YOSHIKAWA Osamu1 SHIKUYA Norihiro1 TANAKA Toshiyuki1 TANABE Seiji1 ARAI Takashi1 OHTA Hironobu1
We have developed the new ADMAG AXF series, the world's first magnetic flow meters with an electrode adhesion diagnostic function, as well as various application functions.
This paper describes the fundamental principles and development methods behind the new functions, and the advanced technology of the ADMAG AXF series, such as the linearity improvement of flow rate measurement and the decrease in variation between sensors by magnetic circuit simulation, the adhesion diagnostic function, and a full dot matrix LCD that can indicate what type of maintenance work should be performed when an alarm is issued.
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Figure 1 ADMAG AXF Series |
In 1988, Yokogawa launched the ADMAG series of magnetic flow meters with increased resistance to fluid noise and zero stability, employing dual frequency excitation which was developed based on its long-cultivated technology for flow measurement. Since then, the ADMAG family has augmented its application range with such models as explosion-proof and integral types, and a capacitance type.
Recently, however, flow measurement applications are required to offer increased performance and functions as well as ease of maintenance, due to technological advances in production systems, high-mix, low-volume manufacturing, and other factors. Against this background we have released as a successor to the ADMAG series, the ADMAG AXF series, which has further strengthened performance, functions, and user friendliness. Figure 1 shows an external view of the ADMAG AXF products. This paper introduces the AXF's features, principles, and technological concepts.
This chapter explains the major features of the ADMAG AXF series products.
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Figure 2 Measurement Principle |
Improved Performance and Specifications
User Friendliness
Expanded Product Lineup
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Figure 3 Electromotive Force Simulation |
The ADMAG AXF boasts an accuracy of 0.2% at the time of shipment, compared with 0.5% for the previous series. This achievement was realized by reappraising the former products and a number of diverse technological innovations, which are described below:
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Figure 4 Magnetic Circuit of the Former ADMAG |
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Figure 5 Magnetic Circuit of ADMAG AXF |
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Figure 6 Relationship between Coil's Opening Angle and Flow Meter's Linearity |
As a result of the varied analysis technologies and accurate simulation as shown above, we were able to reduce the number of prototypes produced and consequently the total development period, as well as to develop products with excellent accuracy, achieving that which is usually unattainable through a trial-and-error evaluation with prototype models only.
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Figure 7 Relationship between Plate Core's Opening Angle and Example of Actual Flow Measurement Results | Figure 8 Results of Actual Flow Measurement with Three ADMAG AXF Prototypes |
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Figure 9 Noise Frequency's Spectrum |
Dual frequency excitation is Yokogawa's unique method that increases noise resistance and response speed for high-frequencies, as well as zero stability for low-frequency excitation simultaneously, by superimposing high-frequency excitation signals on low-frequency ones. Slurry and fluids with low electrical conductivity exhibit a so-called 1/f characteristic where a higher level of noise is found at low frequencies and vice versa, as shown in Figure 9. Therefore it is evident that high-frequency excitation produces low-noise signals with a high signal-to-noise ratio. Taking advantage of such a noise characteristic, the ADMAG AXF series has greatly increased its slurry-noise resistance by approximately doubling the frequency for high-frequency excitation dual frequency excitation, compared to that of the former series (see Figure 10). This technique enables fluids with a conductivity as low as 1 μS/cm to also be measured.
In return for this double frequency, however, we were faced with the need to improve the frequency characteristics of the flowtube's magnetic circuit. This was not possible for the former ADMAG which houses the exciting coil inside the pole piece core (see Figure 4), therein being subject to eddy currents. With the ADMAG AXF, on the other hand, we rearranged the structure, including eliminating the pole piece core (see Figure 5), thereby successfully improving the magnetic circuit's frequency characteristics twofold or more (see Figure 11).
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Figure 10 Test Results Using Actual Slurry | Figure 11 Magnetic Circuit's Frequency Characteristics |
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Figure 12 Electrode Adhesion Diagnosis Circuit |
Magnetic flow meters are used in a variety of applications, and if some insulating material has adhered to the electrodes, flow may not be measured correctly due to the flow rate fluctuates, hunts or overranges. As a solution to this situation, the ADMAG AXF has incorporated a new function that diagnoses the adhesion of insulator materials to the electrodes. Figure 12 illustrates the electrode adhesion function. The adhesion level can be judged by measuring the resistance between an electrode and the earth ring. To this effect, an ultra-small, rectangular current pulse is fed from the electrode to the earth ring in order to measure the resistance using Ohm's law. The pulse frequency is synchronized with even multiples of the flow signals' frequencies. When the flow signals are operated, the pulse frequency is cancelled out and thus does not influence the operated computat ion outputs. Conversely, when the adhesion diagnosis signals are operated, the flow signals are cancelled out with no influence on the diagnosis results. This kind of signal processing makes electrode adhesion diagnosis possible even during flow measurement (see Figure 13).
The severity of adhesion is judged in four levels based on pre-defined values. Figure 14 shows an example of adhesion level results, indicating adhesion level 3, which facilitates the visual identification of adhesion development. Level 3 corresponds to a warning and a status signal can be output. When the adhesion level is judged to be level 4, an alarm output can also be set.
Although the adhesion criterion levels are preset to reference values at factories, they can be changed by users depending on their applications.
Figure 13 Operational Principle of Diagnosis Circuit for Insulator Adhesion to Electrodes
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Figure 14 Example of Adhesion Level Display |
Previously, when insulating material adhered to the surface of a flowtube's electrode, it could not be cleaned off until the flowtube was removed from the piping. With the ADMAG AXF, as shown in Figure 15, multiple components—an O-ring, an electrode, a spring, washers, and an electrode cap—are combined into a single unit by means of a retaining ring, thereby expediting the removal of the electrode unit without the need for disassembling the components. This enables the adhered material on the electrode surfaces to be cleaned off without removing the flow meter itself from the piping. The electrode sealant is a fluorine rubber O-ring that prevents fluid leakage when it is subject to pressures three times greater than the maximum specification under allowable operating temperatures (10°C to 160°C).
Moreover, as long as the electrode unit is installed with a specified tightening torque, span errors that are caused through the attachment and removal of the unit have been confirmed to fall into within 0.1 percent, a range which affects measurement accuracy negligibly (see Figure 16).
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Figure 15 Replaceable Electrode Unit |
The ADMAG AXF series uses non-contact infrared switches in the display (see Figure 17). Figure 18 shows the operating principle of these switches. Switch operations are detected when infrared rays emitted from a luminous device are reflected by an operator's finger and thus enter a photoreceptor device. As shown in Figure 18, simply touching the display glass of the casing cover can set and change parameters, and the cover does not have to be opened.
For reasons related to the operating principle, switches can operate whenever infrared rays enter the photoreceptor device, even if the operator's fingers are a little away from the glass. This may lead to insufficient operability for users or even mis-settings, due to inconsistency between their senses and the actual operations. To compensate for this principle drawback, we limited the allowable optical paths as shown in Figure 18. Both the devices are covered with a mask with apertures and the paths were designated by adjusting the positions and sizes of the apertures. The sensing areas are determined by lines A and B, as well as lines C and D, and the switches can operate only if the operator's finger is placed therein, thus improving user's operability.
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Figure 16 Span Errors Due to Replacement | Figure 17 ADMAG AXF's External View |
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Figure 18 Operating Principle |
Lately, as seen with cell phones, display devices have advanced remarkably. In line with this trend, users of field instruments are demanding increasingly easy and versatile input methods.
In response to these demands, the ADMAG AXF series implements a backlit full dot-matrix LCD for its display device. This LCD has a resolution of 132 dots (horizontal) by 32 dots (vertical), which facilitates a maximum of 22 columns wide and up to 4 lines high.
At the time of shipment from the factory, the display is configured to indicate only one line, the instantaneous flow, in a large font. The display enables arbitrary selections of displays from one line to three lines. Figure 19 shows an example of three-line displays. First line is designed with the capacity to indicate characters a little larger than other lines for better legibility. Items that can be displayed include the instantaneous flow, the instantaneous flow on a percentage basis, and the integrated flow. Bar graphs can also be indicated, capitalizing on the merits of dot matrix displays.
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Figure 19 Three-line Display Mode |
If an alarm occurs, normal mode and alarm mode are displayed alternatively. As shown in Figure 20, the ADMAG AXF series indicates an alarm on the upper display with the corrective measures on the lower display. Users can see an outline of remedies without reading instruction manuals. The AXF alarms are divided into three categories, namely system alarms, process alarms, and setting alarms. For the electrode adhesion diagnosis and other functions, a non-alarm category called "Warnings" is also provided, which simultaneously displays the normal flow and a warning.
When in the parameter setting mode, displays as shown in Figure 21 are available, indicating a parameter number and name. Both parameter and alarm names can be displayed in not only English but also other languages (Japanese, German, French, Spanish and Italian). So it is easy and convenient for various country person to read and write parameters.
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Figure 20 Alarm Display Mode | Figure 21 Parameter Setting Mode (Example of Choice Parameters) |
This paper has introduced the new technologies which were employed in developing the ADMAG AXF series, with a focus on magnetic field analysis. We believe that through these sophisticated technologies we have succeeded in providing users with a wider range of applications for magnetic flow meters based on their demands, as well as in enhancing the ease of flow meter maintenance.
We sincerely hope that the ADMAG AXF series will be used effectively by customers, and look forward to hearing their comments and requests.
Some specifications of this product was discontinued.
The AXF magnetic flow meter is a sophisticated product with outstanding reliability and ease of operation, developed on the basis of decades of field experience. Based on FOUNDATION™ Fieldbus specifications, AXF Fieldbus Magnetic Flow meter models offer more flexible instrumentation.
Yokogawa's experience with magnetic flowmeters spans decades. Our magnetic flow meters provide flexible configurations for industrial use in most areas.