Solutions & Innovations from Parker Instrumentation

Texas Thermowell (1.5MB)

CCIMS (Close Coupled Instrument Mounting Solution)

Parker provides a significant advance in instrument mounting technology. Called CCIMS, the radical new integrated mounting and manifold block connects instruments directly to process piping in a tiny fraction of the time previously taken, and dramatically reduces the number of joints – and therefore potential leak paths.

CCIMS (Close Coupled Instrument Mounting Solution) supports the direct connection of differential pressure transmitters – one of the most common types of process instruments – to process pipe work.  Parker believes that CCIMS is the first mounting solution to provide a practical solution for 'close coupling' these instruments, which are used in quantities of hundreds of thousands a year, for flow measurement in a wide range of industries including oil and gas, petrochemical and chemical, and power generation.

CCIMS allows pressure transmitters to be mounted directly onto an orifice plate assembly in less than 30 minutes, typically replacing hand-crafted assemblies of discrete tubing, joint and valve components that can take anywhere from one to three man-days to fabricate. The labour saving from this aspect of CCIMS alone could save the industry hundreds of millions of Euros a year. Once installed, CCIMS also allows instruments to be clipped onto and off the pipe in seconds – easing maintenance.

The requirement for maintenance decreases substantially because CCIMS technology eliminates the need for 'impulse lines' – the tubing flow paths that normally run between pipe and instrument – helping to avoid the common problem of blockages caused by many factors including viscous media, hydrate formation, freezing, and so on. CCIMS also incorporates a unique interface that allows the instrument to be clipped onto and off the manifold in seconds, instead of undoing threaded connections, tubing joints, or even welds – which greatly speeds calibration and repairs.

CCIMS further cuts costs because it replaces application-specific assemblies of discrete tubing, joints, valves and manifold components with a single universal module that can be held in stock.

Taken together, these features make a substantial contribution to helping end users achieve the radical new levels of reliability and low maintenance that is required for the control and instrumentation systems in today's highly automated or unmanned plants. In the oil and gas industry in particular, this issue is often exacerbated by the remote location of equipment, which might be sited on offshore platforms or at wellheads and pipeline pumping stations.

Further significant gains are derived from the 'close coupled' nature of the connection delivered by CCIMS. A traditional connection, or 'hook up', for a differential pressure transmitter can involve 20-30 joints, every one of which is a potential leak path. The integrated nature of the new CCIMS solution reduces this to just five – a massive leap in integrity that helps to avoid both the human and environmental safety issues caused by leakages or emissions.

The intimate nature of the piping connection provided by CCIMS also aids the performance of the instrument system. The length of a typical impulse line arrangement (and the bends which often feature in such arrangements) introduces pressure drops and turbulence that can substantially decrease measurement accuracy, commonly referred to as 'gauge-line error'. CCIMS positions a transmitter directly adjacent to the process pipe, and provides a short, straight and even flow connection – allowing end users to benefit fully from the instrument's accuracy to monitor their process.

Parker's breakthrough CCIMS mounting solution has two interlocking elements. A pipe interface module connects to the instrument interfaces on the two flanges, and incorporates two primary isolation valves; this module features an innovative 'universal tubing joint' to compensate for all alignment problems associated with the flanges. An instrument mounting module – available with a range of manifolds to suit the application – then clips on top of this, again by means of a novel new mechanical interface developed by Parker.

CCIMS Brochure (4.3MB)

Parker's CB Series Check Valves

Parker Instrumentation provides a unique series of check valves, specially optimized for the high temperatures and aggressive media found in turbine installations. Now field proven in service at USA dual-fuel power generation installations, the superior performance of the valves can eliminate costly turbine shut downs that can be required for repairs, maintenance, and fuel changeovers.

The CB Series of check valves provides a simple means of adding protection in any system where back flow or pressure might cause a problem or damage. A typical power generation application is a unidirectional protection element in the fuel oil, purge air or water lines to the combustion chambers of dual-fuel turbines. Currently, such valves are often replaced or refurbished every few months to combat leakage as a result of coking, and/or the perishing of seals because of the aggressive media and the high temperatures (above 250 degrees F/121 degrees C). This can be an extremely costly issue to deal with, especially for those installations that regularly switch between gas and oil – which tends to accelerate problems.

Check & Relief Valves (2.4MB)    

CB-CBG-CBF Check Valves (939kB)    

Water Injection Flow Proportioning Check Valve (615kB)

PHASTITE Tube Fittings

Parker provides a unique design of tube fitting that can deliver huge cost savings to builders of industrial equipment involving fluids.

Assembled by means of a simple push-fit operation, the new fittings provide permanent connections for fluid systems operating at up to 20,000 PSI / 1,379 bar. For permanent connections, and these elevated pressures, system builders would typically use either welded or 'cone and thread' style fittings, which are time consuming and expensive to install. Compared with these products, Parker Instrumentation estimates that its new Phastite fittings could reduce costs by a factor of 90% or more.

Phastite employs a compression assembly principle using a novel form of toothed profile, which makes the seal. The fittings are supplied as one-piece components. To make a joint, all that's required is to insert the tube, and then push the collar along the fitting body until it reaches a dead stop. This operation is performed by a simple handheld hydraulic tool, and takes a few seconds. The tool requires no skill to use, and assures users of right-first-time connections.

This assembly approach contrasts with the requirement to perform a 360-degree weld around the circumference of a tube, an operation requiring skill, consumables, expensive equipment, and up to 10 minutes of time. Or, the coning and threading of a tube end to prepare it for use in a special screw-together fitting, operations that again require skill, and time - in this case up to 30 minutes or more. For many applications, the quality of the weld is also tested by means of dye penetration, or x-ray inspection, adding further substantial costs to the installation process.

Inside Phastite fittings is a unique sealing system, based on a collar which slides along an angled body, in the process compressing a number of circular profiles into the tubing. At the end of the short travel is a vertical face which provides confirmation of correct assembly.

Phastite is much faster to assemble than welded and cone and thread fittings, but also de-skills the process, removing a major element of industrial system building cost. The very high degree of control over make up that the tooling automatically imposes also assures users of right-first-time assembly. This is not the case with welded and cone and thread fittings, where many users expect that there will a certain degree of rework. When used to replace a welded fitting, the Phastite fitting also eliminates any need for a 'hot work permit', another major equipment building expense faced by many organizations.

The assembly tool is an important part of the package, and Parker Instrumentation has developed a novel hydraulic tool that is similar in size to a soft drink can, and features a flat working edge that can install tubing in confined spaces such as against a panel. The small pump that drives the tool is available in a shoulder-carried version, providing great flexibility of movement for operators. The cost of the tool is equivalent or less than the equipment required for welding, or coning and threading.

Phastite Connectors (4.8MB)

MPI™ Fittings & Valves have been engineered and manufactured to provide secure, tight, and leak resistant connections throughout industry, including off-shore oil and gas exploration platforms, research labs, and other facilities that require operating pressures in the range of 6,000 to 15,000psi.

MPI Products (12.5MB)

MPN Series Medium Pressure Valves are designed for multi-turn control of media regulation and shutoff up to 20,000 psi.

Ball and Plug Valves (4.3MB)

MPC and MPCB series check valves are designed for uni-directional flow control of fluids and gases up to 15,000 psi.  Parker MPF Series Filters utilize sintered stainless steel filter discs to trap particles from 0.5 to 100 micron.

Check & Relief Valves (2.4MB)

The ChangeOver System (COSE) is a compact turnkey module that assists the operator with their total gas management. The COSE maintains a continuous gas delivery from two separate sources allowing for maximum cylinder gas usage from one source before automatically switching to the second source. The COSE lowers specialty gas costs by maximizing the consumption of gas from each cylinder. In addition, the gas cylinder bank(s) can be monitored remotely utilizing the optional pressure switches reducing the need for visual inspection by the operator.

COSE ChangeOver System (786kB)

The Mini ChangeOver System (COSM) is a compact turnkey module that assists the operator with their total gas management. The COSM maintains a continuous gas delivery from two separate sources allowing for maximum cylinder gas usage from one source before automatically switching to the second source. The COSM lowers specialty gas costs by maximizing the consumption of gas from each cylinder.

Mini ChangeOver System (835kB)

R-max™ Stream Switching System

Modular stream switching system redefines performance of automated sampling systems. Parker Instrumentation provides innovative valve systems for automated stream switching in gas and liquid analysis applications. The product - R-max - uses surface-mounting techniques to dramatically reduce the size of control systems for process analyzers and gas chromatographs, and to provide modularity for assembling compact switches for any quantity of fluid streams.

Purpose-designed for automated applications, the pneumatically-operated R-max brings completely new levels of reliability and integrity to this application, through the use of true three-way double-block-and-bleed valve modules that eliminate any possibility of cross contamination of fluid streams, combined with needle valves offering operating lifetimes in excess of one million cycles.

R-max operates over a vacuum to 500 PSIG/34 bar pressure range, and may be actuated using a low air pressure supply of 40 PSIG/3 bar. Systems are based on three basic components: valve modules, substrates housing the stream switching channels, and a venting unit. These interconnect using just two screws, allowing the number of streams to be extended without breaking the connections throughout the entire substrate.

The surface mounting approach means that stream switches are much smaller than systems built using standard valves and tubing - by up to as much as 90%. A complete three-stream switch system for example, can be constructed in an area of around 7 x 7 x 20 cm for example. This has considerable follow-on benefits for users, allowing end users and analyzer OEMs to build highly compact systems, which have extremely small dead volumes for faster and more economic purging, and which require much simpler heating arrangements.

Parker also offers compatible filter modules, which bolt onto the side of the stream switching substrate without any intermediate tubing and compression connections.

R-max Stream Switching (1.2MB)

IntraFlow™  Modular System

Parker Instrumentation shows space- and cost-saving solutions for process analysis
Parker Instrumentation will highlight its growing range of innovative modules that bring new efficiencies to process analysis system builders. State of the art products include the company's SP76-compliant surface-mounting substrate and components for industrial analyzers, a modular valve system for automated stream switching in gas and liquid analysis applications, and a turnkey solution for venting samples from process analyzers into a plant's flare disposal or return system.

Parker Instrumentation will also launch a radical new type of instrument manifold system, one that is expected to set a new standard for connecting instruments to process lines. Developed over more than two years, and with considerable input from large-scale users, Parker believes it is the most significant development in instrumentation manifolds for many years.

Parker Instrumentation's modular SP76-compliant substrate - IntraFlow - delivers a leap forward for process analytical and laboratory instrumentation flow control systems.  At various trade shows, Parker will highlight the new ability to provide users with complete assembled solutions including instruments and heaters from a single purchase order - as a result of teaming agreements with Honeywell and Intertec. IntraFlow surface-mounting fittings dramatically reduce the amount of space required, minimizing the volume of sample flow paths, and speeding construction and reducing cost of ownership.  Substrate fittings plug together in seconds using novel slip-fit connectors.  No welding is required to build a system.  The 1.5 inch (38.1 mm) footprint modules simply screw onto a 'pegboard' backplane that provides the connection force and rigidity for the finished flow control assembly, and may be disassembled rapidly for maintenance or re-use.  Finished systems occupy typically around 25% of the space of a conventionally plumbed flow control system. A major advantage of Parker's new substrate is its intrinsic support for three-way flow paths.  Unlike the linear substrates in common use for semiconductor 'gas stick' delivery systems, IntraFlow maintains flow paths on a single plane - regardless of direction.  No manifolds on additional substrate layers are needed to implement the more sophisticated functionality required by sample systems.  This approach allows flow control substrates to be constructed with extremely low profiles of less than 3/4 inch (20 mm) - including the pegboard.

IntraFlow System (536kB)          IntraFlow Enhanced Functionalities (599kB)

Pilot Pro™ Communication Interface for Sample Conditioning

Pilot Pro is a new process sample conditioning system communications interface designed to provide a link between plant process control operations and analyzer maintenance networks, no matter where the two are located.  A sensor and solenoid administration module, Pilot Pro is designed to acquire, transmit, and manage real-time sample system information via an electronic interface, facilitating critical process control decision-making.

The flexible communication capability on Pilot Pro allows analyzer engineers and technicians to receive critical sample system data (pressure, temperature, and flow) to promote proactive maintenance activities and reduce system downtimes.  Able to support a variety of communication protocols, including Ethernet, Modbus,Profibus, and others, Pilot Pro provides a complete communications solution for process analytical applications, making “smart” systems a reality for both modular and conventional sample handling systems.

According to Mike Cost, Applications and Innovation Engineer for Parker IPD, Pilot Pro’s ability to support a variety of communication protocols meets a growing, industry-wide need to do process analysis remotely.  “Real-time, locally obtained sample data is critical to accurate assessment by process analyzer engineers and technicians who may be located remotely from a sample site,” Cost said.  “With downsizing, there are now far fewer people in the field to collect data at the analyzer or sample system. Pilot Pro bridges this gap, gathering local data and translating it into any one of a number of common protocols for customers to access and act upon.  Consequently, Pilot Pro offers far greater versatility for a wider range of customer applications than other competitive systems.”

In addition to supporting multiple communication protocols, Pilot Pro offers other unique features as well.  Pilot Pro offers both custom pneumatic, and electric feedthroughs for the end user. This provides reliable separation of hazardous zones while allowing real-time troubleshooting of electrical components. Pilot Pro features hazardous area certified, off-the-shelf hardware for reduced order and delivery times, guaranteed reliable performance, and ongoing product support.  Plus, Pilot Pro can be utilized with Parker CTC HMI (Human Machine Interface) hardware and software for data trending of information from multiple Pilot Pro units and analyzer systems.

In discussing Parker Pilot Pro differentiators , Cost pointed out the critical nature of obtaining accurate sample data.  “Right now, greater than 75% of process analyzer failures in the areas of chemical, petrochemical and power generation can be related to inaccuracies in sample handling systems.  Many plant operators have recurring problems with poor analyzer performance.  As a result, they remove the analyzer from control schemes, or incur significant costs for analyzer technician call-outs,” said Cost.  “Maintenance can be time-consuming and ineffective without key sample parameter information.  Parker Pilot Pro eliminates these issues while minimizingthe need for costly communication infrastructure upgrades.”

All hardware is rated for FM Class I Div. IIor ATEX Zone 2operation.  The system enclosure is Nema 4X rated with options including solenoid valves manifold-mounted in 4, 6, or 8 valve configurations with manual locking override and LED indication (blanking plates may be used to isolate unused valve positions).  A variety of PLC systems or simple I/O chassis hardware may be used for transmission of data to local area analyzer networks or to the plant DCS.  Hazardous zones are separated by a compression barrier that allows the removal or the addition of transducer/analyzer hardware from the sample system.  Multiple pneumatic and electrical interfacing options are available to meet customer mounting preferences.

Pilot Pro (2.3MB)

Vent Master Header Pressure Control System

Parker Instrumentation provides a solution for venting samples from process analyzers into a plant's flare disposal or return system. Designated Vent Master, the product creates a constant pressure environment in the vent header to keep chemical/petrochemical process analyzers operating at their maximum accuracy. The system eliminates the need to vent to atmosphere, and resolves analyzer accuracy issues associated with alternative disposal techniques.

Vent Master is highly compact, fitting easily into the smallest of field shelters, and is a completely mechanical solution with minimal moving parts - requiring no regular maintenance. Offering a high flow rate capacity suitable for handling multiple analyzer streams, the product complements Parker Instrumentation's Vent Recovery Panel for single continuous analyzers, which is now in operation worldwide.

Process analyzers require very stable flow and pressure conditions to operate accurately. As a result, process sampling systems are often vented straight to atmosphere – because it provides a stable reference point. But, with increasing clean air regulation, companies are being forced to reduce or eliminate emissions. In order to comply, the most straightforward solution is to vent analyzer samples into a plant’s flare path. Unfortunately, the pressure in flare headers can be extremely variable – adversely impacting measurement accuracy.

Available in sizes capable of handling maximum flow rates up to 18 SLPM – enough to handle the largest of field analyzer installations – Vent Master isolates the vent header from the flare path, creating a stable pressure that is regulated to +/- 0.15 inches of water column (~0.0004 bar). Accuracy is maintained for flare header back-pressures up to 20 PSIG. This wide operating range makes the device an off-the-shelf solution for virtually any plant, one that is more than capable of handling the typical pressure variations associated with process disposals to a plant's flare system.

Vent Master (1.8MB)

The Parker Analyzer Pressure Regulation and Vent Recovery System automatically and continuously adjusts for variations in gas supply pressures and flows. This system has been engineered to meet the requirement of continuous analyzers designed to operate at constant pressure in order to provide accurate analyses of gases. The combination of pressure and flow regulation provides the required stability even with greatly varying inlet and outlet pressures.

Vent Recovery System (750kB)