PRESSURE CONTROL MEANS OUTSTANDING PROCESS CONTROL — WHEN PRECISION IS WHAT YOU NEED
Pressure sensors and transmitters come in all shapes and sizes, but it is precision that makes the difference. For Pressure Control Solutions, a company in Veenendaal, this is of pivotal importance. They tested OEM sensors from a wide range of providers when developing their precision instruments and eventually decided to use sensors from KELLER Pressure.
Armand Bergsma is the founder and creative force behind the company Pressure Control Solutions (PCS). His business develops innovative precision instruments for process controls in which pressure plays a key part. Armand and his team alike enjoy conquering challenges and developing these incredible solutions. He believes that when you find a solution that is convincing and encouraging, you must see it through to becoming a reality.
The product
Within his previous job role, Armand worked on the implementation of flow rate and pressure regulations every day and, in doing so, got to know the American company Equilibar LLC. The product Equilibar® is a back pressure regulator with patented technology that ensures high levels of precision and stability for pressure checks on chemical processes. Armand decided to set up his own business, PCS, on the back of his fascination for this field and belief in the product. Today, PCS evaluates or develops the best-possible solutions for pressure control and process regulation of its customers’ applications.
The Equilibar® back pressure regulator is especially suitable for tough process conditions such as low flow rates, extreme temperatures, mixed-phase liquids, corrosive substances or processes with high hygienic requirements. It is available in standard versions made from stainless steel 316 or even from chemically resistant alloys (hastelloy, inconel etc.) or synthetic materials (PTFE, PEEK and many more). The operating range measures from a few microbars to 1380 bar, and, in most cases, both liquids and gases can be regulated with a single valve.
How it works
The Equilibar® control valve is a back pressure regulator that has a wide range of uses. It is primarily used in the chemical, hygiene, food and drink industries, i.e. throughout production processes that can sometimes feature highly viscous substances and large flow rates, but also high precision requirements.
This product is a diaphragm-sealed, dome-shaped back pressure regulator with multiple orifices. The pressure applied to the diaphragm can completely or partially cover the holes with a seal. As the diaphragm seals up many holes, the medium can escape through a section of a hole if the flow rate is very low, or through all the holes at once if the flow rate is high. The controlled system can therefore be adjusted very finely, even under maximum flow rates. You can typically regulate to 1:40 using a standard industrial regulator, but with this one you can achieve 1:1,000,000.
This solution, which facilitates «the highest levels of reproducibility at the lowest possible dead volumes», occupies a niche within the market and is an innovative development from PCS. An entire product line called «ERC» (Electronic Reference Pressure Control) was developed from this basic idea and is used in a wide array of industries.
ARMAND BERGSMA
Founder and creative force behind the company Pressure Control Solutions (PCS)
«The more accurately you can control the back pressure or reference pressure, the more accurately you can control the pressure in a process that is connected to the regulator.»
Hydrogen production through electrolysis
Hydrogen production through electrolysis is a current, practical example of the importance of precise pressure regulation. To avoid the additional compression stage when producing hydrogen, very high pressures are always used in the process. The gas produced can be bottled straight away and is ready to be transported.
Two back pressure regulators are used in electrolysis; one regulates the flow of hydrogen, another the flow of oxygen. If the flow rate is very low, only a small section of the diaphragm is lifted over an orifice to release the pressure. If the flow rate is very high, the whole diaphragm is lifted over all the orifices. This is of crucial importance during electrolysis because during start-up and shut-down, the flow rate is high at extremely low temperatures, while during normal operation the pressure is high and the flow rate is low. This results in a very wide flow range with a ratio of 1000:1 or greater still.
The Equilibar® back pressure regulator is ideal for electrolysis thanks to the following properties:
- Large dynamic measuring range
- Chemical inertia
- High operating temperature range
- Can manage both liquids and gases
The challenge presented by electrolysis is that the pressure difference between the hydrogen side and the oxygen side, regardless of the static pressure in the system, can only amount to a few tens of millibars in order to avoid damage to the inner workings of the electrolyser. In practice, this means that the pressure difference amounts to less than 0.1% of the static pressure. Measuring this accurately is possible with KELLER Pressure differential pressure sensors.
Why KELLER Pressure?
During the product development stage, PCS tested a wide range of OEM sensors, examined their speed and noise and compared the results. For PCS, it was important to develop a product that was state-of-the-art and achieved the highest possible levels of precision. Armand remembers it well: «Our tests made it clear that KELLER Pressure was the only provider that met the specifications in such a succinct manner. The sensors were quicker and there was less noise than stated. We were also impressed by their very minimal dead volumes, which is an advantage. At the end of the day, the KELLER Pressure sensors were the best.»
Since there are so many benefits to collaborating with just one supplier, PCS would like to cooperate with KELLER Pressureain on redesigning the optimal OEM sensor. In Armand’s opinion, the stellar communication, short transportation routes and delivery times as well as the precision of KELLER Pressure sensors really speak for themselves. Even with this outstanding product quality, PCS can continue to offer its products at competitive prices.
