Compressor Vibration & ΔP Filtration Monitoring (FPSO Process Reliability) — ATEX

Predictive maintenance, uptime ↑

Vibration

Differential Pressure (ΔP)

Quick Overview

Problem

Offshore compressors are mission-critical assets on FPSOs and platforms. Progressive mechanical degradation and filter clogging often go undetected until performance drops, trips occur, or safety margins are compromised in ATEX-classified zones.

Solution

SENSAiO’s ATEX-certified vibration and differential pressure (ΔP) sensors provide continuous monitoring of compressor health and filtration condition, enabling predictive maintenance and stable offshore operations.

Value

Reduced unplanned trips • Improved compressor availability • Lower maintenance OPEX • Enhanced safety

ATEX

Zones 0–2 • Ex ia IIC T4 Gb certified vibration & ΔP sensors

The Operational Challenge

Compressors on FPSOs and offshore platforms are used for:

  • Gas compression and export
  • Gas lift and reinjection
  • Fuel gas supply
  • Process and utility services

These systems operate under:

  • Continuous duty cycles
  • Variable pressure and flow conditions
  • High vibration and mechanical stress
  • Limited maintenance access offshore

Two major degradation drivers are often linked:

Mechanical degradation

  • Bearing wear and lubrication issues
  • Rotor imbalance and misalignment
  • Surge or unstable operating regimes

Filtration degradation

  • Suction filter clogging
  • Discharge filter fouling
  • Progressive pressure losses affecting efficiency

Traditional monitoring typically relies on:

  • Periodic vibration surveys
  • Local ΔP gauges checked manually
  • Compressor trips as the first failure indicator

This reactive approach leads to avoidable downtime and costly offshore interventions.

Why Combined Vibration & ΔP Monitoring Matters

Vibration and differential pressure together provide a complete picture of compressor health.

Continuous vibration monitoring enables operators to:

  • Detect bearing wear and imbalance early
  • Identify surge-related vibration patterns
  • Monitor mechanical stability under load changes

Continuous ΔP monitoring enables operators to:

  • Detect progressive filter clogging
  • Prevent suction starvation or discharge restriction
  • Maintain stable compressor performance

By correlating vibration trends with ΔP evolution, operators can distinguish mechanical faults from process-induced issues, enabling faster and more accurate diagnosis.

SENSAiO Solution

SENSAiO delivers a wireless, intrinsically safe compressor monitoring solution combining vibration and filtration condition monitoring.

Core Components

Vibration Sensor (ATEX Ex ia IIC T4 Gb)

Measures acceleration, velocity, and frequency spectra to detect early mechanical faults.

Differential Pressure Sensor (ATEX Ex ia IIC T4 Gb)

Monitors pressure drop across suction or discharge filters to identify fouling trends.

Wireless Communication

Supports LoRaWAN, Modbus, and MQTT, enabling integration with offshore SCADA, CMMS, and reliability platforms.

Installation & Power

Battery-powered, clamp-on or threaded installation — no cabling or shutdown required.

Operational Benefits

  • Early detection of compressor mechanical faults
  • Prevention of performance loss due to filter clogging
  • Reduced emergency shutdowns
  • Optimised offshore maintenance planning

Results and ROI

Metric Before After
Fault detection Late Early
Compressor trips Frequent Reduced
Maintenance planning Reactive Predictive
Asset availability Variable Improved

ATEX Compliance and Safety

All sensors for offshore compressor 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 allows safe deployment in explosive offshore environments without shutdown.

Integration and compatibility

Protocols

LoRaWAN, Modbus RTU/TCP, MQTT, REST API

Systems

SCADA, CMMS, asset performance management

Vendors

Honeywell, ABB, Emerson, Siemens

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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