What are the commonly used types of automation instruments and meters

Automated instruments and meters are automation technology tools composed of several automation components with relatively complete functions. It generally has multiple functions simultaneously, such as measurement, display, recording or measurement, control, alarm, etc. Automated instruments and meters themselves are a system, as well as a subsystem within the entire automation system. Automated instruments and meters are a type of "information machine" whose main function is to convert information forms, converting input signals into output signals. Signals can be expressed in the time or frequency domain, and their transmission can be modulated into continuous analog or intermittent digital forms.

Automated detection instruments and meters are widely used in industrial production due to their precise measurement, clear display, and simple operation. Moreover, they have interfaces with microcomputers and are an important part of automation control systems, known as the eyes of automation control systems. Automation instruments mainly include temperature instruments, pressure instruments, level instruments, flow instruments, and some process analysis instruments.

1. Temperature instruments and meters

The temperature of the medium inside petrochemical equipment or pipelines generally needs to be indicated and controlled, commonly using thermal resistors and thermocouples. Special thermal resistors include oil tank average thermometers, etc; Special thermocouples include wear-resistant thermocouples, surface thermocouples, multi-point thermocouples, explosion-proof thermocouples, etc.

2. Pressure instruments and meters

Pressure gauges are divided into liquid column type, elastic type, and piston type. As a pressure regulating system, displacement balanced base type regulators are still commonly used on site, in addition to using pressure transmitters to send signals to DCS or other regulators.

3. Material instruments and meters

There are no universal products for material instruments and meters, which can be divided into direct reading, buoyancy, static pressure, electrical contact, capacitive, ultrasonic, and so on according to measurement methods. Among them, radar, magnetostrictive, and matrix eddy current level gauges have high accuracy and are widely used in the petrochemical industry.

4. Flow meters and instruments

Flow rate, not just the general flow velocity, is the volume and mass of fluid flowing through an effective cross-section per unit time. In addition, it is necessary to know the cumulative volume and mass of fluid flowing through a pipeline over a period of time.

5. Online process analyzer

From a process perspective, ensuring process parameters such as temperature, pressure, flow rate, and liquid level during the production process only indirectly guarantees the quality of the final or intermediate products. Therefore, direct analysis of material composition during the process and analysis of the composition of the final product are very important.