Memosens sensor technology from Endress+Hauser revolutionized analytical measurement technology. The sensor management system Memobase together with transmitters of the Liquiline platform is part of the cost-saving Memosens maintenance strategy. All data specific to a measuring point, calibration and adjustment in addition to the process data are recorded and processed while the sensors are calibrated. This means that the complete life cycle of a sensor - from its storage through to its disposal - is tracked and analyzed. The sensor management solution consists of Memosens sensors, Liquiline for laboratory and process applications, Memocheck, the interface CDI and Memobase as asset management tool.

pH measurement technology in daily operational activities

Today, the use of digital process analytical measurement technology is a significant component of measurement and control technology in chemical plants as it also supplies data which are of utmost importance to product quality and productivity. The crucial factor in Memosens technology is that the digitalization of the analog measurement signal takes place directly in the sensor and that, in addition to the transmission of current measurement data, all quality-related data, such as temperature, calibration/adjustment values, location, total operating hours and operating times can be stored in extreme process conditions. This allows an optimal evaluation of measuring points to be carried out independently of location. The availability of sensor data at each location makes a change in maintenance strategy possible. This results in considerable cost reductions when compared to the previous mode of operation. The registered data can be used to analyze and, if needed, to optimize measuring systems and maintenance concepts. Sensor management ensures that the operational staff always has enough sensors at their disposal. The staff is therefore in a position to clear a fault relating to pH measurement within minutes at any time of the day or night including weekends and without having to call on an expert.

Lanxess reduces maintenance costs thanks to new strategy

Memosens technology makes it possible to move all maintenance measures such as the cleaning, conditioning, regeneration, calibration and adjustment of the pH sensors to a central location. With this objective in mind, Lanxess in Leverkusen is setting up a central pH service with a computer-aided pH calibration bench ("pH laboratory"), which maintains and manages pH sensors for the different operations. Reproducible laboratory conditions enable precise calibrations and therefore more accurate process management. In addition, regular regeneration and cleaning prolongs the operating life of pH sensors in particular. This approach naturally increases the availability of pH measuring points in operation. It also reduces costs further due to the fact that no specialized knowledge of pH measurement technology is required in order to replace a sensor, and so sensors can be replaced by operating staff. On site, all that needs to be done is to replace the sensors with calibrated sensors. This reduces maintenance time in plants by more than 50%.

The evaluation of the pH measuring points with Memosens sensor technology and the Memobase installed at Lanxess shows that maintenance costs can be reduced, the quality of pH measurement increased and the operating life of pH sensors prolonged.

Memobase will be available in April 2007. (You can find more detailed information about the efficiency of digital sensor technology in the following case study.)