Emerson digital automation product addresses unplanned outages

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Emerson Process Management has announced that it has introduced a new class of digital automation technology designed to address unplanned outages, arguably the biggest challenge facing manufacturers today.

Emerson's new Smart Machinery Health(TM) Management is an extension of the company's proven PlantWeb(R) digital plant architecture, and will significantly impact the way chemical, oil and gas, refining, power, pulp and paper, and other process manufacturers use and maintain rotating equipment, such as pumps and motors.

"Unplanned production shutdowns can cost companies $1 million or more per day, with mechanical failures -- responsible for 43 percent of plant interruptions -- being the single biggest cause," said John Berra, president of Emerson Process Management. "Process manufacturing plants can include 2,500 machines, with typically 60 percent being motor-pump combinations, so expanding PlantWeb to cover rotating equipment is a milestone in our ability to meet customer needs."

The innovative predictive diagnostics of PlantWeb monitor the performance and health of valves and instruments in more than 5,000 manufacturing installations around the world. Emerson's new Smart Machinery Health Management technology enables PlantWeb to extend the power of predictive diagnostics to rotating equipment by providing unprecedented real-time monitoring and analysis through the use of an intelligent transmitter.

Motors and pumps are traditionally monitored infrequently and repaired only after they fail. The cornerstone of Emerson's new Smart Machinery Health(TM) Management is the industry's first digital transmitter that continually diagnoses conditions of motors and pumps, including bearing failure, coupling misalignment, motor electrical failure, pump cavitation, and pump imbalance.

Delivering this continuous actionable information about the health of rotating equipment allows plant operators to recognize issues with machinery before shutdowns occur and take action to improve availability and plant performance, resulting in less equipment downtime, longer machine life and lower maintenance costs.

"We are excited and proud to announce this new innovation, which represents another major step toward enlightening plants with open, digital intelligence and predictive diagnostics," Berra said. "It is a clear response to our customers' operational challenges and will deliver significant business benefits for users."

Company Information

Emerson

8301 Cameron Road
Austin, TX 78754 (see map)
Phone: (512) 832-3089
Fax: (512) 834-7600
Website: www.emersonprocess.com