PFAS-Free Lining for Abrasive Flow Measurement

Emerson is releasing a cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) coating option for its electromagnetic flowmeter portfolio to address material degradation in abrasive industrial fluid management. This technology targets water, wastewater, and slurry applications where harsh chemical environments and entrained solids typically compromise measurement hardware.

Material Degradation in Abrasive Flow Applications
Existing coating solutions for electromagnetic flowmeters exhibit vulnerabilities when exposed to abrasive slurries and aggressive chemicals. Fluoropolymer-based linings often suffer from coating flare when measurement devices are subjected to delayed installation or cyclical removal and reinstallation processes. Furthermore, conventional coatings degrade over prolonged mechanical stress, potentially releasing perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) into the fluid stream. These material limitations necessitate frequent maintenance and force plant operators to warehouse multiple specialized coating variants to match specific chemical and temperature profiles, significantly increasing inventory complexity.

Cross-Linked Molecular Structure and Regulatory Compliance
To resolve these structural limitations, the integrated PEX lining relies on a cross-linked molecular architecture. This atomic structure yields high abrasion resistance against entrained solids, preventing the accelerated wear that reduces the lifespan of internal flowmeter components. Functioning without fluoropolymers, the PEX material eliminates the emission of PFAS compounds, ensuring that the hardware meets evolving environmental regulations and public water safety expectations. By providing a single, resilient material suitable for a wide spectrum of process media, the PEX solution simplifies material selection and reduces the reliance on highly specific fluoropolymer alternatives.

Hardware Deployment in Industrial Infrastructure
The PEX coating option is implemented across the Rosemount 8750W, the 8705 flanged, and the MS electromagnetic flowmeter lines. These devices are utilized within the process automation ecosystem, specifically for municipal wastewater treatment, sludge processing, and abrasive chemical transport. Engineered for pipeline diameters up to 8 inches, with larger diameter compatibilities under development, the PEX integration provides end-users with durable measurement technology that stabilizes long-term asset reliability without introducing compliance risks.

Additional Context
This section details technical specifications and competitive benchmarking not included in the original news release.

In the industrial electromagnetic flowmeter market, sensor linings isolate measurement electrodes from corrosive or abrasive media. Historically, manufacturers such as Endress+Hauser and Krohne have relied on standard isolation materials including polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), perfluoroalkoxy alkane (PFA), polyurethane, and hard rubber. While PTFE and PFA offer high chemical resistance and high-temperature tolerance, they belong to the fluoropolymer family, making them subject to increasing PFAS regulatory scrutiny. Additionally, they can be susceptible to mechanical deformation or cold flow under severe pressure changes. Conversely, polyurethane provides high abrasion resistance for heavy slurries but lacks broad chemical compatibility.

By integrating cross-linked polyethylene (PEX)—a material extensively validated in high-performance municipal piping networks for its robust thermomechanical properties—the Emerson architecture achieves an abrasion-resistant and chemically stable barrier without relying on fluorinated compounds. This establishes PEX as a quantifiable alternative in the sector, benchmarking favorably against polyurethane regarding wear resistance while systematically bypassing the regulatory constraints and mechanical vulnerabilities associated with standard PTFE and PFA linings.

Edited by Aishwarya Mambet, Induportals Editor, with AI assistance.

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