Petrochemical Industry Overview
The petrochemical industry is a bedrock of modern life. It not only supplies the various fuels that power the transportation sector, but also produces a myriad of other essential raw materials: plastics, medicines, lubricants, synthetic rubbers, and synthetic fibers – to name just a few.
The two most common petrochemical processes are:
- Separation of hydrocarbon fractions by boiling and condensing a hydrocarbon feedstock in a distillation tower.
- Production of olefins (ethylene, propylene, etc.) and aromatics (benzene, toluene, xylene, etc.) from heavy hydrocarbon fractions in a cracking reactor.
Both processes rely on heating a feedstock, usually in the presence of a catalyst to boost the chemical reaction.
Application Examples
Distillation and hydrocracking require very specific temperature, pressure, and flow conditions. In addition, closely monitoring these processes can prevent hot spots, thermal runaways, catalyst maldistributions, channeling in the catalyst bed, and other costly problems. Furnace condition monitoring is an especially important step during an economic downturn, when lower throughputs of heavier feedstock can accelerate coking and fouling.
For optimal performance, a petrochemical plant routinely measures temperature, pressure, flow, and level at different points in the following equipment:
- Distillation columns
- Steam crackers
- Reformer furnaces
Safety Standards and Certifications
The petrochemical industry’s various processes are, to say the least, challenging. For example, distillation and cracking require extremely high temperatures. Feedstocks, intermediate products, and end products are flammable and/or corrosive.
Therefore, measuring instruments must be equal to the challenge. WIKA’s solutions for pressure, temperature, level, and flow meet the rigorous standards of national and international authorizing bodies. Our products for the petrochemical industry fulfill NACE compliance and ATEX requirements, and come with a wide range of certifications, such as FM Approval.
Instrumentation for the Petrochemical Industry
Many factors go into choosing measuring instruments for your petrochemical facility.
- The basics are the desired accuracy, measuring range, and working pressure and temperature.
- The material is crucial, as aggressive media call for instruments to be made of stainless steel or other corrosion-resistant alloys.
- To further protect instruments from harsh media or strong vibrations, pair a pressure gauge with a diaphragm seal or a temperature sensor with a thermowell.
- For processes or working conditions prone to explosions, choose an intrinsically safe or explosion-proof pressure sensor.
WIKA USA offers a complete portfolio of temperature, pressure, flow, and level instruments for the petrochemical industry.
- Temperature – thermocouples, RTDs, thermowells
- Pressure – mechanical gauges, digital gauges, pressure sensors/transmitters, process transmitters, diaphragm seals
- Level – magnetostrictive, optoelectronic, and float switches, bypass level indicators
- Flow – orifice plates, Venturi nozzles, Pitot tubes, flow switches
We have other specialized solutions for petrochemical applications, such as furnace tubeskin thermocouples, multipoint sensor flexible assemblies, and diaphragm monitoring systems.
WIKA USA: A one-stop shop for the petrochemical industry
WIKA is more than just an instrument manufacturer. We offer a range of field services, from installations and repairs to safety testing, regardless of the instrument brand. As an ISO 9001 registered company, WIKA also has a Calibration & Service Center accredited by A2LA (American Association for Laboratory Accreditation).
Quality products, a worldwide network, and superb customer service are what make WIKA a leading supplier of measuring instrumentation. See our Refinery Roadmap for an interactive look at where WIKA products are used in the petrochemical industry, and contact us for expert advice on how to help your facility operate more safely and efficiently.
WIKA has been active in the contractor business for more than 25 years. Together with international engineering companies we realise large projects all over the world being more than simply a reliable supplier of high-quality measuring instruments: We develop - together with you - products and solutions made custom-fit to your requirements.
During all phases of the project WIKA remains your competent partner: Starting with planning in the basic and detail engineering, through realisation and implementation of the project, all the way to the after-sales support.
WIKA USA, part of your petrochemical business
Our success and reputation are built on three factors: a wide and innovative product range, comprehensive services, and a global presence with employees committed to your success. Make WIKA USA part of your petrochemical business.
