HeroX, the leading platform for crowdsourced solutions, has announced two new competitions—The Electrode Code and The Emerson License to Flow Challenge—on behalf of Emerson. These challenges invite engineers, materials scientists, and innovators to develop next-generation solutions that enhance the reliability, accuracy, and lifespan of flow measurement systems in critical industrial processes.
In sectors such as oil and gas, water management, and chemical processing, precision flow measurement is essential for performance and safety. Two persistent challenges—electrode fouling in electromagnetic flowmeters and acid corrosion in Coriolis flowmeters—can degrade accuracy, increase maintenance costs, and reduce operational uptime. Flowmeters convert the movement of liquids and gases into precise electrical signals, and the performance of internal components like electrodes and liners is crucial to maintaining signal integrity.
The Electrode Code: This challenge seeks durable, conductive, PFAS-free solutions to prevent or remove fouling in electromagnetic flowmeter electrodes. Industrial coatings such as paraffin, scale, and abrasive particulates can cause false readings and costly maintenance. Competitors are tasked with designing materials or self-cleaning mechanisms that maintain signal accuracy under extreme temperatures, pressures, and chemical exposure, while complying with REACH and RoHS standards. Solutions should be cost-effective, wear-resistant, and compatible with existing systems to maximize uptime.
The Emerson License to Flow Challenge: This challenge invites innovators to create robust, compliant, and cost-effective linings or coatings to protect Coriolis flowmeters from acid corrosion and mechanical wear. Chemicals like sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide can erode stainless-steel flow paths, affecting accuracy and increasing downtime. Solutions must provide long-lasting protection under pressure and temperature extremes, prevent delamination and pitting, and comply with REACH and RoHS standards. They should minimize PFAS use, demonstrate strong adhesion and durability, and be adaptable to complex geometries.