Better ways to manage, measure, and control the use of oil and industrial fluids have early adopters reaping the benefits. Fluid handling and flow instrumentation solutions such as flowmeters, storage and transfer systems, and pumps are increasingly connected and digitalized, more feature laden, and raise the standard for monitoring and optimization.
Connectivity gains
Working toward a fully digitalized instrumentation and network-centric architecture, ABB announced that its SwirlMaster and VortexMaster flowmeters were awarded FieldComm Group Ethernet-APL certification. The communication interface enables remote access to measurement values, process data, and meter information from flowmeters that was hidden or inaccessible in the past, says Frank Frenzel, global product line manager at ABB.
"At ABB, we have implemented APL to the highest cybersecurity standards. We have also made a great effort to ensure maximum compatibility, and we are very proud that FieldComm Group confirmed and certified this compatibility,” adds Frenzel.
The Pulse Asset system for fluid management from Graco is designed for facilities with varying wireless signal availability. Its programmable ID tags meter and track fluid dispenses, even when offline. Up to 40 dispenses can be stored for later syncing with Graco’s Pulse HUB when a connection is available, ensuring access to the data needed to predict machinery failure and help manufacturers increase asset uptime.
“When seals in machinery begin to wear out, fluid consumption rates increase. Though other systems may attempt to track these consumption rates, many of the dispenses go unrecorded, resulting in unusable data. Pulse Asset automates the recording of data,” explains Graco Product Manager Jack Koenig. “A secondary benefit is that it helps prevent the dispense of the wrong fluid into a reservoir.”
Technology advancements
Improved instrumentation and handling solutions deliver results. The HM-U Hydraulic System Flow Meter from AW-Lake is a turbine flow meter that measures the flow rates of hydraulic fluids for components such as pipes, valves, and fittings. Monitoring, regulating, and controlling flow rates helps its users to optimize maintenance and performance of the hydraulic equipment.
Mounting an AW-Lake Edge Flow Sensor with Bluetooth on an HM-U turbine flow meter further improves access, control, and understanding of the flow measurement. From a mobile device, operators can remotely configure, assign parameters to, adjust, and troubleshoot the sensor.
LubriSource Fluid Handling (LSFH) systems for industrial fluid storage and dispensing save retrieval time, handling costs, and floor space compared to drum and pump alternatives. The product segment, purchased from IFH Group (formerly Sauk Valley Equipment Company), complements LubriSource’s suite of industrial lubrication equipment and services. New fire-safety kits are among the latest improvements to the LSFH product line.
LSFH solutions “ensure customers store lubricants safely while also preserving oil through proper identification, filtration, and breathers,” says Angela Morrow, president of LubriSource. “The most recent enhancement provides measurement at each dispense, allowing a company to accurately measure all fluids and enabling proper inventory controls, condition monitoring, and cost savings.”
Pump developments
Multi-feature pumps and pumping systems are getting attention. The PERIPRO Tube Pump from NETZSCH Pumps USA provides a precise, reliable, and low-maintenance alternative to more complex dosing systems. The peristaltic pump is designed for continuous operation and its only wearing part is the tube. Being hermetically sealed and having an integrated leak sensor helps to prevent contamination.
“With no unnecessary electronics, the pump is a cost-effective solution for accurately metering a broad range of chemicals and additives. It’s the perfect choice for low-flow, low-pressure, industrial applications,” observes Michael Tardiff, mining market and PERIPRO product line manager at NETZSCH Pumps USA.
The new MLE pump motor series from Grundfos is distinctive for its power output of up to 30 horsepower (hp), integrated Safe Torque Off (STO) function that mitigates risks of exposure, standard built-in Modbus RTU, Bluetooth connectivity for improved communication, and an Ethernet port to facilitate Cloud and Grundfos GO Link access for certain models.
Referring to its reliability and energy efficiency for a wide range of applications, Brendan Watson, senior technical sales manager at Grundfos, believes the MLE motor represents a “significant leap forward” in pump technology.
An expanded range of Design Envelope Permanent Magnet pumps from Armstrong Fluid Technology is engineered to deliver significant reductions to energy consumption. “Design innovations including permanent magnet motor technology, improved hydraulics, and intelligent, connected variable speed control make these new Design Envelope pumps more energy efficient and cost effective,” says David Lee, offering manager at Armstrong Fluid Technology.
