Solvay Solexis in Alessandria, Italy, has specified Emerson’s Micro Motion Coriolis flowmeters throughout its Spinetta Marengo plant for the accurate and reliable measurement of mass flow. Solvay Solexis is part of the Solvay Group, a worldwide leader in fluor chemistry, manufacturing innovative fluorinated products for speciality markets. Solvay is a 145-year-old Belgian group, with 400 production sites, 28,000 employees and a total income of US$ 14 billion (9.82 billion Euros).
The Spinetta Marengo site, which is dedicated to the production of fluoride polymers, has over 200 flow measurement points, and over 75 per cent of these applications have Micro Motion Coriolis meters installed addressing special challenges. Micro Motion ELITE, F-Series and Model D Coriolis flowmeters have been implemented in critical areas and extreme conditions, including cryogenic applications and the dosing of fluoridric acids.
Micro Motion Coriolis flowmeters have been used at the site for over 20 years and this has enabled comparisons to be made with similar products installed under the same operating conditions. The Micro Motion results are excellent, showing a reduction in commissioning costs of 75 per cent. In addition, the reliability of the measurements has reduced process deviation, cutting the risk of producing out of specification product by 90 per cent. Because Micro Motion Coriolis meters have no moving parts, maintenance costs are 95 per cent lower. These factors together have enabled an overall economic improvement of 1 per cent at the plant.
“We have evaluated Coriolis instruments from six manufacturers, but only Emerson’s Micro Motion product provides a complete range of benefits,” said Giuliano Caramaschi, Instrument Manager at the Solvay Solexis Spinetta Marengo site. “Our experience shows that Micro Motion flowmeters out perform all others across the entire life of the instrument.” Examples of the outstanding performance of the Micro Motion flowmeters include D Series Tefzel coated meters installed in the hydrofluoric acid lines. Tefzel is highly resistant to hydrofluoric acid and these devices have been installed in this aggressive environment for over 4 years. During this time there have not been any reported problems. A further example of the accuracy of the Micro Motion ELITE sensors is that they are used as a mass flow reference for on-site calibration of other mass flow meters.
“Working with Emerson, the established leaders in Coriolis flow measurement, has provided Solvay Solexis with innovative and reliable mass flow measurement products,” continued Giuliano Caramaschi. “Emerson’s products and technologies have helped Solvay maintain its worldwide position as the leader of innovative fluorinated products for speciality markets.”
