Thermal Remediation Temperature Measurement
Sure Cross® DX80 FlexPower® Nodes with attached RTDs take measurements throughout a sevenstory flour mill and transmit temperature data back to a remote Sure Cross® DX80 Gateway
Customer Requirements: Temperature monitoring in challenging areas
Solution: Sure Cross® wireless network
Why Banner? Reliable Communication – Robust 900 MHz network provides superior range performance and penetrates obstructions
Temperature Resilience – System components operate up to 80° C / 176° F
Customer Benefits
Centralized Data Collection – Gateway consolidates data from throughout the mill and enables data access via an HMI
Simplicity – Wireless connectivity eliminates the need for time consuming cable runs
Background
The EPA has placed restrictions on the use of many fumigants citing a correlation between their use and ozone depletion. As an alternative, a large-scale flour mill performs three to four thermal remediations per year to eradicate flour beetles. The temperature inside the mill is brought up to 122° F (50° C). This is done gradually to minimize equipment and building strain caused by heat expansion. Once this temperature is reached it must be sustained throughout the entire mill for 24 - 36 hours to allow the heat to penetrate any crevices that might shelter the beetles. Failure to sustain a minimum of 122° F will undermine the effectiveness of this process and could necessitate more frequent remediations.
Challenges
Resistance Temperature Detectors (RTDs) were installed throughout the sevenstory mill. Prior to each remediation, cabling was run to the RTDs to allow remote monitoring of temperatures. Some points were easy to access. Other points were more remote and connecting the devices was difficult. Additionally, repeatedly connecting and removing the cables was time consuming and labor intensive.
Solution
By deploying a Sure Cross® FlexPower® wireless network the mill was able to access temperature information from throughout the facility without running cables to the RTDs. Fifteen Sure Cross DX80 FlexPower Nodes were deployed and wired to the RTDs. The RTDs take continuous temperature readings which are communicated to the attached Nodes. The Nodes transmit this data back to a remote Sure Cross® DX80 Gateway, centralizing the temperature information and allowing remote access to the data using a Human-Machine Interface (HMI). Each Node is powered by a DX81 FlexPower® battery supply, ideal for providing reliable, long-term wireless operation in low-power, low-maintenance networks like this.
Featured Products
Performance Series Industrial Wireless Gateways and Nodes
Create point-to-multi point networks that distribute I/O over large areas. Input and output types include discrete (dry contact, PNP/NPN), analog (0 to 10 V dc, 0 to 20 mA), temperature (thermocouple and RTD), and pulse counter.