PI pressure sensor for hygienic applications

Monitoring media the hygienic and reliable way

For years, ifm pressure sensors of the PI series have proven their reliability in hygienic processes. Its robust ceramic measuring cell that easily withstands pressure peaks, overload and abrasive media, is crucial to its success. Unlike conventional sensors with a metallic diaphragm, no oil is required as a diaphragm seal, which could enter the medium in the event of damage. The ceramic measuring cell therefore offers maximum safety in hygienic applications.

Even proven solutions can be improved: The diagnostic function that permanently monitors the status of the measuring cell, creates confidence in the measurement and serves as a documentation requirement for critical processes. The fast-reacting temperature compensation also inspires confidence, ensuring that the exact pressure value is always displayed, even if the media temperature fluctuates considerably. The pressure value itself is mapped in high resolution with approximately 20,000 steps via IO-Link, which is an enormous advantage, especially for hydrostatic level measurement at the push of a button.

Product benefits

What are the advantages of the new PI pressure sensor?

Ceramic measuring cell with diagnostic function for maximum reliability
The ceramic measuring cell that is free of dead space offers high durability and long-term stability, even in case of pressure peaks, overload and abrasive media. The status of the measuring cell is permanently monitored via the integrated diagnostic function, which offers maximum safety and creates confidence.

Optimised ventilation
The ventilation has been optimised compared to the previous sensors of the PI series. The moisture thus reliably runs off the Gore-Tex membrane if the sensor is mounted with the display facing up or down.

Flush process connection
The measuring cell, which is flush with the process, gives deposits no chance. Only materials that meet hygienic requirements come into contact with the medium.

One-piece, welded stainless steel housing with IP69K
Thanks to the completely welded stainless steel housing and protection rating IP69K, the sensor not only permanently withstands harsh environments, but also meets all the requirements of the food industry.

Withstanding, measuring and compensating media temperatures up to 150 °C
The sensor can withstand media temperatures of up to 150°C for long periods, can measure them and output them cyclically via IO-Link. The sensor also features integrated temperature compensation that quickly compensates for dynamic temperature changes in the process.
With conventional pressure sensors, temperature fluctuations cause the measured values to slowly approach the actual pressure value. This consumes valuable time when changing recipes or cleaning processes.

Typical applications

The pressure sensors of the new PI1 series are ideally suited for pressure measurement in tanks and pipes in food production – for example in dairies, breweries and many other applications where liquids are used.

Precise level monitoring in tanks

Harsh environments: spray ball cleaning

Use cases

Level monitoring of foaming media

Determining the level in tanks with foaming media is a very challenging application. Most top-down measurements rely on a stable media surface to achieve reliable measurements. In addition, foam can affect the signal strength or cause inaccurate measurements.
The detection of hydrostatic pressure is ideal in such applications as the foam on the medium has little to no influence on the corresponding level measurement. This avoids incorrect measurements and signal losses and increases the performance and availability of the machine.

Thanks to the PI1, we can precisely and accurately monitor the level in our tanks with foaming media, which allows us to keep an eye on the process at all times and ensure consistent process quality.

Customer from the dairy industry

Pressure monitoring in pipes with pressure peaks

A customer of ifm in the food industry uses the PI1 to monitor the pressure in pipes. Here, the sensor is ideally suited with its high resolution and the clear presentation of the process value via the display.
Another advantage is the ceramic measuring cell used, which easily withstands pressure peaks. Potential product contamination that can occur due to leakage of the diaphragm liquid is also eliminated by the ceramic measuring cell.

Pressure peaks occur in our pipes due to the fast-switching valves. The PI’s ceramic measuring cell is not distracted by these, reducing unplanned downtime and keeping our systems available.

Customer from the beverage production

Pressure monitoring in fermentation tanks

Processes in fermentation tanks tend to leave residues. To remove these residues, spray balls are often used in addition to the conventional CIP process to clean the inside of the tank with high pressure.

The PI1 series pressure sensor can withstand the direct high-pressure jet of water nozzles and spray balls thanks to its ceramic capacitive measuring cell. It is much harder and more stable than conventional metal diaphragms, which can easily be deformed and permanently damaged in these applications.

Thanks to the PI1 series sensor, equipment failures in the fermentation tank can be reduced and unplanned downtimes prevented. The robust ceramic measuring cell is largely responsible for this.

Producer of alcoholic beverages

Accelerating production start by up to 60 seconds

In the dairy and beverage industry, machine uptime is a decisive factor for efficiency. After the CIP process (cleaning in place), conventional pressure sensors often have measured value deviations of up to 90 seconds due to dynamic temperature changes. This leads to production delays and unnecessary loss of time.

The PI pressure sensor with integrated temperature compensation, however, provides stable and precise pressure values after just 30 seconds – even faster than sensors with diaphragm seal technology. This means that the production process can be resumed up to 60 seconds faster after cleaning. This enables a significant increase in system availability and efficiency, especially with frequent cleaning cycles.

System connection

Added value thanks to IO-Link

32-bit IO-Link resolution
The new PI with 32-bit resolution and approx. 20,000 steps offers a detailed display even across wide measuring ranges.

Loss-free data transmission
IO-Link enables loss-free data transmission, as conversion losses are excluded via digital communication and external influences, such as magnetic fields, have no effect on data transmission. Diagnostic data is also provided via IO-Link.

Transparent processes
The current pressure is output precisely with the highest possible resolution via IO-Link. This makes it easy to keep an eye on your process at all times. In addition, the medium temperature is output cyclically via IO-Link.

Easy set-up
The pressure sensor can be configured quickly and easily via IO-Link.
This is supported by a simulation function, among other things.

Adapters for difficult welding conditions

High wall thicknesses and unfavourable and difficult welding conditions often present a challenge. During welding, the high temperatures often cause the sealing edge to warp. This warping is a thing of the past with our new welding adapters.

More about the welding adapters