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Many process automation systems are located in almost “clean room”environments, where there is little concern about atmospheric conditions attacking the equipment.
Nevertheless, not all of the control system equipment may be in a central location, and there is alwaysthe threat that time and unforeseen circumstances may expose sensitive instruments and computer gear to the corrosive elements that lingerin the areas surrounding many chemical and pharmaceutical plants. Evenif the exposure is relatively small, over a period of time the effectcan be cumulative.
The ECM is a multiparameter monitoring system that is designed to protect sensitive equipment from these eventualities. It provides constant surveillance of the environment, reportingany deterioration that could result in damage to expensive equipmentand valuable assets. If there is any humid, high temperature, or corrosive conditions, it will rapidly detect the conditions and will permitcorrective action to be taken before substantial damage occurs to sensitive computer and instrumentation systems or electrical equipment.
The system measures humidity, temperature, and the corrosive attack on two replaceable thin-film sensors. The corrosion rate of copperand silver sensors is shown by indicator lights that correspond to the ISA classification of environments (G1 through GX) for copper and silver.
Analogue and/or digital outputs of corrosion, humidity and temperature information provides remote alarming, display and recording. The information may also be stored in the on-board datalogger, and accessed via PC software. The system can also be used as a high-sensitivity corrosion monitor for special applications.
The ECM isparticularly useful for environmental monitoring in refineries, chemical plants, pulp and paper plants, control rooms, computer rooms, museums, and clean rooms.
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