Curved Thermowell Solution
Customer Issue
The end user needed to protect downstream pipe work from the carry over of cold hydrocarbon liquid and exceeding the pipe design specification.
A new separator temperature measurement would provide the necessary control and protection.
The challenge was that the separator vessel only had a single flanged process connection. But it was on the side and near the bottom. What could we do?
Solution
Following reviews with JWF and ABB the curved thermowell was born.
A curved thermowell with multipoint measurements allowed the trending of the separator process temperature.
By providing a “drop” of 340mm we could measure the temperature within the vessel’s liquid level.
The solution incorporated: 4 off duplex K-type thermocouples, 4 off SIL rated ABB TTH300 transmitters connected to a certified junction box.
Outcome
The curved thermowell is now installed and working reliably.
This engineered solution has enabled better separator performance by providing a suitable SIL rated solution.
As a result, production throughput offshore has also increased.
