ABB reported July 2 that it’s providing ProcessMaster FEP600 electromagnetic flowmeters with Ethernet- Advanced Physical Layer (APL) to upgrade a large refining and petrochemical complex in China. Located at the Zhoushan Green Petrochemical Base project on Yushan Island, the new facility is operated by Zhejiang Petroleum & Chemical, and has a total refining capacity is 40 million tons per year.

ProcessMaster flowmeters will be deployed in a chemical production facility at the complex. It has an annual production capacity of 450,000 tons of adipic acid, which is a raw material used to make nylon 66, specialty engineering plastics and polyurethane.

The flowmeters’ Ethernet-APL instrumentation will enable high-speed, real-time data transmission across the facility, supporting efficient and reliable plant operations. They’ll monitor flows of high-temperature, corrosive acidic fluids.

ProcessMaster FEP600 are designed for a wide range of pipe sizes, ranging from DN 15 mm to DN 300 mm. A single two-wire cable provides power and high-speed Ethernet-APL communications, enabling the highest level of safety protection (Ex ia), and reliable data transmission up to 1,000 meters. ABB also uses PFA linings to protect the flowmeters, and ensure measurement accuracy and equipment longevity.

Zhejiang plans to use the flowmeters’ enhanced data sensing and transmission capabilities to improve its understanding of operating conditions, and enable smart, more efficient operations.

“Ethernet-APL is increasingly the most common communication technology in industrial applications with intrinsic safety,” says Jacques Mulbert, president of ABB’s Measurement and Analytics division. “Through this collaboration, we’ll support Zhejiang in enabling smart operations, advanced diagnostics and proactive maintenance.”