Pressure transmitters are fundamental in industry because they allow monitoring and control of processes that depend on pressure, level, flow, and operational safety. They convert process pressure into a 4–20 mA or digital signal (HART, Fieldbus, Profibus), which goes to a PLC/DCS.
They are widely used in industry, automation, laboratories, hydraulic and pneumatic systems, and many other areas.
Applications of transmitters:
1. Pressure Monitoring in Equipment
Transmitters are used to measure and monitor pressure in essential equipment such as:
Piping, Pumps, Compressors, Boilers, Pressure Vessels, and Reactors.
2. Automated Process Control
Pressure transmitters provide accurate data to the control system (such as PLC/DCS), which automatically adjusts system actuators, such as valves and pumps, ensuring process stability and efficiency.
3. Indirect Measurement of Other Variables
Pressure transmitters are also used to indirectly measure other important variables:
Level: Measured through hydrostatic pressure in open tanks or with a differential transmitter in closed tanks.
Flow rate: Calculated through the pressure difference in restrictors such as orifice plates, Venturi tubes, or Pitot tubes.
Density: Measured in processes that use differential pressure in liquid columns.
Main Applications of Pressure Transmitters in Industry
1. Pumping Systems:
Monitoring of suction and discharge pressure in pumps.
Prevention of cavitation (avoiding damage caused by very low pressure).
Automatic control of pumps, adjusting the minimum pressure with booster systems.
2. Compressed Air and Pneumatics:
Control of the main compressed air line pressure.
Monitoring of compressors and air systems.
Detection of pressure drops and leaks, ensuring efficiency and safety.
3. Boilers and Steam Systems:
Monitoring of boiler and drum pressure.
Control of steam pressure and high-pressure steam line.
Control of pressure reducing valves to maintain adequate pressure in different sections of the system.
4. Chemical and Petrochemical Industry:
Pressure measurement in reactors and other critical equipment.
Processes with corrosive liquids or gases (using a transmitter with a remote seal).
Monitoring of pressurized tanks to ensure system integrity.
5. Water and Sanitation:
Pressure control in water mains and distribution networks.
Operation of booster stations to increase water pressure.
Level measurement in reservoirs and pressure control systems.
Monitoring of pressure drop in water filters and treatment systems.
6. Food and Beverage Industry:
Clean-in-Place (CIP/SIP) processes where fluid pressure must be strictly controlled.
Pressure control in pasteurizers to ensure food quality and safety.
Pressure monitoring in fermentation tanks and production processes.
7. Oil and Gas Industry:
Wellhead pressure measurement for flow control.
Monitoring of natural gas lines and distribution systems.
Pressure in oil and gas pipelines, preventing failures and leaks.
8. Industrial Hydraulic and Pneumatic Systems:
Pressure control in hydraulic presses and CNC equipment.
Monitoring of actuator cylinders and force control systems that depend on fluid pressure to operate.
9. Fluid Filtration and Treatment:
Using differential transmitters, it is possible to measure:
Filter clogging through differential pressure variation.
Pressure drop in heat exchangers and other filtration systems. |
