Moving into a green future thanks to modern positioners

© By upgrading to modern positioners, companies can reduce their compressed air consumption, optimise control accuracy and improve the overall performance of their plants - all while working towards a more sustainable future. (Source: Siemens)

The introduction of sustainable processes as well as the reduction of environmental impact are important challenges that the process industry has to meet. Innovative technologies, such as advanced positioners for control valves, can address both efficiency and environmental responsibility: by switching from pneumatic or electro-pneumatic actuators to digital positioners, industrial companies can significantly reduce energy consumption. In addition, control accuracy can be improved and plant performance increased.

Compressed air is an easily accessible form of energy that is easy to distribute and use. However, as a transmission medium and energy storage, it is very expensive compared to other forms of energy. Nevertheless, pneumatic actuators are very popular due to their affordability, responsiveness, flexibility and suitability for explosive environments. They require a continuous supply of compressed air of appropriate quality. Much of the energy consumed by industrial electric motors is used to generate compressed air, and the energy required by compressors accounts for the majority of compressed air costs.

Economical positioners

Pneumatic actuators are often used as part of a control valve to provide the force to move the stem and thus change the valve position: The pneumatic actuator acts as an actuator for the control valve, providing precise and responsive control of the flow. Positioners control the actuator to open, close or move the valve to a specific position. They are an important link between the control system and the valves and contribute to the reliability and performance of automated process plants. To operate them, they require compressed air, which on the one hand is an expensive source of energy and on the other causes significant CO2 emissions. The demand for higher energy efficiency of the plants therefore goes hand in hand with the minimisation of compressed air consumption.

Some Siemens positioners are designed to provide unparalleled precision and sustainability for the process industry. Their design significantly reduces the use of compressed air, resulting in considerable energy savings and lower CO2 emissions. The Sipart product provides precise valve position feedback, and the positioners minimise compressed air consumption in stationary operation. In addition, the Fast Open/Fast Close function for a defined approach to the end position with fast response to new setpoint specifications also reduces the consumption of compressed air and contributes to more sustainable industrial production. The air consumption of a Sipart PS2 in controlled mode is 0.01 standard cubic metres per hour (equivalent to 0.006 standard cubic feet per minute).

Higher performance, better reliability

Compressed air reduction through positioners from Siemens helps plant operators meet increasingly stringent environmental regulations. Less compressed air means less energy and thus a smaller CO2 footprint. At the same time, the positioners contribute to improved plant performance through extensive diagnostic functions.

© Sipart positioners offer a comprehensive solution for the process industry's sustainability requirements. Due to the low compressed air consumption in stationary operation, considerably less energy is consumed. (Source: Siemens)

The integrated diagnostic options of the positioners allow comprehensive monitoring of the valve and provide valuable information about its performance and condition. Operators can use the collected diagnostic data to draw conclusions about the valve's friction, hysteresis or possible leaks. This facilitates the early detection of potential problems and enables plannable and timely maintenance.

The Sipart PS2 positioner has advanced diagnostic functions and offers extensive monitoring functions to detect and report changes in the actuator. These functions include recording the integral travel, the number of directional changes, the end position of the process valve, etc. Its diagnostic cockpit provides relevant data and KPIs, while its three-stage alarm concept via the control system enables early detection and prevention of potential faults. Through the predictive maintenance strategies that can be derived from this, these functions help to increase plant safety and availability. -availability. Additional diagnostic tools such as Valve Signature and Partial Stroke Test make even more targeted predictive maintenance possible and increase the efficiency of valve control and safety applications.

Precise valve control anywhere in the world

Designed for ease of use, the Sipart PS100 positioner with its simple push-button initialisation is a user-friendly yet powerful solution for basic applications. Sipart PS2 is an intelligent and versatile device that can be expanded with additional functions at any time, offering maximum flexibility. In addition to reducing energy consumption and CO2 emissions, the positioners offer excellent control accuracy, resulting in improved process stability and reduced fluctuations.

Thanks to their universal compatibility, they can be used in all industrial fittings, applications and environments. Worldwide certifications and approvals ensure compliance with global industry standards. With numerous features for flexible application and precise valve control, they offer an adaptable and reliable solution for different process requirements.

Commitment to a sustainable future

Against a backdrop of increasing environmental demands, the Sipart PS100 and PS2 positioners offer a pioneering solution for greener process control. By using these innovative devices, plants around the world can effectively reduce their environmental footprint and work towards achieving global sustainability goals. Their negligible compressed air consumption significantly reduces energy consumption and thus sustainably lowers greenhouse gas emissions, while their superior control accuracy and advanced features contribute to greater efficiency, safety and reliability. The diagnostic capabilities of the positioners play a crucial role in ensuring smooth plant operation, while contributing to performance increases and long-term cost savings.