Non-Intrusive Measurement Instrumentation
Why Go Non-Intrusive?
Emerson's Non-Intrusive Measurement Instrumentation
Rosemount™ X-well™ Technology
Rosemount X-well Technology provides accurate process temperature measurements without requiring a process pipe penetration. It works by measuring the ambient and pipe surface temperatures to calculate process temperature via a thermal conductivity algorithm. Learn how Rosemount X-well can help you save on design, engineering, installation, and maintenance costs for your temperature measurements.
Flexim Clamp-on Ultrasonic Flow Meters
Measure virtually anything that flows, including liquids, gases, and steam, without process penetration with Flexim Ultrasonic Flow Meters. These proprietary clamp-on flow meters meet the highest requirements of industrial production and safety and have become a standard for flow measurement in a broad range of industries and applications. Learn more about how these industry-leading, highly accurate, and innovative flow meters can help make an impact in your facility.
Rosemount Non-Intrusive Corrosion and Erosion Solutions
Continuously monitor pipework metal loss from corrosion or erosion with Rosemount Wireless Corrosion and Erosion Transmitters. These transmitters measure changes in pipe wall thickness as small as 10 microns (0.0005 inch), allowing you to make note of metal loss in real time to assess the impact of changing corrosion or erosion risk on asset integrity. The Rosemount SAM42 Sand Acoustic Monitor measures the intensity of the solids in the process stream to help you understand your erosion risk. Learn how these technologies can help your assets operate safely and reliably to help ensure maximum output.
Rosemount 708 Wireless Acoustic Transmitter
The Rosemount 708 Wireless Acoustic Transmitter accurately communicates acoustic level, temperature, and device data as well as event status and leak detection for your steam traps and pressure relief valves (PRVs). Learn more about this easy to use and cost-effective solution and how to get enhanced insights into these applications.
Interested in Non-Intrusive Level Measurement for Polymer and Plastic Tanks?
Non-contacting radar level transmitters determine the level by emitting a continuous radar signal toward the product surface and measuring the time it takes for the signal to reflect back. This technology offers enhanced measurement accuracy in liquids and solids applications, and it is suitable for use in IBC tanks as well as fiberglass or plastic tanks without any tank connections due to the ability of the waves to easily penetrate the plastic roof.
Frequently Asked Questions
Non-intrusive measurement instruments obtain measurements of the conditions inside a process containment barrier (i.e. a pipe or vessel) without the need for process penetrations.
Non-intrusive instruments are quick to install, as there is no need for a process shutdown. They are less complex than their intrusive alternatives, as they do not require pipe modifications and require less time to design and specify the instruments due to high degree of universality. Instruments can be added whenever desired and can be easily moved to allow for monitoring on many different applications. These solutions also can maintain similar precision, repeatability, and reliability as their intrusive alternatives, so no compromising on accuracy and measurement quality.
All Emerson non-intrusive technologies can be installed under insulation. Rosemount-X well Technology and Rosemount Wireless Corrosion and Erosion Transmitters are designed to operate under insulation, and Flexim Flow Meters are commonly insulated after commissioning with no impact to accuracy.
Operators typically see the fastest ROI from non-intrusive measurements where value is realized immediately by avoiding shutdowns, hot work, and complex mechanical installation. Adding non-intrusive temperature points in brownfield units—such as furnaces, heat exchangers, and transfer lines—often pays back quickly by eliminating thermowell costs and outage dependency. Corrosion and erosion monitoring also delivers rapid returns by reducing inspections, optimizing inhibitor dosing, and preventing unplanned downtime, especially in high-risk areas. Clamp-on flow meters and temperature measurements around heat exchangers and utilities enable early fouling detection and energy optimization with minimal effort. In short, ROI is fastest where non-intrusive solutions first remove disruption and project risk, and then compound value through better operational insight and reliability.