Using wireless communication for tough industrial applications is not a new concept. The technology has been around for more than 30 years, with the use of proprietary radios.
modernization of industrial networks
However, with the modernization of industrial networks and the emergence of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), there has been an increasing demand for secure standardized industrial wireless technologies, or open wireless technologies, such as WirelessHART and ISA 100.
This discussion focuses on the WirelessHART (IEC 62591) technology.
WirelessHART
Industrial facilities are using WirelessHART for remote and in-plant monitoring applications
Across the world, there is an increasing number of industrial facilities using WirelessHART for remote and in-plant monitoring applications (e.g. corrosion, vibration) as well as for on-off control.
There are more than 40,000 WirelessHART mesh networks deployed globally.
cost and time-saving benefits
Interestingly, UEI is also seeing an uptick in life safety applications leveraging the cost and time-saving benefits of WirelessHART technology.
An example of such an application is gas detection for toxic and combustible gases such as methane (CH4) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S).
6 reasons to consider WirelessHART gas detection
- Easy and fast gas detection installation for remote and hard-to-access areas
There are a lot of applications located far away from the central facility or difficult to reach even within the facility (e.g. detecting leaks in large tank farms). These applications may not have adequate gas detection coverage.
The idea of deploying a WirelessHART gas detector into these areas with network coverage allows the user to obtain an instant monitoring point without having to run conduit, saving installation time and associated costs, compared to fixed gas detectors.
- Flexible continuous emission monitoring
Environmental regulations mandate that industrial facilities monitor for fugitive emissions diligently (e.g. methane leak detection, wellhead leak monitoring).
A WirelessHART detector can be rapidly deployed anytime, anywhere to provide continuous monitoring of emissions, supplementing manual leak detection methods like Method 21.
- Minimizing profit loss from downtime
A gas leak if not detected early could lead to catastrophic consequences, which could, in turn, result in profit loss from a facility shutdown.
A WirelessHART gas detector makes it quick and cost-effective to increase gas monitoring density and augment asset monitoring so that leaks can be detected before it accumulates and cause a shutdown.
- Operational resilience
There are wireless gas detection companies out there that use proprietary wireless technologies. However, the challenge arises if that vendor decides to obsolete the technology or files for bankruptcy.
As more gas detection companies jump on the open wireless communication bandwagon, a WirelessHART system ensures that the user is not held captive to a sole vendor. This ensures operational resilience.
- Robust wireless technology support
WirelessHART is backed by a large consortium called the FieldComm group (FCG).
Maintaining and improving the WirelessHART technology is one of the key organizational goals for FCG and a user can be assured that the technology is well-supported and proven in use by large main automation providers.
- Scalability
Once the WirelessHART network infrastructure is installed, adding or removing wireless gas detectors is a simple operation, down to mounting and dismounting the device.
This ease of scalability makes WirelessHART gas detection a very attractive option.