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Equipment
Science fiction novelist, Arthur C. Clarke once said,“ any sufficient advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic”. In industries like oil and gas, aerospace, and industrial automation, advanced sensor technology is making the impossible possible, enabling operations in environments once considered unreachable. Here Ross Turnbull explains how Application Specific Integrated Circuits( ASICs) enhance sensor performance in extreme environments.
From the depths of the ocean to the vacuum of space, modern industry relies on technology that can endure the harshest conditions on Earth and beyond. Sectors such as oil and gas, aerospace and industrial automation depend on sensor technology to maintain safety, precision, efficiency and performance in increasingly extreme environments.
Ensuring safety and precision
In environments where failure could lead to catastrophic outcomes, sensors are essential. They deliver critical data for predictive maintenance, real-time decision-making and system optimization. By monitoring factors such as temperature, pressure, strain and vibration, sensors help prevent system failures that could jeopardize safety, productivity and the well-being of both people and the environment.
For instance, in the oil and gas industry, downhole sensors allow for real-time monitoring of temperature, pressure and fluid composition at depths where temperatures can exceed 200 degrees Celsius, and where pressures may surpass 20,000 pounds per square inch( psi). These sensors enable realtime data acquisition, helping engineers detect anomalies such as transient pressure spikes- early indicators of potential well blowouts. To function reliably, the associated signal processing electronics must endure high thermal stress, electrical noise and mechanical shock.
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