Yokogawa Instrumentation Services

A measurement instrument isn't a one-time purchase. It is a long-term life cycle investment. Yokogawa knows they are often operating critical processes, processes where safety is paramount. That is why Yokogawa offers high-quality life cycle services to keep Yokogawa's instruments in top condition. Yokogawa goes above and beyond to make customer satisfaction. They offer these services at Yokogawa's manufacturing facility in Newnan, Georgia, where highly trained technicians perform a complete assessment, calibrate repair, clean upgrade, and produce a comprehensive service record. 

Yokogawa's full service includes calibration, repairs, cleaning, upgrades, and comprehensive service records. Even on competitor models! White glove inspection process and repair, from simple touchups to sandblasting and repainting, are part of the Yokogawa difference.

Yokogawa's full instrumentation services includes:

• Calibration and Certification 
• Installation / Loop Check / Startup 
• Preventative and Corrective Maintenance Services 
• Emergency Repair 
• Programming and Troubleshooting 
• Factory Repair / Flow Testing

Additional Yokogawa Instrument Services

• On-site Calibration and Certification (All Manufacturers' Equipment)
• Emergency Repair, Programming, and Troubleshooting
• Preventative and Corrective Maintenance Services

For more information in Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas and Missouri contact Power Specialties. Call (816) 353-6550 or visit https://powerspecialties.com.

Power Specialties: Industrial Markets

Established in 1967, Power Specialties was founded on the concept that customer service is of primary importance. Our staff of Sales Engineers are well trained in the application and selection of instrumentation and control products. Specializing in providing instrumentation and control solutions for industry:

• Ethanol / BioFuel
• Agricultural and Specialty Chemical
• Power
• Pharmaceutical
• Manufacturing
• Water/Wastewater
• Food/Beverage
• Oil and Gas Production

For more information, visit Power Specialties at  http://www.powerspecialties.com or call  (816) 353-6550 .

Introduction to Industrial Transmitters: Transmitters 101

Differential Pressure Transmitter
(Yokogawa)

Transmitters are process control field devices. They receive input from a connected process sensor, then convert the sensor signal to an output signal using a transmission protocol. The output signal is passed to a monitoring, control, or decision device for use in documenting, regulating, or monitoring a process or operation.

In general, transmitters accomplish three steps, including converting the initial signal twice.

The first step is the initial conversion which alters the input signal to make it linear. After an amplification of the converted signal, the second conversion changes the signal into either a standard electrical or pneumatic output signal that can be utilized by receiving instruments and devices. The third and final step is the actual output of the electrical or pneumatic signal to utilization equipment  controllers, PLC, recorder, etc.

Transmitters are available for almost every measured parameter in process control, and often referred to according to the process condition which they measure. Some examples.

• Pressure transmitters
• Temperature transmitters
• Flow transmitters
• Level transmitters
• Vibration transmitters
• Current, voltage & power transmitters



Level Transmitter (MTS)

• PH, conductivity, dissolved gas transmitters, etc. 

Output signals for transmitters, when electrical, often are either voltage (1-5 or 2-10 volts DC) or
current (4-20 mA). Power requirements can vary among products, but are often 110/220 VAC or 24 VDC.  Low power consumption by electrical transmitters can permit some units to be loop powered, operating from the voltage applied to the output current loop. These devices are also called two-wire transmitters because only two conductors are connected to the unit. Unlike the two wire system which only needs two wires to power the transmitter and analog signal output, the four-wire system requires four separate conductors, with one pair serving as the power supply to the unit and a separate pair providing the output signal path. Pneumatic transmitters, while still in use, are continuously being supplanted by electrical units that provide adequate levels of safety and functionality in environments previously only served by pneumatic units.

Temperature and Flow Transmitter
(Fox Thermal Instrument)

Many transmitters are provided with higher order functions in addition to merely converting an input signal to an output signal. On board displays, keypads, Bluetooth connectivity, and a host of industry standard communication protocols can also be had as an integral part of many process transmitters. Other functions that provide alarm or safety action are more frequently part of the transmitter package, as well.

Wireless transmitters are also available, with some operating from battery power and negating the need for any wired connection at all. Process transmitters have evolved from simple signal conversion devices to higher functioning, efficient, easy to apply and maintain instruments utilized for providing input to process control systems.

Industrial Steam Boiler Optimization Toolkit

Steam generation

The primary function of a utility boiler is to convert water into steam to be used by a steam turbine/ generator in producing electricity. The boiler consists of a furnace, where air and fuel are combined and burned to produce combustion gases, and a feedwater tube system, the contents of which are heated by these gases. The tubes are connected to the steam drum, where the generated water vapor is drawn. In larger utility boilers, if superheated steam (low vapor saturation) is to be generated, the steam through the drum is passed through superheated tubes, which are also exposed to combustion gases. Boiler drum pressures can reach 2800 psi with temperatures over 680°F. Small to intermediate size boilers can reach drum pressures between 800 and 900 psi at temperatures of only 520°F if
superheated steam is desired. Small to intermediate size boilers are only being considered for this application note.

With oil‐burning and gas‐burning boiler efficiencies over 90%, power plants are examining all associated processes and controls for efficiency improvements. Between 1 and 3% of the gross work produced by a boiler is used to pump feedwater. One method of improving overall efficiency is by controlling feedwater pump speed to save on pump power.

Read the entire optimization toolkit below (courtesy of Yokogawa).

Industrial Boiler Optimization Toolkit from Power Specialties, Inc.

Fundamentals of pH Control in Industrial, Municipal, and Commercial Applications

Handheld pH Meter & Sensor
(courtesy of Yokogawa)

Analytical measurement and control of pH within a system is necessary for many processes. Common applications include food processing, wastewater treatment, pulp & paper production, HVAC, power generation, and chemical industries.

To maintain the desired pH level in a solution, a sensor is used to measure the pH value. If the pH is not at the desired set point, a reagent is applied to the solution. When a high alkaline level is detected in the solution, an acid is added to decrease the pH level. When a low alkaline level is detected in the solution, a base is added to increase the pH level. In both cases the corrective ingredients are called reagents.

Accurately applying the correct amount of reagent to an acid or base solution can be challenging due to the logarithmic characteristics a pH reaction in a solution. Implementing a closed-loop control system maintains the pH level within a certain range and minimizes the degree to which the solution becomes acidic or alkaline.

An example of an automatic pH level control system is a water treatment process where lime softened water is maintained at a pH of 9, using carbon dioxide as a reagent. As the untreated water (or influent) enters the tank, the pH is continuously monitored by the pH sensor. The sensor is the feedback device to the controller where the setpoint is compared to the control value. If the values are not equal, the controller sends a signal to the control valve that applies carbon dioxide to the tank. The reagent is applied to the tank at varying rates to precisely control the pH level. With the pH level at 11 detected by the sensor, the controller commands the control valve to open and introduce more carbon dioxide. As the increased carbon dioxide mixes with the influent, the pH is lowered in a controlled manner. Reaching the setpoint, the carbon dioxide flow is minimized and the process is continually monitored for variation. The effluent is the treated water that is discharged out of the tank. The process continues to provide the lime softened water at the desired pH level.