed in welded, hermetically sealed, stainless steel housings. Explosion-proof versions of these transmitters are also available. Sensors that offer hazardous area certifications are widely used on gas and oil well heads, supply lines, natural gas reciprocating engines, multi-stage gas compressors, and other machinery operating in hazardous environments.

Measuring combustion instability prevents turbine damage and downtime

IMI Launches High Temperature Pressure Sensors for Gas Turbine Monitoring

IMI Sensors has launched the Series 176 high-temperature pressure sensors for gas turbine monitoring. When directly mounted to a gas turbine’s combustor, the Series 176 high-temperature pressure sensors provide 24/7, consistent, reliable combustion dynamics data monitoring.

These high-temperature pressure sensors detect and measure dynamic pressure phenomena and combustion instability in the extreme heat environments (+986 °F, +530 °C) generated by today’s gas turbines. These sensors are also ATEX and CSA certified for use in hazardous areas. The Series 176 high-temperature pressure sensors are ideally suited for gas turbine monitoring with sensitivities to 17 pC/psi (2.5 pC/kPa) and ranges from 20 psi (140 kPa) dynamic to 400 psi (2760 kPa) static.

By mounting the Series 176 high-temperature pressure sensors to the combustor, gas turbine operators can rely on critical diagnostics, part fatigue analysis, and the ability to continuously monitor and control emissions. Operators also save time during combustion inspections and overhauls due to the elimination of tubing and a purging system. In addition, the high frequency capability of the Series 176 sensors enables the use of auto-tuning and on-line diagnostic monitoring systems. These sensors also provide an output that can easily connect to legacy combustion dynamics monitoring systems.

Protect equipment and personnel

IMI Sensors has breakaway safety cables designed to protect technicians and their equipment from being pulled into rotating machinery during route-based vibration monitoring. These safety cables quickly disconnect in the event that a sensor or analyzer cable becomes accidentally entangled when collecting data.

During route-based vibration monitoring, the protection of personnel and valuable equipment is paramount. Designed to interface directly with handheld data collectors and to withstand the harshest industrial environments, safety cables from IMI Sensors help prevent accidents involving portable data collector cables.

Rugged and reliable, the breakaway safety cables have EMI/RFI shielding and multiple connector configurations including 2-pin MIL style, BNC plugs or jacks that are compatible with most major data collector manufacturers. Safeguard your personnel and valuable equipment with breakaway safety cables from IMI Sensors that minimize the chances of being pulled into dangerous rotating machinery.