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

Safety, regulatory compliance

Pressure

Acoustic

Quick Overview

Problem

Solvents used in chemical and process industries are often flammable, toxic, or volatile. Undetected pressure deviations or small leaks can lead to safety incidents, product losses, environmental non-compliance, and costly shutdowns—especially in ATEX-classified areas. Manual inspections are infrequent and expose personnel to risk.

Solution

Sensa.io’s ATEX-certified pressure sensors, combined with optional acoustic detection, provide continuous monitoring of solvent lines and vessels to detect pressure anomalies and leaks in real time.

Value

Improved process safety • Reduced solvent losses • Regulatory compliance • Lower inspection effort

ATEX

Zones 0–2 • Ex ia IIC T4 Gb certified pressure (and acoustic) sensors

The Operational Challenge

Solvents are widely used in process industries for:

  • Chemical synthesis and reactions
  • Extraction and separation processes
  • Cleaning-in-place (CIP) and flushing operations
  • Storage and transfer between units

These solvents often present multiple hazards:

  • High flammability
  • Toxic vapours
  • Environmental contamination risk

Typical operational challenges include:

  • Slow detection of small leaks on transfer lines
  • Pressure fluctuations caused by blockages or valve malfunction
  • Limited instrumentation on secondary or legacy lines
  • Manual patrols in hazardous ATEX zones

Consequences of inadequate monitoring can be severe:

  • Fire or explosion risk
  • Product loss and contamination
  • Regulatory penalties and reporting obligations
  • Unplanned production shutdowns

Traditional approaches relying on periodic checks leave long blind spots.

Why Continuous Pressure & Leak Monitoring Matters

Pressure is a primary indicator of process integrity in solvent handling systems.

Continuous monitoring enables operators to:

  • Detect abnormal pressure drops indicating leaks
  • Identify overpressure conditions before relief events
  • Correlate pressure changes with valve or pump behaviour
  • Detect micro-leaks long before they become visible

When combined with acoustic monitoring, even very small solvent leaks can be detected early—reducing risk and loss.

Sensa.io Solution

Sensa.io delivers a wireless, intrinsically safe monitoring solution for solvent pressure and leak detection.

Core Components

Pressure Sensor (ATEX Ex ia IIC T4 Gb)

High-accuracy pressure measurement suitable for solvent lines, manifolds, and storage vessels.

Optional Acoustic Sensor (ATEX Ex ia IIC T4 Gb)

Detects leak-related sound signatures on pipes, flanges, and valves.

Wireless Communication

Supports LoRaWAN, Modbus, and MQTT, enabling integration with DCS, SCADA, and safety systems.

Installation & Power

Battery-powered clamp-on or threaded installation — no cabling, no hot work, minimal disruption.

Operational Benefits

  • Early leak detection
  • Reduced solvent losses
  • Improved worker safety
  • Enhanced environmental compliance

Results and ROI

Metric Before After
Leak detection time Hours or days Minutes
Solvent losses Possible Reduced
Safety exposure Higher Reduced
Compliance reporting Reactive Proactive

ATEX Compliance and Safety

All sensors for solvent monitoring comply with:

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

The intrinsically safe design enables installation on live solvent systems without shutdown or hot work permits.

Integration and compatibility

Protocols

LoRaWAN, Modbus RTU/TCP, MQTT, REST API

Systems

DCS, SCADA, environmental monitoring platforms

Vendors

Siemens, Schneider Electric, ABB, Emerson

Cybersecurity

AES-128 encrypted communication

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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