Dual ethernet communication board adds connectivity to gas flow measurement computer

The SFC3000 flow computer from Ex-i Gas Flow Measurement Ltd has been improved by introducing a Dual Ethernet Board, adding external connectivity and supplying integration into more complex measurement and control systems.

The addition of a Dual Ethernet board delivers a widely used communication interface to the flow computer and galvanically isolated serial ports. Ethernet and serial ports can communicate with Ultrasonic and Coriolis Meters, Gas Chromatographs and other analysers, printers, DCS, and other supervisory systems. If security allows, Ethernet ports can also be used for internet interfacing, remote displays, and remote configuration. Serial ports can also be used for redundancy (duty/standby flow computers).

The board has two ethernet ports, three isolated serial ports with RS232 and RS485, and 1 with RTS/CTS hardware flow control for legacy line printers.

Designed to meet the requirements of the worldwide liquid hydrocarbon and gas flow measurement markets, the flow computer has been created to positively contribute to the management and conservation of the world’s dwindling energy resources by delivering versatile and accurate measurements and incorporating state-of-the-art designs and components.

The computer is a highly versatile measuring device capable of operating in a standalone single-stream flow measurement system or may be configured to provide a multi-stream measurement solution for gas flow. Using an SFC3000 to make multiple sample point measurements can save cost by enabling a single emissions analyser to make sequential measurements from many different sample points.

With additional I/O option boards, the number of streams measured by the flow computer can be increased to five. While multiple streams can be on a single I/O board, fiscal measurements require one stream per board. If more than five streams are needed, they can be spread over more than one flow computer, and the data can be collated together using the device's supervisor features.

The SFC3000 provides a great deal more than a conventional dedicated flow computer. It can operate on several levels, from a supervisory machine to a standalone flow computer or as a system component. Featuring a touchscreen VGA display and extensive processing capabilities, combined with simple-to-use controls and unique operating software, it can function as a complete station supervisor integrated into a flow computer housing.