Emerson (St. Louis, Missouri) has agreed to acquire Permasense (Horsham, United Kingdom), a provider of non-intrusive corrosion monitoring technologies for the offshore and onshore oil production, refining, chemical, power, pipelines, metals, and mining industries.
Permasense’s monitoring systems use unique sensor technology, wireless data delivery, and advanced analytics to continuously monitor for metal loss from corrosion or erosion in pipes, pipelines, or vessels. Additionally, Emerson says the systems can deliver high-integrity data from very harsh environments.
The acquisition represents a step forward in Emerson’s strategy to invest in its core business platforms and expand in markets that hold significant long-term growth opportunities, according to the company.
“Corrosion and erosion can significantly impact the safe and reliable operation of our industrial customers’ infrastructure, which can have dire consequences,” says Mike Train, president of Emerson Automation Solutions.
“Wireless non-intrusive corrosion monitoring is a transformational shift that helps customers immediately understand the health and integrity of their infrastructure in real-time and enable them to fully optimize their operations while maximizing safety,” Train adds. “For example, with the increasing complexity of the types of crude oil coming into a refinery, corrosion is becoming a significant issue in the uptime and profitability of a refinery. Now refinery infrastructure can be monitored and controlled using this non-intrusive technology.”
The Permasense product line will become part of Emerson’s Rosemount portfolio of measurement and analytical technologies. According to Emerson officials, the Permasense technologies will complement Emerson’s Roxar intrusive corrosion monitoring and non-intrusive sand management systems, while also strengthening Emerson’s pervasive sensing applications that provide customers with a more complete view of operations and facilities.
With Permasense and Roxar technologies in its portfolio, Emerson says it will be the largest provider of integrity and corrosion management solutions in the marketplace.
“The addition of patented Permasense technologies along with our existing Roxar technologies enables Emerson to provide customers with a more complete corrosion monitoring solution and a clearer picture into the performance of their infrastructure based on what they’re demanding of it and the strategies needed to optimize production,” says Lal Karsanbhai, vice president of the measurement and analytical technologies group within Emerson Automation Solutions.
Central to Permasense’s corrosion monitoring systems are sensors that employ proven ultrasonic wall thickness measurement principles. The sensors are battery powered and communicate wirelessly, which minimizes the cost of installation and enables use in remote areas and on a large scale. The sensors are also designed so they can be deployed in hazardous areas.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.