2
offered, the pressure over time can be tracked allowing the
user to infer if there are plugged lines based on the relation-
ship between pressure and the flow rate. Another use of this
data can be to track the flushing efficiency of the lines. If a
process is often flushed to limit buildup, the pressure and
flow data can be monitored to ensure the lines are being
adequately flushed. Using data from the pressure transmit-
ter, the operator is also able to see if there is a leak in the
system. If a line disconnects or breaks, a drop in the pres-
sure can be seen because the fluid is no longer being pushed
through the line. With monitoring and alerts set, problems
can be identified and addressed in minutes.
NEW ADVANCEMENTS
With the success of the instrumentation skids have had on
the leach pads have had since 2013, Emerson and Caltrol
have made advancements in our offering with both engi-
neered solutions and overall technological advancements.
The first major advancement has been the implementa-
tion of wireless gateway trailers. With the wireless signal
from the leach pad acting like a moving target as each stack
increases the height of the pad, Caltrol has engineered a
gateway trailer that uses solar panels to provide power for
the wireless gateway. The trailer can be placed in a strategic
location on the leach pad to best gather information from
the devices and transmit the signal to the control system
via back haul radio. The major benefit of this is the ability
to move the wireless gateway with each stage to maintain
line of sight to the devices for the best possible wireless sig-
nal. With the solar panels and batteries on the pad, this
also opens the door to solutions like downhole monitoring
which can be used to ensure the safety and stability of the
operation.
Emerson has also made advancements in the techno-
logical capabilities of the devices. Each device uses a battery
that has seen 3-5 years of life depending on update rates and
the number of signals that are relayed through each device.
With advancements in battery technologies, Emerson will
be able to extend the expected life of the devices with some
of the current extended battery life options listed at 5-10
years depending on the application. This paired with the
newer 3051SMV pressure transmitter, that is used for both
the differential pressure flow and inline pressure measure-
ment, offers an unmatched solution with the high accuracy
paired with the lifetime of the device.
WirelessHART
Emerson’s devices utilize an open-source protocol called
WirelessHART. The WirelessHART solution has been
a successful solution due to the ability to precisely relay
multiple variables. Other wireless transmission systems
use radio waves to communicate their signal to the cloud
using a cellular signal or a local gateway. WirelessHART
has had success over these technologies due to a few main
factors. Internally, Emerson devices will scan the area
Figure 1. Wireless instrumentation skid
Figure 2. Gateway trailer
offered, the pressure over time can be tracked allowing the
user to infer if there are plugged lines based on the relation-
ship between pressure and the flow rate. Another use of this
data can be to track the flushing efficiency of the lines. If a
process is often flushed to limit buildup, the pressure and
flow data can be monitored to ensure the lines are being
adequately flushed. Using data from the pressure transmit-
ter, the operator is also able to see if there is a leak in the
system. If a line disconnects or breaks, a drop in the pres-
sure can be seen because the fluid is no longer being pushed
through the line. With monitoring and alerts set, problems
can be identified and addressed in minutes.
NEW ADVANCEMENTS
With the success of the instrumentation skids have had on
the leach pads have had since 2013, Emerson and Caltrol
have made advancements in our offering with both engi-
neered solutions and overall technological advancements.
The first major advancement has been the implementa-
tion of wireless gateway trailers. With the wireless signal
from the leach pad acting like a moving target as each stack
increases the height of the pad, Caltrol has engineered a
gateway trailer that uses solar panels to provide power for
the wireless gateway. The trailer can be placed in a strategic
location on the leach pad to best gather information from
the devices and transmit the signal to the control system
via back haul radio. The major benefit of this is the ability
to move the wireless gateway with each stage to maintain
line of sight to the devices for the best possible wireless sig-
nal. With the solar panels and batteries on the pad, this
also opens the door to solutions like downhole monitoring
which can be used to ensure the safety and stability of the
operation.
Emerson has also made advancements in the techno-
logical capabilities of the devices. Each device uses a battery
that has seen 3-5 years of life depending on update rates and
the number of signals that are relayed through each device.
With advancements in battery technologies, Emerson will
be able to extend the expected life of the devices with some
of the current extended battery life options listed at 5-10
years depending on the application. This paired with the
newer 3051SMV pressure transmitter, that is used for both
the differential pressure flow and inline pressure measure-
ment, offers an unmatched solution with the high accuracy
paired with the lifetime of the device.
WirelessHART
Emerson’s devices utilize an open-source protocol called
WirelessHART. The WirelessHART solution has been
a successful solution due to the ability to precisely relay
multiple variables. Other wireless transmission systems
use radio waves to communicate their signal to the cloud
using a cellular signal or a local gateway. WirelessHART
has had success over these technologies due to a few main
factors. Internally, Emerson devices will scan the area
Figure 1. Wireless instrumentation skid
Figure 2. Gateway trailer