April 22, 2013
ETC’s Cyclops plunger arrival sensor is the smartest sensor that plunger lift has ever seen. No other sensor compares to the reliability, durability, and flexibility that Cyclops offers.
Our sales & marketing staff are often met with disbelief when we announce that our sensor is truly different – and works better – than any other sensor offered in the market today. The plunger arrival sensor, a small yet critical component of a plunger lift system, is known for being relentlessly unreliable. They crush during installation, they stop functioning entirely after only months of operation, and missed arrivals and false detections occur in abundance. The sensor’s simple but crucial role in the system is to trigger a plunger lift controller to shift modes and operate a motor valve. Optimizing algorithms on plunger lift controllers are often adjusted intentionally to compensate for bad sensors, reducing profitability of a natural gas well.
So, what makes Cyclops so much better than other sensors?
The technology is fundamentally different. Traditional plunger arrival sensors rely on an internal coil to detect the plunger as it
arrives in the lubricator. This dated technology has many disadvantages. The plunger must pass by the sensor at a high speed to induce enough current in the coil to close an internal switch. If the plunger stops before entering the lubricator or arrives too slowly, missed arrivals occur. Environmental noise caused by other devices, equipment, and even temperature fluctuations can cause false detections. These incidents throw off optimization routines, leading to poor system performance, operator intervention, and lost production. Other disadvantages with old coil-based sensor technology include high power draw, noisy and short switch closures, inconsistencies in manufacturing, and a shorter product life span.
While the other guys focused on improving old systems, our team at ETC was busy developing new and better plunger sensor technology. Thus, Cyclops was born; a unique, sturdy, and reliable sensor that accurately detects plunger arrivals in any conditions. Cyclops uses magnetic sensor technology – with its magnetic ‘eye’, fast and slow moving plungers are equally visible, even when the plunger doesn’t fully enter the lubricator. Not all plungers are magnetic, so Cyclops provides the ability to increase sensitivity to look for movement within the lubricator as the plunger arrives. An embedded micro-processor allows the sensor to continually calibrate, eliminating false detections caused by environmental noise.
Want to see what Cyclops sees? With ETC Vision software, you can upgrade and test Cyclops, or troubleshoot problem wells on your PC, right from the comfort of your truck. ETC Vision displays real-time waveforms in an easy to understand graph for your convenience, giving you full visibility of external influences. Cyclops and ETC Vision will help identify issues with surrounding equipment that may disrupt your sensor. Use this information to decide what sensitivity setting Cyclops needs to ensure optimal performance. ETC Vision is not required for installation; it is merely a tool we provide to help you find the source of any false detections that may otherwise repeatedly occur. Do you experience a lot of false detections with your current sensors? We invite you to put Cyclops and ETC Vision to the test.
To minimize downtime and enhance plunger lift optimization techniques, Cyclops is designed with the both the user and their assets in mind. The result is optimal production and maintenance free technology that’s rugged and easy to install. Cyclops can stand the test of time; with no internal moving parts, there’s nothing to wear out or break. It’s rugged, reliable, low power and uses cutting edge technology. With all these benefits, it’s easy to see why ETC’s Cyclops is the best choice you can make in plunger arrival sensing. Trust Cyclops to keep an eye on your well.
For more information on Cyclops, click on product images, or check out our cool animated video.
Extreme Telematics Corp.
5925 12th Street SE, Bay 14
Calgary, Alberta T2H 2M3