Transcript
SMART WIRELESS APPLICATIONS
Emerson’s Smart Wireless Network Helps Bord Gáis Monitor Gas Transmission Pipeline System in Ireland BENEFITS •Redundant wireless network ensures data integrity despite the site being divided by a public road •Cable integrity issues in Ex areas removed thereby reducing the number of site inspections required CHALLENGE As well as supplying gas and electricity to the Irish market, Bord Gáis, the state owned energy provider is also responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the countries natural gas distribution network. Bord Gáis has a Mains Renewal Programme in place to ensure that the pipeline system is the most modern in Europe. As part of the renewal programme, a remote Above Ground Installation (AGI) located at Middleton, near Cork, was to undergo an upgrade of its hard wired instrumentation. Power and data cabling are usually installed in ducting at the AGIs to protect them from the environment and from external damage. However, burying cables can prove to be costly and time consuming. The Middleton site has an added challenge in that it is divided by a public road, requiring additional trenches to bury the cables. Bord Gáis decided to explore the possibility of installing a network of wireless pressure and temperature transmitters at the site in order to reduce the installation costs, but without affecting data integrity. Although there is minimal traffic on the road dissecting the site, it was felt that a line of sight wireless solution could not be used as the signal may be interrupted by passing cars affecting the reliability of the communications.
For more information: www.EmersonProcess.com/SmartWireless
“Smart Wireless is ideal for site upgrades where instruments and cabling can be up to 25 years old and in need of replacing. Installing the transmitters is very simple as the wireless devices simply replace the existing analog devices.” Frank Smiddy Communications & Instrumentation Engineer Bord Gáis
SMART WIRELESS APPLICATIONS SOLUTION Rosemount® wireless transmitters, including five measuring pressure, one differential pressure, and one temperature have been successfully installed and are sending measurements back to the control room via the onsite Remote Terminal Unit (RTU). The devices are placed in enclosures, standard practice for all instrumentation used at Bord Gáis AGIs, and the Smart Wireless Gateway is positioned within the instrumentation kiosk, which is effectively a “walk-in” enclosure.
RESULTS For the upgrade at Middleton, Emerson’s Smart Wireless plant network promised to cost less than a traditional wired installation, offered faster installation and start up, and easy integration into the existing RTUs using Modbus serial communications. The Smart Wireless devices have redundant communication to the RTU via two or three routes thereby overcoming the problem of signal interference by cars. Where cabling enters into a potentially explosive EX Zone, regular checks are required of cable integrity as well as the condition of the EX barriers. With no wires or EX barriers, the number of site inspections required has been reduced.
“Reliability has not been an issue. Enclosures do not interfere with the wireless signals at all and we trend the transmissions from the control room so we can see if there are any problems. So far there haven’t been any.” Brid Sheehan Communication & Instrumentation Engineer Bord Gáis
Rosemount wireless devices are placed in enclosures, standard practice for all instrumentation used at Bord Gáis' AGIs.
©2008 Emerson Process Management. All rights reserved.
Emerson Process Management 12301 Research Blvd. Research Park Plaza, Building III Austin, TX 78759 USA www.EmersonProcess.com
5-09
The Emerson logo is a trademark and service mark of Emerson Electric Co. Rosemount is a mark of one of the Emerson Process Management family of companies. All other marks are property of their respective owners. The contents of this publication are presented for information purposes only, and while effort has been made to ensure their accuracy, they are not to be construed as warranties or guarantees, express or implied, regarding the products or service described wherein or their use or applicability. All sales are governed by our terms and conditions, which are available on request. We reserve the right to modify or improve the designs or specifications of our products at any time without notice.
