When to Use a Instrumentation Manifold

Manifolds maintain the flow of a system or line in processing applications.

Instrumentation manifolds are key components when customizing your process line. Other valve types, like needle valves and check valves, with the same threaded connections, can easily connect to them. In fact, they're capable of connecting to two or more valves in a system which makes them go-to products for connecting in confined spaces.

Additionally, pressure instruments traditionally use manifolds where calibration of another piece of equipment is necessary without entertaining a system shutdown. Manifolds are known as isolation/shutoff valves and are used with pressure instruments such as transmitters and differential pressure transmitters.

What is differential pressure and why does it need to be measured?

Differential pressure is the difference between two applied pressures and is "often the basis of other measurements such as flow, level, density, viscosity and even temperature". It's important to measure differential pressure because fluctuations can have significant effects and differential pressure readings determine if there's a potential problem in the process line.

Differential pressure instruments include transmitters, gauges, sensors, and transducers. By far, the Differential Pressure Transmitter is the most common instrument used with manifolds.

A DP transmitter's function is to "sense the difference in pressure between two ports and produce an output signal with reference to a calibrated pressure range".

System designers use 3-valve or 5-valve manifolds in conjunction with the DP transmitter to prohibit over-range and to isolate the transmitter from the process line for maintenance and calibration.

Manifolds are most commonly used with DP transmitters because their isolation function allows the transmitter separation from the process instrumentation line helping the system to stay temporarily idle instead of shutdown.

Advantages of an Instrumentation Manifold

Certainly, each mounting style has a unique set of benefits. However, if you decide to use an instrument manifold valve with your processing system, you're already ahead of the game! In general, here are several advantages to consider when thinking of using a manifold with your system.

• They're suitable for confined spaces because of compact size.

• They have a simpler, more compact design which reduces costs and connections.

• There's a smaller chance of leakage with fewer connections and this aids in decreasing maintenance time/costs.

• Fewer connections improve system layout.

Now we'll breakdown the unique set of benefits for each mounting style.

The biggest advantage of using a direct mount manifold is the improvement in energy efficiency by shortening the system's path flows. The manifold's regulation, directly mounted onto a pressure instrument, helps to reduce pressure drops and heat fluctuations.

Here are a few other benefits to keep in mind when considering a direct mount manifold.

Benefits of the Direct Mount Manifold

• Less expensive installation

• Less expensive maintenance

• Fewer leak points

• System still hard piped

• Integrated valves

As for the remote mount manifolds, because they're mounted indirectly onto lines instead of instruments, their biggest advantage is that they're used to protect instruments from temperature beyond their limits by reducing and/or increasing process temperature.

Take a look at more benefits of using a remote mount manifold.

Benefits of the Remote Mount Manifold

• Easier installation

• Easier maintenance

• Fewer leak points

• Uses tubing and tube fittings

• Uses standard instrument manifolds

• The piping is mounted to the transmitter

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