Erratic H2 Flow Rotameter

Instrumentation engineering root cause analysis of erratic reading of H2 flow rotameter.

Note: This root cause analysis (RCA) is from real-time scenarios that happened in industries during the tenure of two or three decades ago. These articles will help you to improve your troubleshooting skills and knowledge.

Flow Rotameter Problem

Erratic H2 flow rotameter readings prevented newly charged catalyst reduction and delayed Reformed Gas Production.

Instrument Crew’s difficulties

The instrument crew complained about the pipe fitter’s inability to make the ¾ pipe exactly vertical. Hence, stuck rotameter float and unreliable readings

Pipe fitters’ woes

They too expressed the near impossibility of the slender ¾” pipeline ‘rotameter plumb’. Even if they achieve it, it does not stay that way!

Author Solution

He told the Instrument crew to do the following:

1. Workshop to make a 2” pipe stand to mount the rotameter using instrument engineer given sketch
2. Miscellaneous contractor to grout it vertically to the cement floor under instrument engineer supervision
3. Instrument crew to bolt the rotameter on the stand vertical and lock the fasteners with lock nuts
4. Pipe fitters to connect the pipe flanges to the rotameter strain free i.e. just by hand position the pipes to match the rota meter flanges

Problems vanished and reformer started smoothly.

Author: S. Raghava Chari

Do you face any similar issues? Share with us through the below comments section.

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for Instrumentation, Electrical, PLC, and SCADA video tutorials.

You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter to receive daily updates.

Read Next:

• Level Transmitters Zero Drifts
• Target Flow Transmitters Failed
• Pitot-tube Replaced with Orifice
• Mechanical Temperature Indicator
• Seal Pressure Instruments Problems