Endress+Hauser receives PCN Europe award 2012

This year's PCN Europe's award went to Endress + Hauser for their innovative multiparameter level transmitter Levelflex FMP55. The device combines guided radar and capacitive technology to ensure reliable level and interface measurement even in the presence of an emulsion layer.

Norbert Thomann, Product Manager Level at Endress + Hauser, accepted the award on the company's stand on the ACHEMA tradeshow in Frankfurt. "The product has also been very well received in the market, especially in the Oil & Gas industry, where reliable level and interface measurement is an important factor, but also in other sectors like the chemical industry. With conventional guided radar sensors, an emulsion layer between the media causes a signal loss of the interface layer surface. In this case the Levelflex automatically switches to the capacitive mode and offers a reliable interface measurement, while the guided radar offers a correct overall level value "

The innovative Levelflex FMP55 multiparameter level transmitter can measure both the overall level of a liquid and the interface between two liquids. The FMP55 is the first transmitter to utilize two level technologies built into one probe. The transmitter will automatically switch between the technologies in order to provide a concise and reliable interface measurement, even in the presence of emulsion or rag layers. The use of two technologies eliminates many problems associated with interface level applications.

Capacitance is not affected by emulsion or rag layers in interface applications, and the radar allows the transmitter to monitor the overall level as well as the interface level. The transmitter has a multi-echo tracking algorithm that can track up to 20 tank echoes simultaneously as the tank level rises or lowers. This ensures that the transmitter will not make a "jump" to an echo that is not the true level, such as a internal tank obstruction or heater coils. The level sensor has a measuring range of up to 10 m. The transmitter offers a 4-20mA with HART output signal plus an optional second 4-20 mA output

With its coated multiparameter probe, the FMP55 is suited for interface measurement in the oil, gas and chemical industries. It can be used in process temperatures from -50 to 200C and in pressures from -1 to 40 Bar. The FMP55 carries a SIL 2 rating as certifed by TÜV per IEC 61508 and has ATEX, IEC Ex, FM and CSA area classification approvals available.

The FMP55 is equipped with a HistoROM built into the main housing of the transmitter. All of the setup parameters are stored on the HistoROM and, in the event of an electronics change-out, all of the information will be uploaded directly into the new electronics module. In the case of multiple units being set up at the same time with the same measurement parameters, the same HistoROM information can be transferred into a display that can be removed and installed in the next transmitter. This allows for the transfer of the set-up data, greatly reducing setup time during field commissioning.

Endress+Hauser offers three different setup methods for the FMP55. The first method is the use of the removable display. Second, the device can be fully commissioned via the three buttons on the display itself, using a menu-guided six-step quick setup. Third, the free FTD-based FieldCare software program allows for a very flexible method for setup using a PC, and the software can be integrated into a complete lifecycle management system