VEGABAR deliver under extreme conditions
In the petrochemical and speciality chemical sectors, reliable pressure measurement isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s essential for maintaining process efficiency and product quality. When you’re operating in harsh environments like remote processing plants across Africa, where temperatures can swing dramatically between hot days and cold nights, your equipment must perform consistently.
This was exactly the challenge faced by a petrochemical plant with a critical pressure measuring point operating in a hazardous area. Temperatures at the site varied from +20°C to +200°C, and pressures fluctuated between 1.5 and 200 kPa absolute. This measurement was key to controlling an automated process, where even small measurement errors could impact both energy consumption and product quality.
Why Traditional Pressure Setups Fail
The plant originally used a conventional differential pressure system with an oil-filled capillary. In hot climates like ours, this type of system quickly runs into problems. Temperature changes during the day cause the oil in the capillary tube to expand and contract, creating measurement drift that can’t easily be corrected. Over time, high process temperatures and vacuum conditions cause the oil to outgas, forming air bubbles that further destabilise readings. These kinds of inconsistencies can lead to unnecessary downtime and increased operational costs.
The VEGA Solution: Reliable Readings, Even in Extreme Conditions
To overcome these challenges, the plant switched to VEGA’s electronic differential pressure system using two VEGABAR Series 80 pressure transmitters. This setup not only eliminated the issues caused by capillaries but also provided stable, accurate measurements, critical for efficient and safe process control.
The VEGABAR 83 pressure transmitters were specifically selected for this application. They are designed to handle extreme temperatures and pressure ranges, from as low as 0 to 25 mbar to as high as 1,000 bar, and process temperatures up to +400°C. Thanks to VEGA’s METEC® measuring cell technology, these sensors can handle thermal shock, resist vacuum, and stay stable even when the environment changes rapidly. Unlike traditional sensors, the METEC® cell is built without elastomers and features self-compensating materials that prevent temperature-related measurement drift.
A key benefit for the plant was the ability to use smaller process connections—just 1½-inch fittings instead of the 3-inch size usually needed for this type of application. This meant easier installation, cost savings, and reduced equipment footprint.
A Practical Fit for African Industry
In regions like sub-Saharan Africa, where many plants face wide temperature swings and tough operating environments, the reliability of VEGABAR’s electronic differential pressure system is a game-changer. These systems are also easy to integrate and can be connected using smart software with no need for complicated setups or large fittings.
The plant’s engineering team was so impressed with the stable, repeatable results that they now plan to roll out VEGABAR’s electronic differential pressure solution across other critical measuring points.
