Leak Detecting Flow Switch Prevents Damage To Gas Compressors

Process and plant engineers who need to monitor fugitive emissions from compressors, pressure relief valves, pumps and other gas flowing components will find a highly reliable solution in the FlexSwitch® FLT93S Flow Switch from US manufacturers Fluid Components International (FCI).

The FLT93S Switch’s high sensitivity and ability to detect and alarm on very low flows offers fast response leak monitoring and detection of gas flows. It provides early warning and process shut-down signals that can prevent damage to these expensive components and their processes as well as reduce the probability of accidents and government incident reporting.

The FLT93S Switch is the ideal plant preventative maintenance and safety tool. It helps ensure gas flow system components are operating correctly. Gas flow process components are frequently installed with a flow switch to detect leaks of all kinds. For example, detection of a blown relief valve or one that has not seated properly is an ideal application for the FLT93S Switch. These FCI flow switches are a best available technology solution because of their ability to sense very low flow rates, to provide the earliest possible leak detection (verses less sensitive devices) and to avoid the potential damage caused by blowing seals at much higher velocities.

The FLT93S Switch is an easy to install insertion-style instrument that includes dual 6A relays, which are fully user settable for any HI, LO, HI/HI or LO/LO detection and trip scenario. It operates over a wide gas flow sensitivity range from 0.25 to 120 SFPS (0.08 to 37 SMPS). Accuracy is ±0.5 percent of reading or 2 SFPS (0.06 NMPS). The standard FLT93S withstands operating temperatures from -40 to 350°F (-40 to 177°C), and an optional configuration is available for temperatures from -100 to 850°F (-73 to 454°C). The full instrument has global agency approvals of FM, CSA, ATEX and IEC for hazardous, Ex environments and has SIL 2 compliance rating.

With its advanced thermal dispersion mass flow sensor, the FLT93S Switch features built-in temperature compensation, which ensures repeatable and reliable operation, even in extreme environments, such as those found in the high temperature chemical refining and other process industries. This automatic compensation adjusts the instrument for changes in operating environment temperatures to ensure the trip points will remain accurate and will prevent false alarms or alarm failures to improve end-product quality, to maximise safety and to allow alarms to be set within a narrower set point range.

A wide selection of standard and custom process connections can be provided with the FLT93S Switch. The electronic control circuit can be integrally-mounted with the sensing element, or it can be located in a remote location. The standard enclosure is a rugged aluminum alloy rated for NEMA 4X and IP66, with stainless steel or fiberglass enclosures optionally available.

In addition to the standard FL93S Switch, FCI designs completely custom flow sensors and flow switches for OEM application to compressor and component manufacturers and system suppliers. The company’s flow applications experts will work directly with component manufacturers and with users to provide flow instrumentation solutions to meet unique equipment and application requirements, including corrosive, high pressure and high temperature environments.