Service in the Snow to keep the Gas Flow
Background
Our Project & Site Services Manager, Craig Hamman, attended a customer site to oversee the installation of our custom-manufactured pipe saddles. These saddles were designed to accommodate the installation of our Fox Thermal FT1 insertion gas mass flowmeters, widely recognised for their accuracy and innovative design.
The application involved monitoring low-pressure gas flows, specifically from anaerobic digestion and landfill processes, where reliability, safety, and ease of maintenance are critical factors.
Challenge
The customer required a method of installing flowmeters into existing galvanised steel pipework without the risks and complications associated with welding. Welding in hazardous or zoned areas can create significant safety concerns, add cost, and increase downtime.
Additionally, the site needed a system that would allow for ongoing maintenance and verification of the meters without interrupting production or shutting down the process line.
Solution
To meet these requirements, our team provided custom-engineered pipe saddles that enable drilling directly into the existing pipework while maintaining a gas-tight seal for low-pressure applications. This approach eliminates the need for welding, ensuring safer, faster, and more cost-effective installation.
The Fox Thermal FT1 insertion gas mass flowmeter was then installed using these saddles. The FT1 offers a hot tap withdrawable system, allowing the meter to be removed and checked without disrupting operations.
With its award-winning design, the FT1 also incorporates DDC-Sensor™ technology for enhanced accuracy and stability, along with the Gas-SelectX® gas menu selection tool, which provides flexibility across multiple gas types.
Result
The installation provided the customer with a safe, efficient and reliable method of measuring gas flow in their anaerobic digestion and landfill operations. By using our custom saddles and the Fox Thermal FT1, the customer avoided the complications of welding, achieved a robust and gas-tight seal, and gained the ability to service and verify the meters without production downtime.
The solution not only improved operational safety and efficiency but also demonstrated the value of combining tailored engineering solutions with cutting-edge instrumentation technology.
