Evaluation of pressure sensing concepts: A technology assessment
Advanced distributed control systems for electric power plants will require more accurate and reliable pressure gauges than those now installed. Future developments in power plant control systems are expected to use digital/optical networks rather than the analog/electric data transmission used in existing plants. Many pressure transmitters now installed use oil filling to separate process fluids from the gauge mechanism and are subject to insidious failures when the oil leaks. Testing and maintenance of pressure channels occupy a disproportionately large amount of effort to restore their accuracy and verify their operability. These and similar concerns have prompted an assessment of a broad spectrum of sensor technologies to aid in selecting the most likely candidates for adaptation to power plant applications. Ten representative conventional and thirty innovational pressure sensors are described and compared. Particular emphasis is focused on two categories: Silicon-integrated pressure sensors and fiber-optic sensors, and both of these categories are discussed in detail. Additional attractive concepts include variable reluctance gauges and resonant structure gauges that may not require oil buffering from the process fluid.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-84OR21400
- OSTI ID:
- 10190000
- Report Number(s):
- ORNL/TM-12296; ON: DE94001036
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: PBD: Sep 1993
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS
47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION
PRESSURE GAGES
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
POWER PLANTS
CONTROL SYSTEMS
SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES
SILICON
FIBER OPTICS
DIGITAL SYSTEMS
RELIABILITY
MAINTENANCE
PARAMETRIC ANALYSIS
PIPES
220200
200104
440800
COMPONENTS AND ACCESSORIES
COMPONENTS
MISCELLANEOUS INSTRUMENTATION