Product category:
Pressure measurement systems
News Release from: ABB Automation Tech (Instrumentation + Automation) | Subject: 2600T
Edited by the Processingtalk Editorial
Team on 19 May 2005
Pressure tx meets nuclear plant safety
demands
British Energy has opted to use ABB programmable pressure transmitters for a safety-related application at its Torness nuclear power station, after meeting strict internal assessment criteria
British Energy has opted to use ABB programmable pressure transmitters for a safety-related application at its Torness nuclear power station The ABB 268 series transmitters had to meet strict internal assessment criteria to qualify for use on the power station fuelling machine, in a SIL1 (safety integrity level 1) application
This article was originally published on Processingtalk on 7 Oct 2005 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Robust pressure performance in harsh environments
ABB has expanded its 2600T pressure transmitter range with the addition of a new device suitable for use in harsh process environments, manufactured from stainless steel all round
Pressure transmitters for accurate interface level
The merits of pressure transmitters for accurate interface level measurement are discussed, and a recent application of the ABB 2600T described for recovering hydrocarbons from tank washings
Torness is an advanced gas-cooled reactor (AGR) power station.
The transmitters are part of a system to monitor and control the pressure of carbon dioxide coolant in the fuelling machine, which moves nuclear fuel around the reactor and central block facilities.
If the pressure of the CO2 is too low, it affects the coolant ability to transport heat away from the fuel.
Further reading
IEC 61511 impact on safety instrumentation
The IEC 61508 compliant SIL approved 2600T pressure transmitter from ABB is helping to save on life cycle costs in a real-life application, according to a recent paper
Instruments from ABB at MTEC
ABB will present the latest technology from its comprehensive range of instrumentation products and systems at MTEC 2004 (Birmingham NEC, 11th and 12th February 2004)
New fully comprehensive pressure transmitter range
The ABB FieldIT 2600T pressure transmitter series offers the most complete ranges of pressure measurement equipment currently available, including remote seals, communications and SIL safety models
If the pressure is too high the CO2 will be too warm to provide effective cooling.
British Energy previously relied on pressure switches to play this vital role, but the switches struggled to deal with the large differential pressures involved.
They were often required to operate at atmospheric pressure on one side and 40 barg on the other, requiring them to be frequently recalibrated.
With a nominal operating pressure of up to 400 bar and a differential pressure measuring range of 0.5mbar to 100 bar, the 268 transmitter is ideal for this type of high-end process automation application.
British Energy has not experienced any of the calibration and maintenance problems associated with the old switches since the ABB transmitters were installed earlier this year.
All programmable instrumentation for use in safety-related applications in British Energy power stations must pass the company Programmable Electronic System (PES) Assessment, which checks that the instruments can provide the required safety integrity level.
Although British Energy installation is a SIL1 application, ABB 268 series transmitters have been specified because of their ability to provide the level of integrity required.
British Energy has recently completed a general assessment that should make it possible to use the ABB 268 pressure transmitters in most SIL1 applications, subject to a supplementary, application-specific assessment in each case.
As well as meeting British Energy criteria, the ABB transmitters are designed to comply with the latest international safety standards.
Although the safety integrity levels set out in IEC 61508 measure the safety function of overall systems, rather than particular instruments, the safety pressure transmitter 268 is designed to meet typical requirements for use in hazardous applications that call for SIL2 and SIL3 integrity.
The 268 pressure transmitter is part of ABB 2600T pressure transmitter series, which offers one of the most complete ranges of pressure measurement equipment currently available.
A vast selection of options, including basic model types, materials, working pressure, fill fluids, remote seal options and communications standards, enables the 2600T series to offer a host of customisable pressure transmitter solutions for a host of applications.
More information about IEC61508 can be found in the ABB new article entitled 'Safety first and last', which is featured on the website.
• ABB Automation Tech (Instrumentation + Automation): contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Processingtalk email newsletter
• Processingtalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
