RFID in Explosion-Hazardous Areas: Three Examples from the Field by Pepperl+Fuchs

DCS RFID in Explosion Hazardous Areas Thee Exampels from the Field 1 400x275

September 13, 2022

RFID: Noncontact identification based on radio waves is considered a versatile technology and one of the keys to production environments based on the Industry 4.0 principle. The range of applications is by no means limited to discrete manufacturing—RFID is also becoming increasingly popular in process plants due to the ever more extensive requirements for marking product and work equipment. However, explosion protection requirements often have to be taken into account, because wherever flammable gases, vapors or dusts are generated, electrical equipment poses a significant safety risk. In this blog article, you will gain insight into three application examples that will help you understand the successful and safe use of RFID in hazardous areas.

1. Reliable Detection and Protection of Hose Connections Using RFID

DCS RFID in Explosion Hazardous Areas Thee Exampels from the Field 2 1024x724

RFID read/write heads are mounted at the hose station in the immediate vicinity of the respective hose coupling

Hoses are a universal work tool in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, used to transport liquids, granules and powders. It is critical for process integrity and safety, as well as quality assurance, that hoses are connected only to their intended endpoints and that this connection is made reliably. An incorrect or unestablished connection can lead to safety problems, production downtime, significant cleaning effort or damage to the equipment with high consequential costs.

DCS RFID in Explosion Hazardous Areas Thee Exampels from the Field 3 400x400

Such problems can be prevented with special RFID read/write heads in the “Ex m” type of protection (encapsulation). These devices, which are approved for applications up to ATEX Zones 1 and 21, are mounted at the hose station in the immediate vicinity of the respective hose coupling. An RFID tag attached to the hose carries the data relevant for identification, such as the hose number. Only after the control system has checked the correct assignment between hose and hose coupling does it release the subsequent process step.

RFID read/write head in “Ex m” type of protection

2. Convenient Hose Maintenance in Explosion-Hazardous Areas with RFID

DCS RFID in Explosion Hazardous Areas Thee Exampels from the Field 4 1024x724

Maintenance cycles for hoses must be adhered to in order to detect signs of wear and emerging cracks or leaks

Our second application example is also dedicated to hoses in process plants. After all, not only their correct connection is crucial for the safety of processes—at the same time, legally defined maintenance cycles must be adhered to in order to detect signs of wear and emerging cracks or leaks at an early stage. However, proper maintenance requires interrupting ongoing operations, shutting down the entire plant and removing the hoses to be checked. Plant operators are therefore keen to keep further inspection work to a minimum and therefore save additional time and costs.

DCS RFID in Explosion Hazardous Areas Thee Exampels from the Field 5 300x300

Pepperl+Fuchs offers an extremely convenient solution for this with its IoT subsidiary Neoception: Bluetooth® handhelds of the “Ident-Ex” type designed in the “Ex i” type of protection (intrinsic safety), in combination with a special software application, enable flexible hose testing in hazardous areas. With the help of the RFID handheld, the hose information (e.g., device number, test date/time or test pressure) is read out. Neoception’s integrated “hose manager” software documents the information and guides the tester step-by-step through each test. This ensures that no test step is forgotten and all results are recorded. These are then available in a report file and can be forwarded wirelessly to an ERP system. The user interface of the RFID handheld is designed to be easy to operate even when wearing gloves. In addition, mobile workers can use the handheld not only to record RFID tags, but also to read various 1-D and 2-D code symbologies.

RFID handheld in “Ex i” type of protection

3. Optimized Vehicle and Container Identification in Process Plants

DCS RFID in Explosion Hazardous Areas Thee Exampels from the Field 6 1024x724

RFID readers identify tags attached to tank and silo containers

Another area in which the use of RFID provides increased efficiency and safety is vehicle and driver identification in process plants. Already at the plant gate of a refinery, long-range UHF read/write heads can identify arriving vehicles and drivers without contact and check them for access authorizations and ADR tickets. This eliminates the need for drivers to leave their vehicles to make manual entries at a terminal. As a result, backlogs at peak times are avoided.

DCS RFID in Explosion Hazardous Areas Thee Exampels from the Field 7 400x400

Explosionproof variants of UHF read/write heads can also be used to optimize workflows at loading stations. These devices, which are installed in enclosures with “Ex d” type of protection (flameproof enclosure), identify RFID tags attached to tank and silo containers and verify, for example, whether the correct container has been placed at the associated loading station. If the matching via the control system is successful, the responsible employee immediately receives a notification. They can then dock the container and initiate the next process steps without downtime or waiting time.

RFID reader in “Ex d” type of protection enclosure

What Does Your Use Case Look Like?

Are you also considering the integration of RFID in your process plant? Like no other supplier on the market, Pepperl+Fuchs combines decades of experience in electrical explosion protection with equally comprehensive knowledge in the development of RFID systems. In addition to UHF, our portfolio also includes LF and HF technology as well as the option of connecting to Industrial Ethernet and almost all common fieldbuses.

More Information

HF RFID Read/Write Heads in Type of Protection “Ex m”

RFID Handhelds in Type of Protection “Ex i”

UHF RFID Read/Write Heads in Type of Protection “Ex d”

Neoception

Feel free to contact Pepperl+Fuchs if you need support in implementing an RFID system. Our experts look forward to your inquiry. Click here

Source

Related Articles


Changing Scene

  • Eaton Canada Welcomes Dino Alimonti as New Vice President of Sales

    Eaton Canada Welcomes Dino Alimonti as New Vice President of Sales

    Dino Alimonti has been selected as Vice President, Sales, Eaton Canada, effective July 1, 2023. In his new role, Dino will be responsible for leading, developing and executing sales strategies across key targeted industry segments. He will manage and direct the growth activities of the Sales and Channel teams as well as provide business and operational leadership to the sales teams and associated support functions. Read More…

  • Roberta Nelson Shea from Universal Robots Receives Prestigious Robotics Award for Contribution to Robot Safety

    Roberta Nelson Shea from Universal Robots Receives Prestigious Robotics Award for Contribution to Robot Safety

    For the second time within five years, a key figure at Universal Robots (UR), the Danish manufacturer of collaborative robots (cobots), has been awarded the world’s most prestigious robotics prize, the Joseph F. Engelberger Robotics Award, often described as the Nobel Prize of robotics. Following in the footsteps of UR’s co-founder Esben Østergaard, who was given the Engelberger Award in 2018 in the Technology category, Roberta Nelson Shea, UR’s Global Technical Compliance Officer received the award for Applications at a ceremony last night at the Automate Show in Detroit. Read More…


Sponsored Content
The Easy Way to the Industrial IoT

The way to the Industrial IoT does not have to be complicated. Whether access to valuable data is required or new, data-driven services are to be generated, Weidmuller enables its customers to go from data to value the easy way. Weidmuller’s comprehensive and cutting-edge IIoT portfolio applies to greenfield and brownfield applications. Weidmuller offers components and solutions from data acquisition, data pre-processing, data communication and data analysis.

Visit Weidmuller’s Industrial IoT Portfolio.


For a Multiplied Value Unified

PB-62-Excelpro-MultipliedValue-400.jpg

During the last few years, the Excelpro Group has welcomed AIA Automation, Envitech Automation and Conrad Lavoie Electrical, all of which have become ‘Member of the Excelpro Group’.

It was with great excitement that in November of 2022, Excelpro announced that these three companies officially became Excelpro. This decision is part of a strategy to enhance the Excelpro Group’s brand in its market.

These companies already collaborate on various client projects. This merger brings together the complementary strengths of the employees and ensures a global synergy of the activities throughout the Group.

Read More


Service Wire Co. Announces New Titles for Key Executives

Bruce Kesler and Mark Gatewood have been given new titles and responsibilities for Service Wire Co.

Bruce Kesler has assumed the role of Senior Director – Business Development. Bruce will be responsible for Service Wire’s largest strategic accounts and our growing Strategic Accounts Team.

Mark Gatewood has been promoted to the role of Vice President – Sales & Marketing. In this role, Gatewood will lead the efforts of Service Wire Company’s entire sales and marketing organization in all market verticals.

Read More


Tri-Mach Announces the Purchase of an Additional 45,000 sq ft. Facility

Tri-Mach Elmira Facility

Recently, Tri-Mach Inc. was thrilled to announce the addition of a new 45,000 sq ft. facility. Located at 285 Union St., Elmira, ON, this facility expands Tri-Mach’s capabilities, allowing them to better serve the growing needs of their customers.

Positioning for growth, this additional facility will allow Tri-Mach to continue taking on large-scale projects, enhance product performance testing, and provide equipment storage for their customers. The building will also be the new home to their Skilled Trades Centre of Excellence.

Read More


JMP Parent Company, CONVERGIX Acquires AGR Automation, Expanding Global Reach

Convergix Automation Solutions has completed the acquisition of AGR Automation (“AGR”), a UK-based provider of custom, high-performance automation design and systems integration primarily to the life sciences industry.

Following Convergix’s acquisitions of JMP Solutions in August 2021 and Classic Design in February 2022, AGR marks the third investment in Crestview’s strategy to build Convergix into a diversified automation solutions provider targeting the global $500+ billion market, with a particular focus on the $70 billion global systems integration and connectivity segments. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Read More


Latest Articles

  • Emerson Helps Optimize Innovative Recycling Process That Increases Sustainability of Waste-to-Energy Industry

    Emerson Helps Optimize Innovative Recycling Process That Increases Sustainability of Waste-to-Energy Industry

    Emerson is helping the Swedish cleantech company HaloSep to optimize their unique process that turns hazardous incinerator flue gas residue from waste-to-energy plants into usable materials. Emerson’s control technology and software is being deployed at HaloSep’s plant for optimization, research and technology (PORT) in Gothenburg, Sweden, to manage an innovative chemical separation process that recovers valuable salt, metals and minerals from fly ash. Read More…

  • Efficient Power Supplies – An Investment in the Future

    Efficient Power Supplies – An Investment in the Future

    In the search for a suitable power supply, the costs play a major role, alongside the technical requirements. The focus is often on the initial purchase price, while other potential costs that may be incurred during the operation of the power supply are not taken into consideration. In this blog post, we demonstrate why the decision to purchase a high-quality power supply is a profitable investment for your company, by taking a close look at all the costs involved. Read More…