Rheonics Support

What products are involved?
Rheonics RPA System to use with inline process viscometer and density meter in variants Type-SR X8: Teletube Ultra-Long Insertion Probe, SRV-X5, SRD-X5, and Rheonics Adaptable Process Connector (APC).

What is the purpose of this article?
To Give an overview of the Rheonics Retractable Probe Assembly, Rheonics-RPA, description, and where to use it.

1. Overview

In industrial applications often there is a need to remove instrumentation from pipes or tanks, without emptying the equipment or stopping the production. In these cases, Rheonics inline process viscometer SRV and density meter and viscometer SRD sensors can be installed with the Rheonics Retractable Probe Assembly - RPA.

The Rheonics RPA allows the retraction and insertion of Rheonics process viscometer SRV and process density meter SRD from the line without disrupting the process. This minimizes downtime for probe inspection or line cleaning since the user doesn’t need to stop the process, drain the lines, or create work stoppage orders to remove instrumentation during pigging operations.

The Rheonics Retractable Probe Assembly uses the long insertion probe (X5 option) or teletube (X8) variant (explained in detail in ordering section below). The uses a ball valve to isolate process fluid from the outside environment. The probe is inserted or removed through the open ball valve and after it is retracted, the ball valve is closed to isolate the probe from the fluid inside the line. For sealing purposes, the Rheonics RPA uses a compression fitting nut to fix or allow the movement of the probe. Vertical rods allow the linear motion of the probe without undesired movements during insertion or retraction.

The Teletube Retractable probe is composed of the parts shown below. At the fluid end, it requires the Long insertion or Teletube probe version of the SRV or SRD (SRV-X5/X8 or SRD-X5/X8). At the other end, it has the cable gland end (SRx-TT-CAB).

Figure 1. Retractable Probe Overview

2. Where to use the Rheonics Retractable Probe Assembly?

In certain industrial applications, removing sensors without draining the line might be necessary for maintenance, cleaning, or replacement without interrupting the production processes. 

In addition, when a line should be piggable, it is required for the probe to be removed from the line when the pigging operation is ongoing. Instead of removing the complete probe, a more time-efficient mechanism is to use retraction to remove the probe from inside the line thus removing any obstruction from the path of the pigging device. Once the pigging operation is finished, the probe can be reinserted.

Another use case is when the probe needs to be checked or cleaned during operation, the retractable assembly is able to remove it from the process line for in-situ or external verification and cleaning.

This ability allows for minimizing downtime, reducing product loss, and maintaining operational efficiency. Some of these industries are:

• Crude oil transfer pipelines
• Chemical Processing.
• Oil and Gas Industry.
• Water Treatment Plants.
• Food and Beverage Production.
• Pharmaceutical Manufacturing.
• Industries using Pigging system.

Advantages of retractable density meter and viscometer:

• Removal of the sensor without affecting the ongoing process
• Ensuring the process line is piggable.
• In-situ cleaning of the probe without contaminating the process fluid (option through upgrades).
• In-situ calibration verification using known fluid check in the RPQ assembly (option through upgrades).

3. Parts Index

Figure 2. Retractable Probe Parts

4. Assembly Instructions

The assembly of this accessory is simple because most of the parts are delivered assembled. Follow the next steps to start using the retractable probe.

Steps	Drawing
How to assemble the retractable probe
1. Insert the guide rods in the static guide slab (9).
2. Use the Nuts to fix the guide rods to the static guide slab.
3. There are two options: If the teletube probe isn’t assembled please follow these steps to do it. Ultra-Long TT Sensor viscometer and density meter assembly. If the teletube is assembled or is an SRx-X5 long insertion probe continue to step 4.
4. Install the Rheonics APC (3) on the sensor probe body (Type-SR-X8 or -X5) following the instructions in the APC Article. In this case, the Movable Guide Slab (4) is used as Process Connection.
5. Insert the Type-SR Teletube in the 1 1/2” NPT Adapter (8). Also, Insert the movable guide slab (4) in the two guide rods (5).
6. Insert the Securing pin (2) in one guide rod (5) to secure the retracted position of the sensor probe. The retractable probe will be ready to be installed in the standpipe of the mainline.
How to install in the process
1. The main pipe must have a customer prepared standpipe with a suitably prepared end for connecting the Rheonics retractable probe assembly.
2. Screw the Rheonics retractable probe to the 1 1/2” NPT standpipe (11) using the ball valve 1 1/2” NPT (10).
How to insert the sensor probe in the mainpipe?
1. If the ball valve is closed, open it to allow the insertion of the probe. Otherwise, go to step 2.
2. Remove the securing pin (2) to allow the movement of the sensor probe.
3. Insert the sensor probe through the ball valve (10) and the standpipe (11).
4. Use the compression nut (7) to fix the position of the probe.
How to remove the sensor probe from the mainpipe?
1. Unscrew the compression nut (7) of the 1 1/2” adapter (8).
2. Retract the sensor probe from the process line.
3. Close the valve (10) to isolate the retractable probe from the process.
4. Use the Securing pin (2) in one rod to secure the retracted position of the sensor probe.

5. Installation examples

A common installation for the Rheonics RPA is in a line that has a pigging cleaning system. For this case, the sensor probe needs to be removed from the pipe to avoid an impact between the pigging head and the sensor probe. This is easily achieved by using the Rheonics RPA for both process densitometer SRD as well as process viscometer SRV.

6. How to order the Rheonics Retractable Probe?

How to Order Rheonics Retractable viscometer and density meter
1	Rheonics SR- Type sensorSRV: Inline ViscometerSRD: Inline Density and Viscosity meter	3	Total Length of the standpipe- L Defined by client. Total length of the standpipe for the connection to the pipe or tank.
2	Process Connection Configuration RPA: Retractable Probe Assembly	4	Insertion Lenth - A Defined by client. Length from the external wall of the pipe or tank until the maximum insertion point that the customer wants.
The appropriate RFQ page for SRV viscometer or SRD density and viscosity meter should be used to configure other sensor options, like viscosity range, calibration accuracy, pressure rating, etc.