There is a growing consensus that incremental operational improvements are no longer sufficient to sustain industrial processes. Many leading organizations are rallying behind the innovation imperative that calls for major transformation to business models and strategies (Deloitte, 2014). This is especially true with the impending technological revolution, where innovation will form a key component in making businesses sustainable and operations more efficient.
When launched in 2016, Red Meters’ key innovation was the simplicity of it’s methodology in measuring the density of industrial slurries. Over the past few years, the team has expanded their focus to include the software and electronics components of their non nuclear slurry density meter. Earlier this month the company announced upgrades to their electronics which will deliver interoperability upgrades, new software and analytics features, and new customization options.
Early adopters of the Red Meters technology, including Process Control Engineers and Operators, communicated their need for interoperability between measurement instruments and a wide range of control systems. Analogue input alone, which was the initial electronics output for the Red Meter, is of limited use for customers who have sites where they are bridging the gap between analogue electronics and the new digital world. Following this feedback, Red Meters V2 electronics boasts HART Protocol, which acts as a bridge between old and new technologies, as well as Modbus. Including both of these technologies allows for integration for companies who operate both legacy or modern systems alike. Red Meter’s V2 electronics supports HART output out of the box for any of the variables being measured, not just density or percent solids.
In addition, Modbus is now fully supported as TCP and RTU. Whether your process uses something other than an industrial process control network, or if your process is directly connected to another industrial control, the V2 can be used as a modbus slave.
The software has also had some significant developments including remote support and diagnostics allowing customers to request assistance and diagnostics remotely – all without having to physically access the meter. This is especially helpful for remote installations and includes remote data log upload and download.
Prior to the V2, the Red Meter provided live outputs and historical readings without being able to totalize the targets. The V2 includes totalizers to do so.
To round out the electronics upgrades, new industrial screens have been added. The robust screens are designed to withstand volatile environments and can now be separated from the computer as opposed to being physically integrated with the meter. This gives users the opportunity to choose between an integrated computer and screen, or a separate computer and screen. This will aid processes where operators are not in physical proximity to the meter. In a case like this, there is no reason to have a physical output on a screen. The screen can be far from the meter, or wherever it is most convenient.
These upgrades result in increased performance and convenience for the end user. Our goals for these new upgrades are to keep performance at its peak and move towards a higher level of automation. Modernization of industrial processes is achievable and often simpler than one might think.
Upgrades to V2 from V1 electronics are available for existing customers. For more information, please get in touch.
Red Meters LLC manufactures non-nuclear slurry density meters for industrial processes.