Critical Application Solution Experts®

The customer: A refinery using pressure gauges for a variety of applications.

The problem: The gauge pointer indicated 42 psi with no applied pressure.

The CASE diagnosis: After providing an on-site pressure instrument audit where each gauge and process was documented and logged over a two-day period, Ashcroft noted signs of extreme service, such as elevated temperature, vibration, pressure pulsation, or damage. We diagnosed that 17% of all gauges exhibited signs of damage, including discolored fill, overpressure, liquid fill leaks, water ingress, broken windows, and/or loss of pressure containment.

The CASE solution: After determining the cause of the problem, we provided the customer with our recommendations on how to prevent the issues we found in the audited gauges. Recommendations included:

• Replacing the current gauges with PLUS!™ Performance technology for most gauges at the facility.
  The technology would allow for a 50% reduction in gauge inventory, elimination of liquid fill leaks and fill
  discoloration issues, and dampening of the effects of pulsation and vibration for a longer-lasting gauge.
• Adding a pressure limiting valve (PLV) for when overpressure exceeds gauge proof pressure.
• Glycerin-filled case gauges were also recommended for the small percentage of severe vibration applications.
• An optional IP65 weatherproof gauge case to prevent water/moisture ingress and featured an acrylic
  gauge window to reduce the risk of the window breaking in the future.