A measuring system for special requirements
In the production plant for Laurolactam, Evonik Industries AG uses tube bundle reactors. The challenge is to install a sufficient number of temperature measurement points in a small space within a single tube reactor. These are vital to quickly detect high temperatures and undertake countermeasures to prevent destruction or the accelerated aging of the catalyst due to overheating.
Due to the small diameter of the reactor tubes, the necessary number of measurement points and the demands on the speed of data acquisition, it was not possible to use a conventional measuring system. Evonik needed a customized solution to meet these requirements - and they found one in the SITRANS TO500 from Siemens.
To quickly detect high temperatures and prevent destruction or the accelerated aging of the catalyst, we needed a sufficient number of temperature measurement points.Matthias Hüning, specialist in electrical measurement and control technology in the High Performance Polymers business sector at Evonik
We can reliably detect the development of hotspots or the effectiveness of the catalyst.Matthias Hüning, specialist in electrical measurement and control technology in the High Performance Polymers business sector at Evonik
Evonik uses this information to initiate measures to reduce the temperature. Maintenance procedures, such as replacing the catalyst when necessary due to its age, can also be performed. SITRANS TO500 allows Evonik to extend the life of the catalyst in the reactor, which means cost-effective, preventative maintenance procedures are performed based on need.