Product category:
Environmental sensors and sampling systems
News Release from: Parker Instrumentation | Subject: IntraFlow
Edited by the Processingtalk Editorial
Team on 20 November 2003
Modular flow control substrate for
process samples
ISA/ANSI SP76.00.02 substrate provides platform to achieve NeSSI goals in petrochemical or chemical analytical, laboratory and general instrumentation flow control applications
ISA/ANSI SP76.00.02 substrate provides platform to achieve NeSSI goals in petrochem/chemical analytical, lab, and general instrumentation flow control applications Parker Instrumentation launches a modular substrate delivering a leap forward for process analytical and laboratory instrumentation flow control systems
This article was originally published on Processingtalk on 11 Nov 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Surface-mounted flow control fittings for analyser
Preem Refinery Lysekil in Sweden has installed its first surface-mounting flow control substrate in a process analyser station: the modular fittings are from the Parker Instrumentation Intraflow range
Phastite connectors ease test line construction
The innovative new fluid connector, Phastite, has simplified the construction of a state-of-the-art facility for testing dry gas compressor seals at the new John Crane turbomachinery facility
The new surface-mounting fittings advance performance on all major fronts: dramatically reducing the amount of space required, minimising the volume of sample flow paths, and speeding construction and reducing cost of ownership.
The new Parker IntraFlow substrate fitting was developed to meet the analytical industry standards set by NeSSI: the influential New Sample/Sensor Initiative, which originated at the Centre for Process Analytical Chemistry (CPAC) at the University of Washington.
The NeSSI roadmap has three generations - IntraFlow satisfies the Generation 1 mechanical requirements and is a versatile foundation for the planned Generations 2 and 3.
Further reading
New 20K ball and needle valves
Parker Instrumentation has launched NACE-compliant ball and needle instrumentation valves optimised for high pressure hydraulics and fluid control applications operating at up to 20,000 PSI/1379 bar
PED-certified pressure relief valve
Parker Instrumentation has developed a PED-certified, proportional relief valve for process instrumentation applications, with the ability to provide protection over an extremely broad pressure range
Quality of lowest cost 'economy' tube fittings
Globalisation has led to significant new competition from low-cost producers in high volume product categories that can be copied easily: industrial tube fittings are no exception
Designed to meet the rigorous demands of sampling systems, IntraFlow surface-mount substrate fittings are ISA/ANSI SP76.00.02 compliant, and plug together in seconds using novel slip-fit connectors.
No welding is required to build a system.
The 1.5 inch (38.1 mm) footprint modules simply screw onto a 'pegboard' backplane that provides the connection force and rigidity for the finished flow control assembly, and may be disassembled rapidly for maintenance or re-use.
Finished systems occupy typically around 25 percent of the space of a conventionally plumbed flow control system.
A major technical advantage of the Parker new modular substrate is its intrinsic support for three-way flow paths.
Unlike the linear substrates in common use for semiconductor 'gas stick' delivery systems, IntraFlow maintains flow paths on a single plane - regardless of direction.
No manifolds on additional substrate layers are needed to implement the more sophisticated functionality required by sample systems.
This approach allows flow control substrates to be constructed with extremely low profiles (less than 3/4 inch/20 mm including the pegboard), and additionally optimises efficiency in terms of smaller internal volume sizes for faster sampling and purging cycles.
Another important benefit of the design is its ability to apply heat right at the substrate, for rapid and precise sample conditioning.
Standard electric heater cartridges may be inserted in a backplane to apply heat via conduction, at within 5/32 inch of the sample flow path.
Pegboards suitable for steam heating are available if preferred.
System assembly and disassembly is entirely mechanical.
The slip-fit connectors that link the modules are simply inserted by hand.
Screwing the module assembly down onto the pegboard then requires just a 5/32 inch Allen key.
All components are reconfigurable and reusable, a feature that supports the development of NeSSI Generation 2 and 3 components and technologies.
"The idea was born out of what has been said about process analysis for years - the analyzer is only as good as the sample delivery system," says Graham Johnson, Parker Instrumentation's Business Development Manager.
"The idea has been to miniaturize and modularize in an effort to reduce the cost of ownership." IntraFlow systems may be designed using a free Parker software tool that will be made available on the web.
Users can define the flow path, which then creates a bill of materials (BOM), assembly drawings and process and instruction drawings.
When the configuration is complete, users can order the assembled system from Parker, or build it themselves.
"This is a true paradigm shift for sampling systems," adds Johnson.
"A major benefit is that sampling systems can now be built on-site.
After configuring the flow control path using the software tool, a small stock of modular substrate fittings allows users to plug a system together in an hour or so." The new modular substrate is supported by a wide range of compatible flow control components and accessories such as filters, flow meters, pressure regulators, quick couplers, and a comprehensive range of valve types including ball, diaphragm, metering, needle, toggle, check and relief.
• Parker Instrumentation: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Processingtalk email newsletter
• Processingtalk Home Page
