CiDRA stands as a breakthrough pioneer in non-invasive flow measurement, process optimization, and structural monitoring solutions designed specifically for severe, high-solid slurries and abrasive processing loops. Unlike traditional valve or metering manufacturers, CiDRA does not build hardware that sits inside the pipe. Instead, they completely redefined industrial fluid analytics by engineering passive sonar tracking technology that clamps exclusively to the outside of existing lines. This unique approach delivers absolute measurement integrity while entirely eliminating the wear, pressure drops, and safety hazards associated with invasive instrumentation.
By focusing on real-time acoustic signal processing and wrap-around sensor mechanics, CiDRA ensures that highly aerated fluids, dense pastes, and volatile mining matrices are monitored with zero process interruption. Choosing CiDRA’s specialized clamp-on infrastructure provides industrial facilities with a path to maximize throughput and improve recovery rates, backed by local application engineering expertise to optimize your heaviest material transport lines.
The core of CiDRA’s technology portfolio is the SONARtrac® flow monitoring system, a revolutionary advancement in volumetric flow and entrained air measurement. This system utilizes an array of passive acoustic sensors that wrap around the exterior of the pipe to listen to naturally occurring turbulent structures and acoustic waves within the fluid. Because the sensors never contact the process medium, they are completely immune to the devastating erosion caused by hydrocyclone feeds, grinding circuits, and heavy tailings lines. This provides reliable flow data in environments where traditional electromagnetic meters suffer rapid mechanical failure or drift.
In highly agitated chemical processing and mineral flotation cells, entrained air can severely distort volumetric flow calculations and disrupt process efficiency. CiDRA’s sonar technology isolates and measures the precise amount of entrained air or gas bubbles trapped within the process fluid in real time. By delivering accurate, independent readouts of both true liquid volume and gas fractions, this infrastructure empowers operators to eliminate pump cavitation risks, optimize chemical additive dosing, and achieve tighter control over slurry densities.
To maximize mineral recovery and grinding mill efficiency, CiDRA offers advanced acoustic processing tools like the CYLtrac® system, engineered to track particle size changes inside individual hydrocyclones. By monitoring the acoustic signature of sliding rock blocks and slurry impacts directly through the cyclone wall, this technology alerts plant personnel to coarse particle carryover or roping conditions instantly. This localized telemetry allows for rapid operating adjustments, keeping the grinding circuit optimized and protecting downstream flotation beds from premature wear or process failure.
Expanding beyond fluid dynamics, CiDRA utilizes its acoustic sensing arrays to deliver continuous structural health telemetry for critical pipeline networks. By listening for the microscopic sounds of stress fractures, internal lining degradation, or sudden wall thinning caused by high-velocity abrasives, these wrap-around monitoring systems act as an early-warning loop against catastrophic pipeline ruptures. This real-time visibility allows heavy industrial facilities to transition from reactive repairs to predictive maintenance schedules, safeguarding both environmental compliance and operational uptime.
Everest Automation is an authorized partner providing specialized application knowledge, expert technical support, and lifecycle services across Eastern Canada.
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