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Reduce Biopolymer Operating Expenses with PERpH-X

Reduce Biopolymer Operating Expenses with PERpH-X
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Reduce Biopolymer Operating Expenses with PERpH-X - 1

FMC Biopolymer reduces operating expenses more than 80% with PERpH-X™ sensors. RESULTS • 80% Reduced Maintenance Cost • $200K Yearly OpEx Savings • Measurement Deadtime reduced by 70% APPLICATION pH in a Chemical Processing Plant CUSTOMER FMC Biopolymers in Rockland, Maine, USA CHALLENGE FMC makes ingredients for consumer products such as toothpaste, baking mixes, and other food products. The plant makes carrageenan out of seaweed using a sequence of chemical processing steps that starts with soaking the seaweed at 200°F. The processing tanks and lines are regularly subjected to both acid and base clean in place (CIP) solutions. pH measurement in the recirculation line of the modification tank is used to control acid addition and keep the pH in the range of 7.5 to 8. pH values in this range minimize downstream buildup on filters. Unfortunately, conventional pH electrodes were only lasting less than 1 week in this application, so FMC had installed a triple redundant system to make sure the pH reading is continuously available. The process in the modification tank is a thick brown gel that can be difficult to remove completely from the pH sensor and tends to foul the reference junction, causing the sensor to become nonresponsive. Maintenance on the pH sensor included cleaning the sensor, replacing the glass electrode every week, replacing the reference electrode every 2 weeks, and replacing the pH assembly every 6 months. Every time the sensor was rebuilt, the pH reading required recalibration, which took an average of 30 minutes to complete. Mike McNeil, E/I Planning Engineer at FMC had investigated several pH vendors but was still looking for a more reliable measurement. He For more information: www.EmersonProcess.com/QBR www.raihome.com Rosemount Analytical’s PERpH-X™ model 3400HTVP sensor and loop powered transmitter model XMT were installed in May 2006 to run side by side with 3 sensors from another manufacturer to see if they could provide better results.

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Reduce Biopolymer Operating Expenses with PERpH-X - 2

estimated that 20 man-hours a week were required to keep the seven pH loops operating. SOLUTION Rosemount Analytical’s PERpH-X model 3400HTVP sensor and loop powered transmitter model XMT were installed in May 2006 to run side by side with 3 sensors from another manufacturer to see if they could provide better results. FMC had been testing so many different pH products that it was quite simple to install a new test sensor. Paul Geilser of FMC said “we have tested everybody’s pH probe over the last 15 years – we usually trash them within 24 hours.” After 3 months of operation, FMC was amazed...

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