Remote Condition Monitoring in ATEX Zoned Areas
AVT Reliability® Ireland are working with a customer to help improve reliability via remote condition monitoring of site-critical centrifuges in an ATEX zoned area.
| LOCATION: | Dublin |
| INDUSTRY: | API Pharmaceutical |
| PROCESS: |
Separation of crystalline powders and solvents. |
| EQUIPMENT: | Centrifuges |
| PRODUCTS: | Machine Sentry® Fixed 2 Sensors |
| SERVICES: | Remote Condition Monitoring |
| FINANCIALS: |
Sudden failure of centrifuges would result in the stoppage of plant production and therefore significant production loss and repair cost. |
The Challenge
Centrifuges are critical assets, operating at 600rpm these assets have the key purpose of separating crystalline powders and solvents using centrifugal force. Both Centrifuges are behind guarding and run continuously therefore only accessible during shutdowns.
Should an unexpected failure occur with these, production of the plant would come to a halt. Additionally, these assets are located in an ATEX zoned area and therefore ensuring the safety of employees and equipment while not compromising productivity and efficiency of production was a priority.
The Solution
Working alongside the customer team and due to the criticality of these assets, AVT Reliability® Ireland were able to provide a solution which met stakeholder requirement by providing a higher level of condition monitoring in the form of remote data visibility via our Machine Sentry® ATEX Gateway solution.
Our ATEX Gateway solution will transfer key data collected by our MSF-2 sensors installed on both Centrifuges to our Machine Sentry® cloud, giving site staff visibility of data in realtime and therefore a more frequent overview of asset health.
This will allow staff to monitor asset alarm triggers through trendable data, with analysis and added safety net from our Automated Diagnostic Assistant (ADA), giving them assurance they can act quickly should the centrifuges develop a sudden progressing defect or abnormality.
The Outcome
Since the gateway has been operational, AVT Reliability® Ireland have received positive feedback from site, stating that the upgrade has allowed them to access critical data to detect and diagnose machinery issues and take the necessary remedial action before escalating to a bigger problem.
