Burner Fuel Pressure & Temperature Monitoring (Heaters & Boilers Performance & Safety) — ATEX

Improves combustion efficiency, safety

Pressure

Temperature

Quick Overview

Problem

Refinery heaters and boilers rely on stable fuel pressure and temperature to ensure safe combustion. Pressure drops, overheating, or unstable fuel conditions can cause flame instability, efficiency losses, emissions exceedances, or safety shutdowns in ATEX-classified areas.

Solution

SENSAiO’s ATEX-certified pressure and temperature sensors provide continuous, wireless monitoring of burner fuel lines, enabling real-time detection of abnormal conditions and safer combustion control.

Value

Improved combustion stability • Reduced safety trips • Lower fuel consumption • Enhanced compliance

ATEX

Zones 0–2 • Ex ia IIC T4 Gb certified pressure & temperature sensors

The Operational Challenge

Downstream refineries operate multiple fired heaters and boilers for:

  • Crude and product heating
  • Steam generation
  • Process temperature control

These systems depend on precise fuel conditions.


Typical operational challenges include:

  • Fuel pressure fluctuations causing flame instability
  • Fuel temperature deviations affecting viscosity and atomisation
  • Fouled burners increasing pressure drop
  • Valve or regulator malfunction
  • Delayed detection of unsafe combustion conditions

Traditional monitoring approaches often rely on:

  • Centralised pressure transmitters with limited coverage
  • Periodic manual checks
  • Burner trips after flame instability occurs

Such methods may detect issues after combustion efficiency has already degraded or safety systems have tripped.

Why Fuel Pressure & Temperature Monitoring Matters

Fuel pressure and temperature directly influence combustion quality.

Continuous monitoring enables operators to:

  • Detect pressure drops indicating regulator or filter issues
  • Identify abnormal fuel heating or cooling
  • Maintain stable flame conditions
  • Reduce incomplete combustion and excess emissions

Stable combustion improves:

  • Heater efficiency
  • Fuel utilisation
  • Equipment lifetime
  • Compliance with emission limits

In ATEX environments, remote monitoring also reduces operator exposure near hot and hazardous equipment.

SENSAiO Solution

SENSAiO delivers a wireless, intrinsically safe fuel monitoring solution for refinery heaters and boilers.

Core Components

Pressure Sensor (ATEX Ex ia IIC T4 Gb)

High-accuracy pressure monitoring on burner fuel supply lines.

Temperature Sensor

Monitors fuel temperature upstream of burners to detect abnormal conditions affecting combustion.

Wireless Communication

Supports LoRaWAN, Modbus, and MQTT, enabling integration with refinery SCADA and burner management systems.

Installation & Power

Battery-powered threaded or clamp-on installation allows rapid retrofit without heater shutdown.

Operational Benefits

  • Early detection of unstable combustion conditions
  • Reduced burner trips and shutdowns
  • Improved heater efficiency
  • Enhanced operational safety

Results and ROI

Metric Before After
Combustion stability Variable Stable
Safety trips Frequent Reduced
Fuel efficiency Suboptimal Improved
Manual checks Frequent Reduced

ATEX Compliance and Safety

All sensors for burner fuel monitoring comply with:

  • Ex II 2 G Ex ia IIC T4 Gb (Zones 0–2)
  • IECEx certification
  • ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU

The intrinsically safe design supports installation on live heaters and boilers without shutdown, ensuring safe operation in explosive atmospheres.

Integration and compatibility

Protocols

LoRaWAN, Modbus RTU/TCP, MQTT, REST API

Systems

SCADA, burner management systems (BMS), energy platforms

Vendors

Honeywell, ABB, Emerson, Schneider

Cybersecurity

AES-128 encrypted communication with secure transport

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.

What does the Sensa.io Valve Position Sensor actually measure?

The device detects real-time valve position states—open, closed, or intermediate—with high accuracy. It continuously sends this information wirelessly to your monitoring dashboard.

Can this sensor detect partial valve movement or stuck valves?

Yes. The sensor identifies irregular patterns such as partial movement, delayed response, or stuck valves, enabling early maintenance before failure occurs.

Is this sensor suitable for manual, motorized, and actuated valves?

Yes. It supports a wide range of valve types including ball, gate, butterfly, actuator-driven, and manual valves.

How fast does it update the valve position?

You can configure the reporting interval—from seconds to minutes—depending on your operational and battery needs.

How long does installation take?

Most installations take under 10 minutes. The sensor mounts using brackets or clamps without modifying existing valves.

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