Maintenance
Cleaning and calibration will always involve some amount of maintenance. Where is the most attention required?
A clean reference should have a potential difference of 0 mV across the junction (it has open pores). On the other hand, dirty references will have a potential difference across the junction. Why is this important?
When measuring pH, the potential difference generated by the process across the pH-sensitive glass membrane is a measure for the pH of the process. This value needs to be compared to the reference, which should, of course, be approximately 0 mV.
However, when the reference sensor is dirty, a potential difference is generated across the junction resulting in the measurement having a slower response rate. In fact, total blockage of the reference will result in a non-responsive measurement. This is what we call a “CHANGEABLE effect.” Luckily, by regular cleaning of the reference sensor, this effect is easily reversed, increasing the sensor lifetime.
A dirty pH-sensitive glass bulb will result in a slow measurement. This - again - is a CHANGEABLE effect, and by regularly cleaning the sensor, the sensor lifetime will increase, and the response rate of the sensor will be at its best.
Each application is different, and optimizing the maintenance cycle is not always straightforward. In some cases, cleaning once a week is sufficient, but when a lot of dirt builds up, or the deposits are very heavy, it can be necessary to clean as often as every eight hours! To complicate things further the type of cleaning liquid required can be different for each application.
Total Cost of Ownership
The initial cost of buying one pH measuring loop is almost the same as one-year maintenance, calibration, and sensor replacement costs. That means by extending the lifetime of a pH sensor the annual costs of these three will go down.
Read more and download our free pH eBook to learn about the best practices that can extend the lifetime of a pH sensor.
Industries
-
Ammonia
Ammonia producers are faced with rapid growth combined with many older control systems. Growth is driven by global demand for fertilizer and supported by cheap and plentiful shale gas.
-
Base Chemical
Yokogawa has been serving the bulk chemical market globally and is the recognized leader in this market. With products, solutions, and industry expertise, Yokogawa understands your market and production needs and will work with you to provide a reliable, and cost-effective solution through the lifecycle of your plant.
-
Biomass Power
Reducing emissions for home grown energy.
-
Chemical
Chemical plants rely on continuous and batch production processes, each posing different requirements for a control system. A continuous process calls for a robust and stable control system that will not fail and cause the shutdown of a production line, whereas the emphasis with a batch process is on having a control system that allows great flexibility in making adjustments to formulas, procedures, and the like. Both kinds of systems need to be managed in available quality history of product, and to be able to execute non-routine operations. With its extensive product portfolio, experienced systems engineers, and global sales and service network, Yokogawa has a solution for every plant process.
-
Chlor-Alkali
The rigorous demands of Chlor-alkali production require accurate, reliable instrumentation that provides all required measurements.
-
Cogeneration
Cogeneration or combined heat and power (CHP) is an efficient approach to generating power and thermal energy from a single fuel source.
-
Desalination
Desalination is the removal of dissolved salts from seawater, mineralized groundwater, brackish water from inland seas, and municipal wastewater.
-
Drinking Water Treatment
The goal of drinking water treatment is to produce clean, safe, and potable water that meets regulatory standards and is suitable for drinking and other domestic uses.
-
Energy Transition
- Innovative from the start.
- Responsive to the end.
- We'll bring capability, resiliency, and reliability to your energy transition journey.
-
Food & Beverage
The food and beverage industry must produce safe, high-quality foods and beverages for consumers. In addition to quality control, the manufacturing processes include many challenges such as managing ingredients, improving efficiency and handling global environmental issues. Yokogawa leverages its decades of technological expertise to help customers build and operate the ideal factory.
-
Geothermal Power
Generating electricity despite the weather.
-
Hydro Power
Reliable monitoring and control of hydropower plants around the world.
-
Industrial Water
Industrial water is essential for production and process water, manufacturing facilities, feed water for boilers and cooling towers, food & beverage processes, and other treatment needs.
-
Iron & Steel
- Iron and steel industry
- Improve quality of products, manufacturing, and operation technologies
- Address environmental and energy-efficiency issues
- Create the ideal plant and evolve for mutual growth
-
LNG Liquefaction
Highly reliable YOKGOAWA production control systems, which have been proven thorough extensive global projects, are installed in 76 trains of LNG liquefaction facilities and continues to improve the safeties, efficiencies and productivities. Also, YOKOGAWA contributes to maximize the revenue by enabling the efficient operation to the complex liquefaction process via APC (Advanced Process Control) license with consulting.
-
LNG Regasification & Storage
YOKOGAWA's production control systems are operated at 54 LNG receiving terminals around the world, and 2/3 of the terminals in Japan. YOKOGAWA contributes to stable and efficient gas supply at LNG receiving terminal through the total process, loading, storage, regasification, and metering.
-
LNG Supply Chain
YOKOGAWA has been engaging in LNG automation by supplying the latest sensors, analyzers, control and information systems for more than 50 years since LNG was first imported to Japan. YOKOGAWA is one of the biggest automation suppliers to the worldwide LNG supply chain, liquefaction, transportation, and regasification.
-
Methanol
The increasing demand for petrochemical goods, coupled with the quest for cleaner energy sources, contributes to the surge in methanol demand.
-
Mining & Metal
Mining operations produce valuable minerals or geological materials from the Earth. Economical recovery often requires high throughput and high availability of the process with low operation costs, and stringent safety and environmental regulations.
-
Nuclear
Nuclear power accounts for 11% of the world's electricity today. There are over 440 commercial nuclear power reactors spanning 31 countries providing continuous and reliable base-load power without emitting a single foot print of carbon dioxide gas. Nuclear plants all over the world count on Yokogawa's high reliability and availability to keep the plants running safely.
-
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion
Harvesting around the clock energy from tropical waters.
-
Oil & Gas Downstream
The oil & gas downstream industry has been facing an increasing number of challenges in recent years. These include the changing characteristics of the feedstock to be processed, aging of process facilities and equipment, rising cost of energy, lack of skilled plant operators who can run a refinery safely and efficiently, and the ever-changing requirements from both the market and the customer.
Over the years, Yokogawa has partnered with many downstream companies to provide industrial solutions focused on solving these challenges and problems. Yokogawa's VigilantPlant solutions have helped plant owners to achieve maximum profitability and sustainable safety within their plants.
-
Petrochemical
- Diverse needs of petrochemical companies’
- Improve quality, productivity
- Yokogawa tailor-made solutions, long and wide-ranging experience in this field
-
Pharmaceutical
Under continual pressure to increase profitability, maintain government compliance, and meet emerging market opportunities, the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry faces unique challenges that require unique solutions. As one of the world’s leading industrial automation suppliers, Yokogawa is poised and prepared to deliver those solutions, creating individualized lean manufacturing techniques that deliver consistent, measurable results.
-
Power
In the mid 1970s, Yokogawa entered the power business with the release of the EBS Electric Control System. Since then, Yokogawa has steadfastly continued with the development of our technologies and capabilities for providing the best services and solutions to our customers worldwide.
Yokogawa has operated the global power solutions network to play a more active role in the dynamic global power market. This has allowed closer teamwork within Yokogawa, bringing together our global resources and industry know-how. Yokogawa's power industry experts work together to bring each customer the solution that best suits their sophisticated requirements.
-
Processing & Fractionation
- Natural-gas processing
- Control dew point of natural gas stream
- Separate natural gas liquids for sale and distribution
-
Pulp & Paper
The paper and pulp industry is highly competitive and must meet ever-changing market needs. Yokogawa helps realize energy-efficient plants which are globally sustainable.
-
Refining
In the ever-changing marketplace, refineries are seen not only as crude processing units but also as profit centers. At the same time, there is a keen awareness of the need for safety at such facilities. A total production solution that encompasses planning, scheduling, management, and control is required to achieve long-term goals for profitability, efficiency, and environmental protection. With years of expertise in the automation field, Yokogawa can bring you affordable total solutions for improved operability and a cleaner world.
-
Specialty & Fine Chemical
Yokogawa has long served customers in the specialty and fine chemicals market. With a market leading batch solution that offers the best in class reliability and flexibility as well as industry experts who understand the complex requirements in designing a batch solution, you can be assured that in your partnership with Yokogawa you will have a system that will enable you to produce products that meet your customers’ needs in the future while maintaining safety and regulatory compliance.
-
Water & Wastewater
All water, regardless of its source, has value. However, with water resources being finite, a focus on "One Water" is necessary to maximize every drop within the water system, ensuring a stable supply of clean and safe water. As we consider current and future needs, planning and implementation are critical for long-term resilience and reliability, meeting both community and ecosystem demands. Yokogawa believes water is a human right for all. Thus, contributing to a sustainable water cycle is one of our Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Related Products & Solutions
-
All-in-One pH/ORP Sensor Series FU20 and FU24
The FU20 and FU24, all-in-one pH and ORP, sensors show how Yokogawa applies the motto "Simple is best" to sensor technology.
-
Differential pH/ORP Sensors
Cation differential pH and ORP sensors
-
Industrial pH/ORP Electrodes
The heart of a pH measuring loop is the electrode system. Yokogawa has designed a wide range of electrodes to ensure this heart keeps beating under the most severe conditions.
-
Pharmaceutical pH and ORP Electrodes and Fittings
Superior accuracy and stability, even after repeated sterilizations
-
Pure Water pH and ORP Sensors
Achieving accurate and reliable readings using a traditional pH analyzer is challenging, however with the right equipment stable and accurate pure water pH measurements can be accomplished. Yokogawa's specialized bellomatic pH sensor is proven best solution for high purity water applications. For those individuals that do not like the maintenance of refilling sensors, then the FU24 which incorporates the successful patented bellow system in an All-in-one body is the ideal solution.
-
pH and ORP Analyzers
Optimize field maintenance, calibration, and system configuration
-
pH and ORP Sensors
Ensure fluid process operations