Electro controlled pressure regulator

[Speedy]

I want to source an electro equivalent of a manual pressure regulator we currently have.

Spec of manual pressure regulator as follows;
- manual controlled, in-line,
- non-venting pressure regulator.
- handles both methane and oxygen (2 regulators)
- operates in an explosive environment, EX rated.
- max supply pressure = 40 Bar
- max OUTPUT pressure = 16 Bar
- Flow rate = ?, not known as yet.

I have found some "I/P Transducers" (4~20mA) for methane in explosive areas, but these are max 2 bar output.

Any ideas welcome.

Cheers,
Speedy

 

[StoneCold]

What about setting the supply pressure at a fixed value and using mass flow controllers to supply the gas in the desired amounts. Or I see that Tescom has an electronic pressure controller that is explosion proof.

http://www.tescom.com

Goodluck

StoneCold

 

[Speedy]

Maybe I should elaborate a little bit more on the application.

Basically, we are using the regulator to supply constant pressure to a charge cylinder. When the charge cylinder retracts Methane is drawn through the regulator. The charge cylinder then extends to fill a combustion chamber. The critical issue therefore is that the gas pressure reaches the set value at the beginning of extraction. Should it not be possible to simply use a valve, controlled from the measured pressure downstream from it.
Are mass flow meters required if the final flow will be zero at the set point?
Can a PID type control be employed to differentiate between the static and dynamic pressures? That is the throttling effect from the closing valve as the set point is approached will reduce the difference between the static & dynamic values.

Cheers,
Speedy