Are blocked tapping points giving you a headache?

Published: 25th February 2015 | Issue 32

The CLEARGUARD Autorodder in operation

BVAA members GPEC Ltd, based in Wigan, Lancashire, are extremely proud to have extended their portfolio as the exclusive UK sales agents of OEM’s, by agreeing the sales representation of CLEARGUARD® PTY LTD, Perth, Australia.

In year 2000, CLEARGUARD® identified the need for safe and reliable process measurement. This prompted them to design and manufacture an automated rodding device, the Autorodder, which prevents scale build-up on tapping points. The Clearguard Autorodder was invented and developed with the assistance of field trials taking place in Australia and Scotland and a worldwide patent was granted in 2001.

Partially blocked or plugged tapping points and impulse lines have been a curse on accurate and reliable process variable measurement for decades, however now, that problem has been solved.

Designed and manufactured in Western Australia and Oregon, USA, the CLEARGUARD® Autorodder keeps tapping points clear at all times. Operating in applications where process temperatures can reach 1400˚C and pressures up to 1450psi, the CLEARGUARD® Autorodder has proven itself to be reliable and effective in keeping the tapping point open, allowing for accurate and unimpeded process variable measurement.

How does the Autorodder work?

The CLEARGUARD® Autorodder is a simple device. By using proven pneumatic cylinders, operating on instrument air, a specially designed scraper is periodically stroked through the tapping point, scraping all scale and debris from inside.

The aim of the Autorodder is not to unblock tapping points that are plugged but more to prevent any build-up of scale before it has a chance to block. The scraper of the Autorodder has an annulus and cross section allowing for continued process variable measurement during the 1- 3 second cleaning stroke. At this point the wax, scale, crust or debris that is usually at a loose or toothpaste consistency is easily removed and pushed back into the process stream. The scraping/cleaning stroke takes less than a few seconds and even during the stroke, the field instrument/ pressure transmitter is on-line, measuring the process variable. With the ability to be operated locally or remotely, operators are able to dictate the required frequency for the scraper to clear the tapping point.

Benefits of the CLEARGUARD® Autorodder:

Standard connections:

The Clearguard Autorodder can be manufactured in accordance with International Standards for flange and thread connections.

Safety:

The Clearguard Autorodder eliminates any potential risk to technicians.

Dilution:

The Autorodder reduces the need for purge to an absolute minimum thus ensuring minimal process dilution via the addition of a purge medium.

Energy Savings:

By reducing the addition of a cold purge to an absolute minimum, energy used to generate heat for efficient process refining is no longer required to heat unnecessary additional purge.

Servicing Tools:

The Autorodder does not require any special tools for installation, operation and maintenance.

Instrument Reliability:

A clear tapping point ensures field instrument process variable measurement is accurate and reliable at all times.

Plant/Process Efficiency:

With clear open tapping points, accurate process variable measurement allows for improved process/plant efficiency. Spurious unit outages due to plugged impulse lines and tapping points are eliminated.

Special Field Instrument:

The Autorodder allows the use of accurate, inexpensive and rugged pressure and differential pressure transmitters instead of expensive fragile non-contact instruments.

GPEC Ltd are here to offer end-users sales and after sales support within the UK working direct with CLEARGUARD® to bring safer and more reliable process variable measurements to the UK markets.

GPEC Limited
Tel: +44 1942 356 653
Web: www.gpec-ltd.com