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Smart Monitoring for Chemical & Process Industries — ATEX-Certified Safety, Quality, and Compliance

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Quick Overview

Problem

Chemical, petrochemical, and process industries operate with flammable gases, corrosive solvents, and demanding quality standards. Any leak, deviation, or contamination event can lead to production loss or regulatory penalties.

Solution

Sensa.io offers ATEX-certified wireless sensors for pressure, differential pressure, temperature, vibration, valve position, and acoustic monitoring — ensuring process stability, product quality, and safety compliance.

Value

↑ Process reliability • ↓ Maintenance cost (−30 %) • ROI < 12 months

ATEX

Zones 0–2 • Ex ia IIC T4 Gb certified for chemical, solvent, and process environments

The Process Industry Challenge

Chemical and process plants manage complex production networks: reactors, filtration units, mixers, utilities, and cleanrooms.

Operators must balance safety, product consistency, and regulatory compliance while dealing with volatile or explosive compounds.

Challenges include:

  • Undetected leaks or overpressure in solvent or gas lines.
  • Clogged filters affecting flow or purity.
  • Manual inspections in hazardous or clean areas.
  • Compliance with GMP, ISO, and ATEX standards simultaneously.

Sensa.io sensors give operators real-time visibility into every stage of production — safely, wirelessly, and without disrupting existing systems.

Why ATEX and Continuous Monitoring Are Essential 🔥 ATEX

Chemical plants are full of potential ignition sources: motors, valves, sensors, and control wiring.

Under ATEX and IECEx regulations, even low-energy devices must be intrinsically safe.

sensors are designed for hazardous areas, eliminating the need for extra wiring or explosion-proof enclosures.

They allow continuous monitoring of temperature, pressure, vibration, and acoustic signals — ensuring safety and compliance in Zone 0 to Zone 2 areas.

A single hour of downtime in a batch reactor can cost €50,000–€100,000 in lost production and waste.

Core Use Cases for

Chemical & Process Industries

Use Case
Sensor Type
ATEX
ROI/Value
Solvent Tank Pressure & Temperature Monitoring (Storage Safety & Compliance) — ATEX
Pressure
Temperature

Prevents overpressure & explosions

Dust Filtration ΔP Monitoring (Baghouse Performance & Explosion Risk Reduction) — ATEX
Differential Pressure (ΔP)

Compliance, maintenance planning

Steam Temperature Control (Process Heating, Food & Beverage Safety)
Temperature

Food safety & efficiency

Pump & Agitator Vibration Monitoring (Predictive Maintenance & Asset Protection)
Vibration

Avoids unplanned downtime

Relief Valve Acoustic Monitoring (Early Leakage & Safety Compliance) — ATEX
Acoustic

Detects stuck valves, compliance

Reactor Temperature Monitoring (Batch Control & Product Quality) — ATEX
Temperature

Quality control, energy efficiency

Cleanroom ΔP & Air Quality Monitoring (GMP & Contamination Control)
Differential Pressure (ΔP)
Temperature

GMP compliance

Process Filtration ΔP Monitoring (Predictive Maintenance & Product Quality) — ATEX
Differential Pressure (ΔP)

Predictive maintenance

Solvent Pressure Monitoring & Leak Detection (Process Safety & Compliance) — ATEX
Pressure
Acoustic

Safety, regulatory compliance

Reactor Valve Position Monitoring (Process Safety & Traceability) — ATEX
Valve position

Safety & traceability

Reactor Valve Position Monitoring (Process Safety & Traceability) — ATEX

Solvent Pressure Monitoring & Leak Detection (Process Safety & Compliance) — ATEX

Process Filtration ΔP Monitoring (Predictive Maintenance & Product Quality) — ATEX

Cleanroom ΔP & Air Quality Monitoring (GMP & Contamination Control)

Reactor Temperature Monitoring (Batch Control & Product Quality) — ATEX

Relief Valve Acoustic Monitoring (Early Leakage & Safety Compliance) — ATEX

Pump & Agitator Vibration Monitoring (Predictive Maintenance & Asset Protection)

Steam Temperature Control (Process Heating, Food & Beverage Safety)

Dust Filtration ΔP Monitoring (Baghouse Performance & Explosion Risk Reduction) — ATEX

Solvent Tank Pressure & Temperature Monitoring (Storage Safety & Compliance) — ATEX

Vibration
Acoustic
Differential Pressure (ΔP)
Temperature
Pressure
Valve position
Use Case Sensor Type ATEX ROI/Value

How Sensa.io Technology Works

Open Wireless Architecture

Sensa.io sensors are gateway-agnostic, connecting via LoRaWAN, MQTT, or Modbus to any SCADA or DCS — including Honeywell, Emerson, ABB, Siemens, or Schneider systems.

They eliminate wiring in hazardous zones and integrate directly with existing automation infrastructure.

Sensor Engineering
  • Intrinsically safe (Ex ia) electronics for Zone 0–2.
  • Stainless-steel or Hastelloy construction resistant to solvents and acids.
  • IP68-rated enclosures for washdown and cleanroom compatibility.
  • 10-year autonomous operation with adaptive transmission.
  • Accuracy: Pressure ±0.1 % FS | Temperature ±0.2 °C | ΔP ±0.25 % FS.

Data Analytics
  • ΔP and pressure trends detect clogging and flow restrictions.
  • Vibration analysis predicts pump, agitator, or compressor failures.
  • Temperature monitoring ensures process consistency.
  • Acoustic sensors identify leaks or valve malfunctions.

All data are encrypted (AES-128) and available in real time via SCADA or cloud dashboards.

Proven ROI and Field Results

Operators who deployed Sensa.io in upstream fields typically achieved:

30–35 %
Maintenance costs reduced
5–10 % through better control
Energy savings
20 %
Downtime reduced
Case Example

Acoustic & Vibration Detection of Rockfall or Structural Movement (Early Warning & Worker Protection)

Early warning to protect workers underground

Case Example

Gas Vent Line Acoustic & Pressure Anomaly Detection (Methane Hazard Early Warning)

Early detection of dangerous methane releases

Payback: typically < 12 months depending on scope.
Get the ROI Calculator for Upstream Operations

ATEX Compliance and Safety

All Sensa.io sensors for upstream operations comply with:

  • Ex II 2 G Ex ia IIC T4 Gb (Gas Zones 0–1)
  • Ex ia IIIC T135 °C Db (Dust Zones 20–21)
  • IECEx and ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU
  • GMP / FDA / ISO 17025 traceability for pharma and food-grade applications

Each unit includes a Declaration of Conformity, calibration certificate, and validation report for audit documentation.

FAQ - Common Questions

Are Sensa.io sensors compatible with any gateway or network?

Yes, they connect to any LoRaWAN or MQTT infrastructure (Kerlink, Cisco, Milesight, MultiTech, etc.) for flexible integration with existing SCADA systems.

What ATEX certifications apply to Sensa.io devices?

All hazardous-area models are certified Ex II 2 G Ex ia IIC T4 Gb and IECEx approved for Zones 0–2.

What is the typical battery life?

Up to 10 years at 15-minute intervals, depending on signal strength and environment.

How are the sensors integrated into existing systems?

Through standard protocols — LoRaWAN, Modbus, MQTT, REST API — no proprietary middleware needed.

How does predictive maintenance reduce OPEX?

Early anomaly detection reduces emergency interventions by 30–40 %, extends equipment life and lowers energy costs.

General & Functionality

What is the typical ROI when deploying sensors in upstream production?

Depending on asset criticality and scope, operators generally achieve payback within 6 to 12 months, driven by reduced downtime, lower maintenance overhead, and improved safety compliance.

How are calibration and maintenance handled in ATEX zones?

Sensors are factory-calibrated and include internal digital calibration tables. No field recalibration is required for 5–10 years; visual inspection every 3 years is sufficient.

How are data transmissions secured in remote fields?

All data packets are encrypted end-to-end with AES-128, and communication can run over private LoRaWAN or VPN-secured 4G networks. This guarantees industrial-grade cybersecurity and compliance with IT/OT segmentation policies.

Can Sensa.io sensors monitor hydrate or wax formation in flowlines?

Yes. Temperature sensors placed along the flowline detect critical cooling patterns leading to hydrate or wax build-up. Real-time data allows proactive heating or chemical injection, avoiding costly blockages.

How does acoustic leak detection work in upstream applications?

Acoustic sensors detect high-frequency sound anomalies generated by gas or fluid leaks. When combined with pressure readings, they localise the leak within ±10 m, reducing detection time from hours to minutes.

Can sensors remain active during well interventions or shutdowns?

Yes. Thanks to intrinsically safe (Ex ia) design, sensors can operate continuously in Zone 0 even during interventions, without hot-work permits or risk of ignition.

How do pressure sensors resist sand abrasion and high vibration in wellheads?

Each pressure module uses 316L stainless-steel diaphragms and vibration-proof electronics (rated up to 20 g RMS) with conformal coating. This ensures long-term stability in abrasive and high-shock environments typical of wellhead zones.

How does predictive maintenance with Sensa.io actually reduce OPEX?

By analysing vibration, pressure, or ΔP trends, the system detects anomalies before they escalate. This reduces emergency interventions by 30–40 %, extends equipment lifetime, and lowers energy consumption by 10–15 %.

How can Sensa.io sensors be integrated into our SCADA or DCS system?

Integration is immediate through standard industrial protocols: LoRaWAN, Modbus RTU/TCP, MQTT, or REST API. Data can feed directly into Honeywell, Emerson, Schneider, or ABB SCADA platforms without middleware.

How long do the batteries last in upstream operations?

Up to 10 years depending on the transmission interval and signal quality. The adaptive power management system automatically adjusts the sending frequency according to the measured parameter’s variability.

What ATEX certifications cover Sensa.io sensors?

All hazardous-area models are certified Ex II 2 G Ex ia IIC T4 Gb (Gas Zones 0–2) and Ex ia IIIC T135°C Db (Dust Zones 20–21). They are also IECEx approved and comply with the European Directive 2014/34/EU.

Are Sensa.io sensors compatible with any LoRaWAN gateway or network?

Yes. Sensa.io sensors are fully gateway-agnostic and connect seamlessly to any LoRaWAN or MQTT-compatible infrastructure — including Kerlink, Cisco, Milesight, MultiTech, or private industrial networks. This ensures flexible integration with existing SCADA or IoT systems.

Specific Technical Questions/

Chemical & Process Industries

What is the expected ROI for chemical or pharmaceutical deployments?

Typically between 6 and 12 months, depending on plant size and number of monitored assets.

Are sensors compatible with food and beverage processes?

Yes, food-grade materials and hygienic fittings are available for CIP/SIP systems.

How are dust or powder explosion risks monitored?

ΔP sensors monitor filter performance; ATEX-certified electronics prevent ignition even in high-dust environments.

Can acoustic sensors detect small gas leaks?

Yes, ultrasonic detection identifies leaks as small as 0.1 L/min, even in ventilated areas.

How is calibration traceability ensured?

Every sensor includes ISO 17025 calibration certificates with traceable serialised data.

Are sensors suitable for cleanroom or GMP areas?

Yes — IP68 enclosures allow wipe-down cleaning; data is 21 CFR Part 11 compliant for audit trails.

How do sensors handle aggressive solvents or acids?

316L or Hastelloy bodies with PTFE gaskets resist most industrial solvents, acids, and bases; optional coatings available for chlorinated compounds.

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