Ernie Graves Company Blog

Instrumentation Installation Pictures ...#fieldfotos

Colby Graves — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:30:00 GMT

We love seeing the measurement and control instruments we supply actually measuring and controlling out in the field. Seeing these devices in their intended environment is cool, right?

We want to see your level instruments measuring level... your flowmeters measuring flow... your gas analyzers analyzing gas...your differential pressure transmitters differentiating...

Calling all installation shots! Share your instrumentation installation pics with us by:

Posting them on our Facebook wall
Hitting us up on Twitter using #fieldfotos
Or simply by emailing us

Brooks Capacitance Manometer Outshines MKS Baratron®

Colby Graves — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 15:57:00 GMT

MKS has been the dominant capacitance manometer in the vacuum to low pressure measurement arena for some time, leaving the question… Isn’t there a worthy alternative option? The answer is absolutely. It comes in the form of the Brooks Instrument XacTorr™.

Brooks digital capacitance manometers provide terrific benefits for vacuum to low pressure applications:

XacTorr can be re-zeroed from the control room
Full scale ranges from 1000 Torr to 100 mTorr
Extremely stable and repeatable measurement for pressure sensitive processes
Up to 3X longer life in aggressive processes
Drop-in replacement for competitive vacuum gauges
Unique diagnostic features for preventative maintenance
Monitor and troubleshoot without interfering with the tool communication system
Track remaining zero adjustment range to allow scheduled maintenance, reducing unplanned interruptions

Take the taste test… Sign up today for a 30 day trial. If you like it after 30 days, buy it. If you don’t, return it. It’s that simple.

Brooks Instrument XacTorr 30 Day Trial

Colby Graves — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 12:35:00 GMT

Sign up today for your 30 day trial. If you like it after 30 days, buy it. If you don’t, return it. It’s that simple. We’re obviously confident that you will.

Fill out the form below with your contact information and one of our pressure measurement specialists will be in touch to get your application details.

What’s Needed For Rotameter Sizing?

Colby Graves — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 12:30:00 GMT

As with any flowmeter, knowing the application information upfront helps with proper sizing and selection of a rotameter. The flow rate you’ll be operating at is a good starting point.

The basic information we like to know to get started is:

Fluid (Liquid / Gas):
Flow Rate / Range:
Operating Pressure:
Operating Temperature:
Local Indication Only -or- Remote Indication Also:

Some more in-depth questions would be:

Metal -or- Glass:
Connection Size / Type:
Min / Max Pressure:
Min / Max Temperature:
Desired Accuracy:
Allowable Pressure Drop:

Global web based sizing tools are now utilized to ensure accurate and consistent results, but that won’t stop you from finding some old slide rules lying around the Ernie Graves Company. If there’s anyone you can rely on for assistance with this it’s us. We’ve been specifying and supplying variable area rotameters for more than five decades.

We’ll get to capacitance manometer selection next, so stay tuned……

Innovative Ultrasonic Spool Flowmeters Installed

Colby Graves — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 16:29:00 GMT

A major Oklahoma petroleum pipeline company chooses to install a couple of ultrasonic spool flowmeters from Siemens. When the site was visited, it was determined there simply wasn’t enough straight run of pipe to install the clamp-on check meter/interface detector they are standardized on. The improved accuracy boasted by the spooled version, along with the need to bring the pipe above grade, made it a no-brainer to go with this latest Siemens offering.

The SITRANS FUT1010 flow meter is a perfect match for the liquid & gas hydrocarbon industries. With the innovative permanent TransLoc™ mounting system, the transducers are mounted on the outside of the pipe, preventing contact with the medium and the troublesome clogging of cavities found in other ultrasonic spools. Available with two, three, or four paths, these WideBeam ultrasonic transit time flow meters achieve highly accurate measurement.

Liquid Applications:

Pipelines: Allocation, line balance, interface detection, density/densitometer reading
Terminals: Check metering, transmix metering, product identification
Refineries: Process control, blending, tank measurement, ship loading and unloading
Transportation: Crude oil pipelines, LPG pipelines, refined product pipelines

Gas Applications:

Upstream: Production wells, gathering, separation and dehydration
Midstream: Underground storage, transmission, compressor stations
Downstream Electric power generation, industrial use, gas processing plants

Ultra-Low Oxygen Level Analyzer Training

Colby Graves — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 14:34:00 GMT

We’re fresh off a fantastic hands-on training session that was put on at the Servomex systems engineering and service center in Houston, TX.

Servomex produces high-performance, cost-effective, gas analysis delivered through a portfolio of dependable products ranging from portable gas analyzers and continuous online analyzers to complex sampling systems and process solutions.

The focus of this meeting was to gain better understanding of the recently acquired Delta F Corporation and how its brand of trace and ultra-trace oxygen measurement products fit into the Servomex portfolio. Their Coulometric liquid electrolyte sensor based oxygen analyzers fit quite nicely, offering lower detection of oxygen analysis down below percent levels into the parts per million (ppm), parts per billion (ppb), and even parts per trillion (ppt) ranges.

Coulometric Sensing Technology (Delta F)	200 ppt ... 1.0% O2
Paramagnetic Sensing Technology (Servomex)	0.5% ... 100% O2
Zirconia Sensing Technology (Servomex)	10 ppm ... 25% O2

Interested in learning more? CLICK HERE to request a dedicated demonstration or training session at the factory in Houston, at our training center in Tulsa, or on-site at your facility.

United Way Charity Golf Tournament

Colby Graves — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 16:49:00 GMT

We had a blast this week keeping golfers hydrated, loose, and energized at the 6th Annual Magellan Midstream Partners charity golf tournament benefiting the Tulsa Area United Way.

Ernie Graves Company and Siemens Industry teamed up to sponsor a tent on the challenging fourth hole at White Hawk Golf Club, a 159 yard par 3 over water to a shallow green. We were chatting it up all day with the 288 golfers that passed through, handing out Nike golf balls, hats, and ice-cold water/beer/red bull.

A big THANK YOU to the people at Magellan for inviting us to take part in this fantastic event! We are so pleased to have been part of helping raise $90K+ for the United Way organization.

Breakthrough Liquid Vaporization Solution

Colby Graves — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 15:51:00 GMT

Everybody knows that Brooks Instrument makes the best MFC’s and PC’s around, but do they also know that Brooks makes a remarkable direct liquid injection vaporizer?

A Brooks direct liquid injection vaporizer employs hot gas, rather than a hot metal surface, to accomplish liquid vaporization. As liquid enters the hot gas chamber, it is atomized by a carrier gas stream. Once the atomized liquid contacts the hot gas, it immediately changes to vapor. The result is chemically pure vapor, free of decomposition byproducts or liquid carry-over. Moreover, a Brooks vaporizer can accept multiple liquid inlets and will generate perfectly mixed vapors. Unlike bubblers and hotsurface vaporizers, Brooks direct liquid injection vaporizers are extremely efficient at producing vapor from liquid.

Applications Include:

Vaporizing liquid hydrocarbons
Vaporizing monomers for vacuum polymer film deposition
Water vaporization for fuel cell stack humidification and many other water addition applications
Liquid precursor vaporization for chemical vapor deposition (CVD), metal oxide chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD), and atomic layer deposition (ALD)
Depositing thin films for enhanced thermal, optical, or hardness characteristics such as diamond-like carbon coating and glass coating

Replace your plumber’s nightmare of a bubbler with a few, simple components and get exactly as much vapor mass as you want exactly when you want it.

High Performance Rotary Globe Control Valve

Colby Graves — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 14:58:00 GMT

The 3800 Series Rotary Globe Control Valve manufactured by Warren Controls incorporates the time-tested and proven Segmented Ball (E-Ball), combining exceptionally tight control and rangeability (100:1), with superior trim wear characteristics inherent with the eccentric design.

Unique Ceramic Trim as an off-the-shelf option, and a vast array of custom alloys that can be selected, sets this valve apart as an ideal solution for erosive or corrosive fluid applications.

Available as completely automated valve assemblies with pneumatic actuators, electric actuators, trimmed out with accessories, or simply as bare stem products. Typically carrying a 2-3 week lead time, and manufactured in the United States, the 3800 series control valves make an excellent alternative for the Fisher® Vee-Ball™ (V-Ball) when fast delivery is required.

Simple Loading Terminal Overfill Protection Upgrade

Colby Graves — Tue, 31 May 2011 11:01:00 GMT

Civacon’s Opti-Therm 8460SRC is a direct drop-in replacement chassis for upgrading Scully ST-6 or BICLOPS® rack control monitors with the Opti-Therm technology – Automatic Switching and Internal Ground Verification for API compatible Optic and Thermistor technology all in one box. Installation requires simple hand tools and typically takes less than an hour.

Civacon Opti-Therm rack monitors are used to automatically recognize the type of overfill protection system (optic or thermistor signals) that is being used on a transport. When connected to the tank truck or railcar, the monitor checks the status of the sensors within the compartments. These overfill detection systems provide automatic warning of product overfill at predetermined levels and warn of a pending overload condition.

Provides Automatic Switching and Internal Ground Verification for API Optic and Thermistor technology, all in one package.
Accepts existing wiring from 120VAC power supply, control circuits, as well as plug and cord connections.
Compatible with all 5-wire optic, thermistor, thermo-optic sensors. Will load all trailers equipped with any brand or style of overfill detection system.
Suitable for Class I/Division1/Group D hazardous locations when installed per Civacon installation manual.

Prove That Your Gas Sensor is Alive

Colby Graves — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 14:04:00 GMT

Within the FM approved intrinsically safe sensor head of the latest generation Sensidyne SensAlert+ gas detection transmitter, is an optional Test-On-Demand gas generation cell. The Test-On-Demand cell (ToD™) performs a bump test by actually emitting a small amount of gas at programmed intervals, or by manual initiation, to verify sensor response and whether it is dead or alive.

Here’s a video of the ToD™ cell in action……

This feature automates manual bump tests and provides the option of performing the test with the 4-20mA output active, or temporarily inactive. By simply programming an automatic testing to take place every Friday at noon, every 30 days, or whatever interval desired, you will have peace of mind that your gas detection sensor is working properly. The ToD™ cell packs a warranty of 300 tests or 14 months.

Visit SensidyneGasDetection.com to learn about more unique functions for industrial gas and flame detection systems.

Presssure Transmitter 30 Day Trial :: ERNIE GRAVES COMPANY

Colby Graves — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 16:41:00 GMT

Putting our money where our mouth is. Sign up today for a 30 day trial. If you like it after 30 days, buy it. If you don’t, return it. It’s that simple. We’re obviously confident that you will.

Fill out this form with your contact information and one of our transmitter specialists will be in touch for application information.

Think Customer Responsiveness & Ownership

Colby Graves — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 16:11:00 GMT

“Think Customer” award presented by Bob Lontoc (left), Siemens Process Instrumentation & Analytics Regional Sales Manager, to Jonathan Gabel (right), Ernie Graves Company Customer Service Representative, for going above and beyond to ensure customer satisfaction in a very prompt and professional manner.

A flow meter was supplied to a third party and deep within the specifications was a submersible requirement that was originally missed. The customer submerged the meter once installed, and then called Jonathan for assistance when it was no longer functional. Jonathan relentlessly made phone calls to service technicians at Siemens in attempt to salvage whatever was possible. Even after being told it was now an expensive paper weight, Jonathan drove out to the customer location to retrieve the meter and bring it back to the shop to look at it himself. Unfortunately, it was indeed ruined and a suitable replacement meter was purchased at the rep firm’s expense to satisfy the customer.

This is just one example where the people at Ernie Graves Company put the customer first.

Call us today @ 918.584.4707 and let us do the same for you.

30 Brooks Mass Flow Meters Taking Commands

Colby Graves — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 16:12:00 GMT

Introducing the new Brooks Smart Interface (BSI) model 0260. The 0260 is a Microsoft™ Windows™ based software application that provides expanded control and monitoring capabilities for the Brooks thermal mass and coriolis mass flow meters and controllers with the RS485 Smart protocol. This product provides a great turnkey solution for monitoring and controlling up to thirty mass flow meters/controllers.

Until this release our capabilities for controlling were limited to 1, 2, 3, or 4 meters via the model 0254 controller (formerly 0152/0154). With this new 0260 addition our capability now extends to anywhere from 1 to 30 meters simultaneously. The four channel 0254 control box certainly still has its place as a stand alone power supply and digital readout, but when you’re looking for more the 0260 could be the solution.

The software package allows the user to:

Display full scale flow rate
Display the measured flow rate
Display and adjust the set point
Display the device status / alarm status
Display and change valve over ride (VOR) status

Click here to view the 0260 data sheet. Click here to schedule a live demonstration.

Brooks Software Demonstration Request :: ERNIE GRAVES COMPANY

Colby Graves — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 16:37:00 GMT

Want to see the Brooks Instrument software tools live and in person?

Simply fill out this form with your contact information and one of our flow measurement specialists we’ll be in touch with you shortly to set it up.

Check Meter Demonstration Request :: ERNIE GRAVES COMPANY

Colby Graves — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 16:33:00 GMT

Please fill out this form with your contact information and one of our clamp-on flowmeter specialists we’ll be in touch with you shortly to set it up.

Digital Control Valve Trade-in Program :: I WANT BRODIE VALVES

Colby Graves — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 15:38:00 GMT

Introducing the 4? digital control valve cash for clunkers trade-in program. Send us your old Smith valves (dead or alive) and we’ll issue $750 credit per valve towards the purchase of new drop in replacement Brodie valves.

Please fill out this form with your contact information and one of our valve specialists we’ll be in touch with you shortly.

Training Request :: ERNIE GRAVES COMPANY

Colby Graves — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 15:10:00 GMT

Please fill out this form with your contact information and one of our training specialists we’ll be in touch with you shortly.

Brodie International Technical Training

Colby Graves — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 15:30:00 GMT

The training performed this month by the friendly people at Brodie in Statesboro, Georgia was top notch. They put together a program that included classroom instruction along with a complete factory tour with hands on demonstrations and live meter provings. Being able to witness the professionals assemble/disassemble the Brodie flowmeters, control valves, and air eliminators brings a whole new level of understanding for this equipment.

Here are some images from the event… Let us know if you would like for us to include you in the next one.

The Brodie product portfolio includes high precision liquid flow measurement and control equipment as used in the custody transfer of petroleum products with published accuracies down to 0.075%. The relationship between Brodie and Ernie Graves Company dates back to the 1950's when Ernie himself signed on as the local representative in the Central US. If you have any questions at all regarding their products and services we’re here to assist.

Out with the old Smith: In with the new Brodie

Colby Graves — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 17:34:00 GMT

There are two types of digital control valves installed in the field at various truck loading racks, the Smith model 210 valve, and the Brodie BV88 / Daniel 788 valves. These valve designs use similar Asco solenoids to operate the main valve via a signal from an electronic batching device or electronic preset. Their differences lie in the operating principles.

The diaphragm design utilized in the Smith valve contains 50% more effective area on the top of the diaphragm (closing portion) than on the bottom, resulting in an unstable device. Since the valve is on a steep portion of the flow rate versus percent opening curve, the controls are constantly searching for a stable valve position, causing excessive chattering and wear on the solenoids.

The Brodie valve utilizes a balanced stainless steel piston that is spring biased (loaded). It is a linear valve which enables the controls to be extremely stable when establishing and maintaining the desired flow rate. The life expectancy substantially increases with this design.

Interested in taking us up on this offer? Fill out this form and one of our valve specialists will get things moving.

Check Metering From The Back of a Truck

Colby Graves — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 11:38:00 GMT

Flow measurement performance is easily verified with on location check metering via the clamp-on system from Siemens. Whether you’re looking to validate the accuracy of an ABB Totalflow orifice meter, Daniel turbine, Smith PD, or to simply find out the flow rate where there is no existing measurement, the non-intrusive check meter is a viable option.

With these portable strap-on ultrasonic check metering kits equipped for either liquid or gas measurement, simply mount the sensors in line and make the required measurements and move on to the next location.

Interested in seeing this performed live in person? Fill out this form and we’ll set up a no cost, on-site demonstration.

Gas Detection Transmitter Specialists

Colby Graves — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 16:42:00 GMT

Sensidyne manufactures gas detection transmitters with state of the art functionality from large backlit graphic displays to unique built in gas test-on-demand (TOD).

The universal sensor head technology that Sensidyne gas detection monitors employ allows you to plug a variety of sensor types and technologies into the same transmitter without tools, automatically reconfiguring the transmitter to the type of sensor installed. These gas detection systems are designed to be the easiest to install, easiest to use and easiest to maintain while providing long term dependability.

Ernie Graves Company, Inc. and Sensidyne, LP have signed an exclusive representative agreement, bringing additional capabilities to our analytical measurement and control solutions.

RPM No Match For Little Coriolis

Colby Graves — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 15:45:00 GMT

A Tulsa manufacturer, and worldwide supplier, of multipass filter test stands has implemented the Brooks Quantim Coriolis Flowmeter into their design. They use it to accurately measure and control the water injection into test fuel.

These test stands are provided to combat one of the major causes of diesel engine maintenance problems, water in fuels. The effects of water in fuel are characterized by corrosion of fuel system parts, plugging of filters and orifices, and possible failure of fuel injection equipment. Water in fuel often dissolves sulfur compounds, becomes acidic, and enhances corrosion in fuel injection systems as well as in the engine itself. Hence the need for filter manufacturers to have a high end filter test stand.

The original design of these test stands calculated an inferred flow rate based on the RPM from an internal positive displacement pump. As stands were built and tested, the discovery was made that truly accurate readings were not achievable utilizing this inferred method. The hunt was on for a metering device built for liquid measurement below 150 mL/min… A perfect fit for the ultra low flow measurement and control achieved by the Coriolis liquid flow controller manufactured by Brooks Instrument. The design change was made, multiple units have shipped, and happy filter testers were created.

Mobile Analysis Testing Fleet On The Road

Colby Graves — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 15:48:00 GMT

Servomex stack gas analyzers have been installed in a fleet of portable emission testing trailers based out of Tulsa, OK. These mobile systems are designed for various types of emission testing projects for real-time gas analysis and calibration. A typical system setup extracts stack gas through a sample probe, into the probe housing, through a heated sample line, into a gas conditioner, through the analyzers, and out the vents. Gas analyzers typically include measurements for oxygen, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, volatile organic hydrocarbons, and total hydrocarbons (THC).

For measuring a single specific gas, multiple gases, or liquid hydrocarbon composition, we welcome you to put our expertise to work for you.

Metal is Better Than Glass When it Comes to a Float Level Gauge

Colby Graves — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 15:52:00 GMT

Brooks Instrument magnetic liquid level indicating gauges are designed for use in applications where a simple gauge glass indicator cannot be used. Due to its design these armored level indicators can safely be used with flammable, corrosive or toxic liquids; or where operating conditions exceed safety limits of glass because of high temperature or high pressure.

Each level gauge can be equipped with optional contact alarms and/or a 4-20mA transmitter for remote monitoring. The design of this equipment ensures excellent reliability, and safe use.

Principle of Operation: A float inside a bypass tube follows the level of the liquid inside a tank or vessel. The magnetic link between the float magnet and the external magnetic indicating rollers directly indicates level inside that tank or vessel.

This addition of the Brooks Instrument level family of products further enhances our level measurement capabilities.