Emerson develops non-intrusive way to measure temperature
Emerson Automation Solutions has unveiled the X-well Technology with a Rosemount 3144P transmitter in a bid to extend its non-intrusive temperature sensing range. The technology measures the ambient temperature of a pipe, as well as its surfaces, and combines this information with knowledge of the pipe's thermal conductivity properties to create an accurate temperature analysis. The X-well system provides an accurate process temperature while maintaining the benefits of non-intrusive surface measurement, said Jason Rud, senior principal design engineer at Emerson Automation Solutions.
Emerson Automation Solutions has introduced a new platform for its RosemountTM X-wellTM Technology surface sensing temperature measurement solution. The X-well Technology with a Rosemount 3144P transmitter takes its place alongside the original WirelessHART® X-well Technology to extend this non-intrusive temperature sensing technology for users in conventional wired I/O environments.

This product extends the potential application possibilities for X-well Technology in plants and facilities where wired networks are already installed, or where WirelessHART has not yet been deployed. Other users have found X-well to be a useful replacement for difficult thermowell installations, which often have a wired connection already available and can be reused with the wired version of X-well.

X-well Technology works by measuring the pipe surface temperature and ambient temperature, and combining this information with an understanding of the thermal conductivity properties of the installation and process piping to produce an accurate process temperature measurement.

A major advantage of this technology is accurate process temperature measurement without requiring any intrusions or penetrations into the process, allowing for quicker and easier installation along with simplified long term maintenance. Users do not have to design, size or maintain thermowells. Wake frequency calculations are eliminated, as well as time spent determining material compatibility, the right insertion length and the necessary profile.

Applications that can benefit from X-well Technology include pipelines, small line sizes, high velocity flows, slurries, heavy particulate fluids, wellheads, clean-in-place processes, high viscosity fluids and harsh processes in the oil and gas industry.

“Rosemount X-well Technology is the best of both worlds as it provides an accurate process temperature like a thermowell installation while maintaining the benefits of a non-intrusive surface measurement,” says Jason Rud, Senior Principal Design Engineer at Emerson Automation Solutions. “The original wireless version has been very successful, but our customers have asked for a traditional wired version as well. Users now have both versions available to suit any application.”

With X-well Technology, users can also add temperature measurement points without having to shut down a process. Instruments can be installed with a standard pipe clamp procedure and ordinary hand tools, without the need for a skilled contractor.

Pairing an X-well Technology pipe clamp sensor with the industry standard 3144P transmitter combines the new and highly versatile sensing technology with one of the world’s most widely used temperature transmitters. Users can now quickly add temperature measuring points wherever they can provide the greatest benefit, and choose either a conventional wired or a WirelessHART connection.