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Variance in Pressure Switch Deadband

01/28/2012 12:41 PM

My client has 27 small reactors. The gas blanket pressure in the reactor is controlled by a pressure switch that drives a solenoid valve. It turns out, after some significant data collection and analysis that the gas blanket pressure needs to be kept in a fairly tight band, otherwise the process reaction does not progress properly if and when the pressure falls outside a pressure band.

The issue is the variance of pressure switch deadbands from switch to switch, for the same model pressure switch. The pressure switch cut sheet lists a deadband range for any switch. Apparently, what appear to be identical switches can fall anywhere within the deadband range.

4 vessels (2 well performing, 2 badly performing) were outfitted with pressure transmitters to monitor the pressure. The well performing reactors stayed within a given pressure band, the poorly performing reactors were outside a given pressure band.

In the poorly performing reactors the band was too large allowing the pressure to drop, resulting in a wider pressure band with less frequent cycling, but poor performance.

Yes, we know about pressure transmitters, electronic PID or on/off controllers and respective valve actuation, but given the size of these reactors and the respective gas useage, that the process doesn't need constant pressure, it just needs pressure maintained within a consistent band, classic on/off control.

Electronic control seems to be an expensive upgrade compared to getting consistent switch deadbands.

Anyone aware of pressure switches with consistent, repeatable deadband?

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#1

Re: Variance in pressure switch deadband

01/28/2012 1:19 PM

Why not just use pressure regulators?

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#2
In reply to #1

Re: Variance in pressure switch deadband

01/28/2012 2:19 PM

Go electronic....the switches you're using are not suitable for this purpose...

http://www.lesman.com/unleashd/catalog/switches/switches_ueone.html

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#3
In reply to #2

Re: Variance in pressure switch deadband

01/28/2012 2:23 PM

Are you replying to me, or to the OP?

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#5
In reply to #3

Re: Variance in pressure switch deadband

01/28/2012 3:12 PM

oops wrong button....more coffee please

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#6
In reply to #5

Re: Variance in pressure switch deadband

01/28/2012 3:32 PM

No problem--pretty easy to sort out. (Sometimes I too need more coffee, or less of something else.)

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#4

Re: Variance in pressure switch deadband

01/28/2012 2:27 PM

Check out this blog, "Why is pressure switch deadband such a crapshoot?"

http://blog.lesman.com/2011/11/02/pressure-switch-deadband/

Same deal, inconsistent deadband. Apparently there's an 'electronic' pressure switch with precise, repeatable deadband.

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#7

Re: Variance in Pressure Switch Deadband

01/29/2012 5:47 AM

Connect all 27 reactors to a common manifold set at the required pressure. Make sure that the manifold is large enough to feed them all without fluctuating outside the required tolerances. Scrap the 27 pressure switches and open the solenoid valves all the time a gas blanket is required within the reactor. You only need one expensive pressure regulator.

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