Yokogawa combo offers smarter sensing

Yokogawa has combined its pH and ORP sensor technology with integrated digital communications and signal-processing circuitry to produce a range of self-contained smart sensing solutions.

The SENCOM smart sensor is designed to enable improved maintenance management and diagnostics. The unit has its own permanent calibration memory, allowing it to be calibrated in the lab before returning it to the field.

The sensors are said to maintain specific measurement and calibration data and this information can be exchanged between the sensor and a transmitter such as Yokogawa’s FLEXA family. Dedicated SENCOM SPS24 management software is also available for use with a Windows PC.

Utilising historical measurement, calibration and diagnostic data from the sensor, the SPS24 data management system provides users with the tools necessary to predict maintenance and calibration frequency and estimate sensor life. The calibration information can be managed, analysed and conveniently documented by the SENCOM SPS24 software.

Another benefit, says Yokogawa, is that the unit makes it possible to monitor sensor aging in real time using a sensor “wellness” feature. Users can also carry out reference impedance measurements for the early detection of diaphragm clogging.

Yokogawa adds that the new SPS24 SENCOM PC software makes it possible to optimise the performance of pH/ORP sensors for enhanced reliability and process safety.

The software, it explains, allows the operator to continuously monitor pH/ORP sensor measurements,  perform calibrations and configure the various parameters, keeping track of up to 100 different SENCOM sensors.

The first SENCOM sensor to be introduced in Yokogawa’s new family is a  pH/ORP sensor, targeting applications requiring easy, accurate and reliable  measurements.

Future sensors will target the full spectrum of pH and ORP applications in the power, utilities, petro-chemical, chemical and pulp & paper industries.