Instrumentation Solutions for Petrochemical Plants

— A Complete Instrumentation Ecosystem for Refining, Ethylene, Aromatics, and Downstream Chemical Processing

Petrochemical plants operate under some of the most demanding conditions for instrumentation: cracking furnaces exceeding 1,000 °C, hydrogenation reactors above 30 MPa, highly corrosive media such as sulfuric acid and chlorides, and volatile organic compounds requiring intrinsic safety. In these extreme environments, instrumentation is not merely a data acquisition device—it is the “eyes, ears, and nervous system” of the entire process, directly impacting product yield, energy efficiency, operational safety, and environmental compliance.

Anhui Tiankang (Group) Co., Ltd. —founded in 1974 in Tianchang, Anhui Province—has focused on the R&D and manufacturing of high‑performance instrumentation for petrochemical applications for nearly half a century. We are a top‑10 instrumentation enterprise in China, a consecutive “Top 500 Chinese Manufacturing Enterprise”, and a candidate for the Vice Chairman unit of the 9th Council of China Instrument and Control Society. Tiankang offers a complete portfolio covering temperature, pressure, level, flow, and DCS/complete systems, with an annual production capacity of 5 million units, a team of 6,188 employees, and a CNAS‑accredited testing center whose certified products are recognized in 35 countries.

Our products are trusted by major state‑owned enterprises including Sinopec, CNPC, and CNOOC, and have been supplied to critical facilities such as Daxie Petrochemical, multiple million‑ton‑per‑year refining complexes, ethylene crackers, and downstream chemical units. Whether you require standard off‑the‑shelf instruments or custom‑engineered solutions for unique process conditions, Tiankang is your reliable partner.


1. Temperature Measurement Solutions: From Cryogenic to Ultra‑High Temperature

Temperature is the most frequently measured process variable in petrochemical plants, and its accuracy directly affects reaction kinetics, product quality, and safety interlock systems. Tiankang offers a complete temperature instrumentation line—from sensors to transmitters—designed for the full spectrum of petrochemical applications.

1.1 High‑Temperature Thermocouples for Cracking and Fired Heaters

Our high‑temperature and high‑pressure thermocouples are widely used in refineries, ethylene crackers, and fired heaters. They feature a measurement range from 0 °C to 1,700 °C and a thermal response time of less than 180 seconds. With sturdy mechanical construction and advanced materials, these thermocouples are specifically engineered to withstand the erosive and corrosive environments typical of catalytic cracking, coking, and reforming units.

1.2 COT Temperature Instruments for Ethylene Crackers

Tiankang’s COT (Coil Outlet Temperature) temperature instruments represent a breakthrough in high‑end petrochemical temperature measurement. Designed specifically for ethylene cracker coil outlet temperature control—a critical parameter for optimizing ethylene yield and run length—these instruments integrate 127 components and chips. Previously, such advanced instruments could only be imported. Through dedicated R&D, Tiankang has mastered the core technologies and now leads the national standard formulation for this product category. The COT instrument occupies approximately 35 % of the domestic market share and is exported to nearly 30 countries and regions worldwide.

1.3 High‑Accuracy Thin‑Film Sensing Chips (Indigenous Technology)

Through significant investment in R&D—including the acquisition of a lithography machine for chip manufacturing—Tiankang has successfully developed its own high‑accuracy thin‑film temperature sensing chips. These chips deliver a measurement range from ‑196 °C to 1,000 °C with an accuracy of ±0.15 °C, making them suitable for a wide range of petrochemical temperature measurement needs, from cryogenic storage to high‑temperature reactors. The chips are integrated into our temperature sensors and transmitters, providing superior performance without reliance on imported components.

1.4 Intelligent Temperature Transmitters

Our intelligent temperature transmitters—including the LCD smart type and explosion‑proof integrated type—are built with advanced digital technology that eliminates the linearity deficiencies of traditional analog instruments. Key performance features include:

  • System transmission accuracy: ±0.2 % of full scale

  • Temperature drift: ≤0.005 % F·S/℃

  • Electromagnetic compatibility meeting IEC61000‑4‑4 Class IV (harsh industrial environment) requirements

  • Explosion‑proof certification (dIIBT4) for use in hazardous areas

  • Two‑wire transmission (4‑20 mA output) for simplified wiring and reduced installation costs

  • On‑site LCD display, allowing operators to read actual process temperature at the measuring point

These transmitters are fully compatible with DCS, PLC, and other control systems, and have been widely applied in petrochemical units such as coking plants.

1.5 Customization Capabilities and Standards Leadership

Tiankang has participated in the formulation of 25 national standards and leads the national standard for COT temperature instrumentation. With a National‑level Enterprise Technology Center and a CNAS‑accredited testing center, we have the capability to design and manufacture custom temperature sensors to meet unique petrochemical application requirements—whether for extreme pressures, corrosive media, or specialized mounting configurations.


2. Pressure and Differential Pressure Transmitters: Precision Across Full Scale

Pressure measurement in petrochemical plants spans an extremely wide range—from vacuum distillation columns to high‑pressure hydrogenation reactors. Tiankang offers the TK1151HP series and TK3051 series pressure transmitters, covering gauge, absolute, differential, and high‑static‑pressure differential applications.

2.1 Wide Pressure Range and High Overpressure Capability

Our pressure transmitters cover a measurement range from ‑0.1 kPa to 120 MPa, with a turn‑down ratio of up to 100:1 and accuracy up to 0.075 % , allowing a single transmitter to cover multiple pressure ranges and reducing plant inventory requirements. For high‑static‑pressure applications such as reactor differential pressure monitoring, the transmitters can withstand conventional static pressure ratings of 14 MPa and high‑static‑pressure ratings of 32 MPa.

2.2 Explosion‑Proof and Corrosion‑Resistant Construction

Petrochemical plants demand instrumentation capable of operating safely in hazardous environments and handling corrosive process media. Tiankang pressure transmitters offer:

  • Intrinsically safe (iaIICT4/T6) and flameproof (dIICT4/T6) certifications for use in Zone 1 and Zone 2 hazardous areas

  • Corrosion‑resistant wetted materials including 316 L stainless steel, Hastelloy, and tantalum to handle aggressive media such as sour crude, hydrogen sulfide, and acidic process streams

  • Local zero and span adjustment capabilities for easy field configuration

2.3 Smart Features for Digital Integration

The WP800 series intelligent pressure transmitter integrates a CPU‑based digital circuit with HART protocol communication, allowing two‑way communication with control systems without interrupting output signals. Advanced diagnostics include:

  • Self‑diagnostics and remote diagnostics

  • Local panel buttons and LCD display for on‑site configuration of zero, span, and ranging (no handheld communicator required for basic adjustments)

  • EEPROM memory for data retention during power loss

  • Optional selection of 15 engineering units: Pa, kPa, MPa, psi, bar, mbar, atm, Torr, etc.

The transmitter can be used in applications ranging from crude oil pipelines to distillation column pressure monitoring, compressor suction pressure, and flare header pressure, delivering consistent, drift‑free performance.

2.4 Factory‑Integrated Manifolds for Reduced Installation Cost

Tiankang pressure transmitters can be factory‑assembled with manifolds, with leak testing and calibration completed before delivery, significantly reducing field installation time and labor costs—a particularly valuable feature for large‑scale petrochemical construction projects with tight schedules.


3. Level Measurement Solutions: From Simple Sight Glasses to Smart Continuous Monitoring

Level measurement in petrochemical plants must handle everything from clean hydrocarbons to viscous liquids, corrosive acids, and slurries. Tiankang offers a comprehensive suite of level instrumentation.

3.1 Displacer Level Transmitters for Interface and Density Measurement

Our displacer level transmitters have been successfully deployed in petrochemical units, including those at Daxie Petrochemical, for interface level measurement between two immiscible liquids and density measurement—applications where simple pressure‑based level instruments often fall short. These transmitters are particularly valued in separation processes, such as oil‑water separators and amine regenerators.

3.2 Capacitance Level Transmitters for Corrosive and High‑Temperature Media

Tiankang capacitance level transmitters are designed for corrosive media and high‑temperature liquids, capable of measuring level in sealed containers regardless of the viscosity, density, or operating pressure of the medium. With a maintenance‑free structure featuring no moving parts, these transmitters offer exceptionally high reliability and typically require no routine maintenance. They are ideal for reactor vessels, storage tanks for aggressive chemicals, and high‑pressure process vessels.

3.3 Online Liquid Level Transmitters for Diverse Process Fluids

The TY‑PB online liquid level transmitter is a versatile instrument that builds upon pressure transmitter technology to provide accurate measurement of volume, liquid height, and weight for water, oil, acids, alkalis, and viscous liquids. With intrinsically safe and flameproof explosion‑proof certifications, it can be safely deployed in hazardous areas. Key performance parameters:

  • Accuracy: 0.25 % F·S

  • Measurement range: 0 ~ 100 m

  • Output: 4‑20 mA two‑wire

  • Operating temperature: 0 ℃ to 70 ℃, temperature effect ≤0.02 %/1 ℃

Whether for storage tank inventory management, reactor level control, or sump level monitoring, the TY‑PB transmitter provides reliable, accurate measurement in even the most challenging petrochemical environments.


4. Flow Measurement Solutions: From Local Indication to Smart Totalization

Accurate flow measurement is critical for material balance, custody transfer, and process control in petrochemical plants. Tiankang offers flow measurement instruments designed for a wide range of fluid types and process conditions.

4.1 Intelligent Flow Totalizers

Our intelligent flow totalizers, such as the HEWJB‑3272/GV series, integrate multiple functions into a single device. Key features include:

  • High measurement accuracy with long‑term stability

  • WATCHDOG circuitry, digital filtering, and optical isolation for enhanced reliability

  • Fast response, minimal overshoot, and small steady‑state deviation

  • Input compatibility with a variety of flow sensors—from turbine meters to vortex shedding meters

The totalizers provide both instantaneous flow rate display and totalized flow accumulation, making them suitable for applications such as feed flow monitoring to reactors, product transfer metering, and utility flow balance (steam, cooling water, compressed air).

4.2 Integration with DCS and SCADA Systems

All Tiankang flow instruments are designed for seamless integration into plant‑wide control and data acquisition systems, providing 4‑20 mA analog outputs, pulse outputs, and optional RS485 communication (MODBUS protocol) for digital data transmission. This allows for real‑time flow monitoring and historical data logging at the control room level.


5. DCS Integration and Complete Instrumentation Packages

Tiankang goes beyond individual instruments to provide complete instrumentation packages—from primary sensing elements to signal conditioners, isolators, safety barriers, and control panels—that integrate seamlessly with plant DCS and PLC systems.

5.1 Signal Conditioners and Isolators

We offer a comprehensive range of signal conditioning products, including signal isolators, temperature transmitters, safety barriers, and smart digital display meters. These products provide:

  • Input/output/power galvanic isolation (≥1500 V.ac)

  • Input compatibility with all common sensor types (thermocouples, RTDs, 4‑20 mA, voltage)

  • DIN‑rail mounting for compact panel installation

  • Accuracy and stability maintained in high‑EMI environments

5.2 Intelligent Digital Display and Regulating Instruments

Tiankang’s “Tianyi” brand intelligent digital display instruments feature jumperless technology—users can freely change input signal types by simply adjusting internal parameters, rather than requiring hardware modifications. These instruments are compatible with:

  • All types of temperature, pressure, flow, and level sensors

  • Standard voltage and current input signals

This versatility makes them ideal for petrochemical plants where frequent changes in process conditions or instrument configurations occur.

5.3 Instrument Accessories and Mounting Solutions

We supply a full range of petrochemical instrumentation accessories, including instrument tube fittings and valves, instrument enclosures (protection boxes, insulation boxes, junction boxes, explosion‑proof boxes), and instrument panels (control panels, instrument panels, mimic panels). This one‑stop capability ensures component compatibility and simplifies procurement across multiple project phases.


6. Proven Quality Assurance: Testing, Certification, and Performance Validation

Tiankang’s commitment to quality is reflected in our rigorous testing protocols, extensive certifications, and long‑term performance stability—qualities that are particularly crucial in petrochemical applications where instrument failure can lead to costly downtime or safety incidents.

6.1 CNAS‑Accredited Testing Center

Our CNAS‑accredited testing center validates product performance under simulated operating conditions, covering precision, response time, pressure resistance, insulation strength, and electromagnetic compatibility. Products that pass testing at our center are recognized and accepted across 35 countries.

6.2 Material Traceability and Process Control

From raw material selection to manufacturing and final inspection, Tiankang maintains strict quality control procedures. We have implemented ISO 9001 quality management, ISO 14001 environmental management, and GJB 9001B military quality management system certifications. Our products carry the National ExemptionCCC Certification, and “China Well‑known Trademark” designations, reflecting a level of quality assurance that meets the most demanding petrochemical procurement requirements.

6.3 Long‑Term Stability and Reduced Maintenance

Tiankang instruments are designed for long‑term reliability in continuous petrochemical plant operations. Our pressure transmitters offer five‑year stability of ±0.15 % , significantly reducing calibration and maintenance costs over the life of the instrument. This proven reliability translates directly into lower total cost of ownership—a critical consideration for petrochemical asset owners and operators.


7. Digital Transformation and Industry 4.0 Readiness

As petrochemical plants embrace digitalization, intelligent instrumentation becomes a foundational enabler of predictive maintenance, process optimization, and operational efficiency. Tiankang is at the forefront of this transformation.

7.1 Wireless Instrumentation for Remote Monitoring

Tiankang has successfully developed wireless temperature instruments, wireless flow instruments, and wireless pressure instruments. These products enable real‑time data uploading to control systems and cloud platforms, making them ideal for applications such as:

  • Remote wellhead monitoring in petrochemical feedstock supply chains

  • Hazardous chemical transportation monitoring

  • Pipeline leak detection and pressure monitoring at widely distributed points

By eliminating the need for long runs of field wiring, wireless instruments reduce installation costs and enable monitoring in locations where wired instrumentation is impractical.

7.2 HART and MODBUS Communication

All of our intelligent instruments support standard digital communication protocols—HART for analog loop‑compatible devices and MODBUS (RS232/RS485) for fieldbus applications. This ensures seamless integration with plant‑wide control systems, asset management software, and predictive maintenance platforms.

7.3 Smart Manufacturing and Quality Consistency

Tiankang’s state‑of‑the‑art 5G smart workshops—featuring robotic arms, AGVs, and real‑time digital dashboards—enable high‑precision, high‑consistency manufacturing. Through digital transformation initiatives including the Tiankang Industrial Internet Platform, we have achieved equipment digitization and automated production lines, improving both product precision and production efficiency by 3 to 4 times. This advanced manufacturing capability ensures that every instrument shipped to our petrochemical customers meets the same high standard of quality.


8. Customer‑Centric Engineering: Customization, Technical Support, and Global Reach

Tiankang understands that no two petrochemical plants are identical. Each facility has unique process conditions, existing control systems, and operational requirements. Our engineering team is dedicated to providing tailored solutions that address these specific needs.

8.1 Custom Design Capabilities

With a strong R&D team and years of experience in custom instrumentation, Tiankang can design and manufacture instruments to meet specialized requirements—whether for extreme process temperatures, exotic wetted materials, unusual process connections, or specialized electrical outputs. We welcome custom orders based on customer drawings or samples.

8.2 Technical Support from Specification to Commissioning

Our technical support begins at the specification stage—helping customers select the right instrument for each application—and continues through installation, calibration, and commissioning. We provide on‑site technical assistance to ensure that instruments are correctly installed, configured, and integrated with plant control systems.

8.3 Global Presence and Reliable After‑Sales Service

With a well‑established distribution and service network, Tiankang serves petrochemical customers in over 40 countries and regions worldwide. In collaborative projects with Sinopec, we have applied new technologies, materials, and processes to improve sensor performance in harsh petrochemical environments, achieving increased temperature sensor stability and a service life extension of more than three years.


Conclusion: Your Trusted Instrumentation Partner for the Petrochemical Industry

In the petrochemical industry—where uptime, safety, and product quality are paramount—instrumentation is not a commodity; it is a strategic asset. Anhui Tiankang Group, with nearly five decades of focused expertise, a comprehensive product portfolio spanning temperature, pressure, level, flow, and DCS/complete systems, and a proven track record with the world’s largest petrochemical operators, is uniquely positioned to be your trusted partner.

Whether you are operating a refinery, an ethylene cracker, a downstream chemical plant, or a specialty chemical facility, Tiankang delivers instrumentation solutions that are reliable, accurate, and built to last—engineered for the extreme conditions of petrochemical processing and ready for the digital future of the industry.

We look forward to working with you to ensure that your petrochemical plant’s instrumentation systems deliver the performance, safety, and efficiency you demand.

For project‑specific inquiries and quotations, please email us at [email protected] or visit http://www.tiankang-global.com/. The Tiankang Instrument Engineering Technology Department is ready to provide you with professional, customized solutions for your petrochemical instrumentation needs.