A Case Study On Sensor Technology

AT X Company

BY: NAKEME ELLISTON AND ROCHELLE LEE

IntroductionThis company is responsible for producing

energy at the highest standard of service to their customers ensuring delivery in a safe and environmentally responsible manner. Sensors play an integral role in the proper manipulation of the day to day operation of the industry. These Sensors are used to monitor and detect variations and varying conditions; working in conjunction with a control system that seeks to regulate and attenuate these issues to its normal conditions.

Sensors at the Industry

Sensors used at the Power PlantIn this industry we utilize sensors that

meets the specification of :Pressure sensingPosition sensingLevel and position sensingTemperature sensing Flow sensing and manipulation Tactile sensingVelocity SensingForce and Strain sensing

Categories of Sensors

Pressure Sensing: Pressure TransmitterPressure SwitchCylinder Pressure sensorPressure gaugesDifferential Pressure

sensor Temperature Sensing:ThermometersPt100ThermocoupleRTD

Wireless temperature sensor

 Position: Load IndicatorLevel Switch  Accelerometers:Piezoelectric

Level Sensing:Float(water sensing)

Inside the Engine HallA deeper look: Within the engine hall are six engines. The engine is divided into two banks, A Bank and B

Bank (these are simply reflections of each other). These two banks are needed because one is needed

for mechanical control and the other for electrical control.

There are pyropipes (flex conduits) within the engine hall that leads to cylinders within the engine.

Each engine has six cylinders, these are all integrated with temperature sensing elements .

There are thermopipes(also flex conduits) which leads to the main bearings with the engine which are also monitored by temperature sensing elements.

Temperature

Sensors

Resistance temperature detector(RTD)

• RT =RT0(1+αT)

• The electrical resistance of many metals changes with temperature.

• RTD uses metals whose resistance increases with temperature.

-01: Temperature transmitter

-02: Protection well -03: Connector -04: Sealing ring

Thermocouple

There only exist k type thermocouples on the cylinders.

There 24 k type thermocouples for the cylinders on the engine.

Each cylinder utilise 4

thermocouples Two each for cylinder head

exhaust gas temperature Two each for cylinder linear

temperature There are 7 thermocouples in

contact with the main bearing each thermocouple monitors the temperature of the 7 main bearings

Protecting well

Sensing element

shrink

Platinum resistance temperature sensor

(Pt-100)

• Pt-100 is a standard sensor and is the common abbreviation for the most common type of resistance temperature sensor used in industry.

• Pt-100 sensors should be used when measuring temperatures in range of

-40°C to +160°C.• A three-wire connection will

eliminate most of the effect of the lead resistance on the measured value.

-01: Sensing element -02: Protection well -03: Cable

Thermometer

WIRELESS MONITORINGBIG END BEARING

TEMPERATURE

•The system comprises of one wireless temperature sensor with a stationary antenna, and a signal processing unit(per cylinder).•When the wireless sensor passes the stationary antenna the radar pulse is reflected back to the signal-processing unit via the stationary antenna.•This unit is linked to the alarm system

Level Sensors

Monitoring the fluid oil H.p. pipe leakage

Level switch sensor s are used for fuel oil leakage ; dirty oil.

Level switch for leak oil; dirty fuel.

Level switch for leak oil; clean fuel.

Water level sensor

• The sensor in both conditions, when it is dirty and when it clean.

• An anchor is at mid-point of the wire to keep that section of the sensor in the water stable while the other section which contains the sensor floats.

• There is a latch inside that stays connected, until the end with the sensor rise far enough with the water, to a point that the lead disconnects.

Lubrication Oil Wet Sump

A float switch and an oil dipstick is used for checking the lubricating oil level in a wet sump.

Pressure Sensors and

Switches

STARTING AIR INLET AND CONTROL PRESSURE

Pressure transmitters are used here. Relates information to PLC PLC send s information to Wois The Wois decides the implication

Pressure sensor

Shut-off-valve

Pre

ssure

gauge v

alv

e

Pressure gauge• Liquid fill Glycerine .

• Mechanical gauge measure pressure by making use of the mechanical distortion in the tube or diaphragm when exposed to a difference in pressure.

• In terms of deformation: -one side is exposed to atmospheric

conditions. -the instrument measures the pressure

by using the distortion at the other side.

• An accessory shut-off valve is place between the process and the sensor.

• Gauge failure can be cause by pipe vibration and water condensation, which in cooler climate can freeze and damage the gauge housing.

Position Sensors

ENGINE SPEED

Speed transmitting sensor is used here

TORSIONAL VIBRATION A speed Transmitter is used here.Checks uniform speed along the 360 degrees rotationGets the pulses(measures the frequency) and relay this information to the PLC

Solid state circuitry

Bracket

Locking unit

camshaft

OPITICAL SENSORS

OIL MIST DETECTOR

Protects the engine against serious damages originating from main bearing shells or piston components overheating.

Here the opacity of the crankcase atmosphere is determined by infrared light

Oil mist detector

Suction pipe Sampling

funnel

Pressure regulatorControl air to oil

mist

Accelerometer

MONITORING SPEED

Speed setting actuator(principle of piezoelectric)- uses a accelerometer sensor for speed government.That is the speed government of the entire engine.

Screw

housing

Seismic massPiezo-

ceramic

Electrical connection

contactMachine block