Emerson moves on pervasive sensing to ramp up industry offering 29 April 2014

Emerson Process Management says it is expanding its product and service offering around intelligent sensors beyond process operations, with software and algorithms to improve business decision-making through 'pervasive sensing'.

Emerson estimates that over the next 10 years, additional markets served market will more than double the $16 billion traditional measurement market.

Pervasive sensing can help enhance site safety, security, equipment reliability, and energy efficiency in industries such as oil and gas production, refining, chemical, power, and mining, explains Peter Zornio, chief strategic officer at Emerson Process Management.

That, he says, is achieved by installing additional sensors to monitor non-process parameters using Emerson's smart wireless technologies and advances in sensor technology alongside embedded sensor intelligence that prompts decision-making.

"This goes beyond the control room and optimising process performance. They want clarity and certainty of conditions for business-critical decision-making across all aspects of their operations," says Zornio.

"To achieve this, a more comprehensive network of sensors is needed. Pervasive sensing provides the foundation for their insight," he adds.

Emerson, he says, is already seeing customers move to take advantage of pervasive sensing. Zornio cites one "Eastern European oil processing plant" as currently deploying "a full wireless infrastructure to allow the addition of 12,000 pervasive sensing instruments".

That, he says, is 60% beyond the base of traditional process measurements – and is aimed squarely at detecting energy losses, equipment corrosion and safety releases.

"While the industry has widespread adoption of process-related automation, the opportunities for utilising technologies that make a profound, measureable business impact outside of the process have been elusive," comments Steve Sonnenberg, president Emerson Process Management.

"Not any more. The combination of pervasive sensing with software and algorithms for interpretation and decision-making is empowering customers with actionable insights in places they never dreamed."

Sonnenberg points to examples including: ultrasonic and point sensors in the recently acquired NetSafety and Groveley product lines; corrosion and erosion detection technology from the Roxar acquisition; vibration sensing of rotating equipment from CSI; and the Rosemount wireless steam trap monitor and wireless bolt-on surface temperature probe.

Brian Tinham

Related Companies
Emerson Process Management

This material is protected by MA Business copyright
See Terms and Conditions.
One-off usage is permitted but bulk copying is not.
For multiple copies contact the sales team.