Industrial process sensor with sensor coating detection
First Claim
1. A method of detecting coating of a sensor component exposed to a process fluid;
- the method comprising;
sensing a process parameter during an initial period with the sensor component exposed to a process fluid;
determining a baseline value of a statistical metric based on the process parameter during the initial period;
sensing the process parameter subsequent to the initial period;
determining a current value of the statistical metric based on the process parameter sensed subsequent to the initial period; and
providing an output indicative of coating of the sensor component as a function of the current value and the baseline value.
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Abstract
An industrial process sensor having a sensor component exposed to process fluid detects when the sensor performance has been degraded by a sensor coating buildup from the process fluid. A baseline statistical metric, such as standard deviation of the process parameter sensed by the sensor, is determined during an initial operating period when the sensor component is clean. During continued operation of the sensor, the statistical metric is continually updated and monitored. An alarm output indicating that sensor coating has degraded sensor performance is produced when the current value of the statistical metric varies from the baseline value by an amount indicating degraded sensor performance.
47 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of detecting coating of a sensor component exposed to a process fluid;
- the method comprising;
sensing a process parameter during an initial period with the sensor component exposed to a process fluid; determining a baseline value of a statistical metric based on the process parameter during the initial period; sensing the process parameter subsequent to the initial period; determining a current value of the statistical metric based on the process parameter sensed subsequent to the initial period; and providing an output indicative of coating of the sensor component as a function of the current value and the baseline value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
- the method comprising;
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8. A method of detecting coating of a sensor component exposed to a process fluid, the method comprising:
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sensing a process parameter; providing a measurement value as a function of the process parameter sensed; performing a statistical analysis of the measurement value to derive a metric that is a function of sensor coating; and providing a diagnostic output indicative of sensor coating based on the metric. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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12. Apparatus for use in a process control system, the apparatus comprising:
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a sensor for sensing a process parameter of a process fluid, the sensor including a sensor component that contacts the process fluid; measurement circuitry connected to the sensor for producing measurement values based upon the process parameter sensed; I/O circuitry for providing an output based on the measurement values; and diagnostic circuitry for detecting material build-up on the sensor component based upon a statistical analysis of the measurement values. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification