VEGAPULS 64: The First 80 GHz Radar Level Sensor

VEGAPULS 64 is the first radar level sensor for liquids that operates at a frequency of 80 GHz. This delivers superior focusing of the radar beam. This means this level sensor can deliver reliable measurements even in vessels with internal installations such as heating coils and agitators. The narrow radar beam avoids these obstacles altogether and buildup on the vessel wall has no effect on performance either. The larger the dynamic range of a radar sensor, the wider its range of application and the higher its measurement certainty. VEGAPULS 64 is able to measure poorly reflective media with significantly better performance than previous radar sensors; for example, the sensor is able to measure poorly reflective liquids down virtually to the vessel bottom. Even with surface foam, extremely turbulent product surfaces, condensation or buildup on the antenna, VEGAPULS 64 maintains its accuracy and reliability.

Download the VEGAPULS 64 brochure here or read about it in the embedded document below.

Classic Controls, Inc.
https://classiccontrols.com
863-644-3642

VEGAPULS 64 Radar Level Transmitter from Classic Controls, Inc.

Understanding How Radiometric (Radiation-based) Level Measurement Works

Radiometric (also known as radiation-based) level measurement uses a very slightly radioactive isotope that emits focused gamma rays. A sensor, which is mounted on the opposite side of the vessel, receives this radiation. Because gamma rays are attenuated when penetrating matter, the sensor can calculate level, point level, density or mass flow from the intensity of the incoming radiation.

Advantages are:

• Maximum operational reliability even in the harshest environments
• Measurement is independent of pressure, temperature and product aggressiveness
• Measuring system can be installed on the outside of a vessel during ongoing production

Watch this video to understand more.

For more information contact:
https://classiccontrols.com
863-644-3642

Methods of Continuous Level Measurement in Industrial Process Control

Information about liquid level in a tank is an integral part
of successful process operation and safety.

Many industrial processes require the accurate measurement of fluid or solid (powder, granule, etc.) height within a vessel. Some process vessels hold a stratified combination of fluids, naturally separated into different layers by virtue of differing densities, where the height of the interface point between liquid layers is of interest.

A wide variety of technologies exist to measure the level of substances in a vessel, each exploiting a different principle of physics. This chapter explores the major level-measurement technologies in current use.

Level gauges

Level gauges are perhaps the simplest indicating instrument for liquid level in a vessel. They are often found in industrial level-measurement applications, even when another level-measuring instrument is present, to serve as a direct indicator for an operator to monitor in case there is doubt about the accuracy of the other instrument.

Float

Perhaps the simplest form of solid or liquid level measurement is with a float: a device that rides on the surface of the fluid or solid within the storage vessel. The float itself must be of substantially lesser density than the substance of interest, and it must not corrode or otherwise react with the substance.

Hydrostatic pressure

A vertical column of fluid generates a pressure at the bottom of the column owing to the action of gravity on that fluid. The greater the vertical height of the fluid, the greater the pressure, all other factors being equal. This principle allows us to infer the level (height) of liquid in a vessel by pressure measurement.

Displacement

Displacer level instruments exploit Archimedes’ Principle to detect liquid level by continuously measuring the weight of an object (called the displacer) immersed in the process liquid. As liquid level increases, the displacer experiences a greater buoyant force, making it appear lighter to the sensing instrument, which interprets the loss of weight as an increase in level and transmits a proportional output signal.

Echo

A completely different way of measuring liquid level in vessels is to bounce a traveling wave off the surface of the liquid – typically from a location at the top of the vessel – using the time-of-flight for the waves as an indicator of distance, and therefore an indicator of liquid height inside the vessel. Echo-based level instruments enjoy the distinct advantage of immunity to changes in liquid density, a factor crucial to the accurate calibration of hydrostatic and displacement level instruments. In this regard, they are quite comparable with float-based level measurement systems. Liquid-liquid interfaces may also be measured with some types of echo-based level instruments, most commonly guided-wave radar. The single most important factor to the accuracy of any echo-based level instrument is the speed at which the wave travels en route to the liquid surface and back. This wave propagation speed is as fundamental to the accuracy of an echo instrument as liquid density is to the accuracy of a hydrostatic or displacer instrument.

Weight

Weight-based level instruments sense process level in a vessel by directly measuring the weight of the vessel. If the vessel’s empty weight (tare weight) is known, process weight becomes a simple calculation of total weight minus tare weight. Obviously, weight-based level sensors can measure both liquid and solid materials, and they have the benefit of providing inherently linear mass storage measurement. Load cells (strain gauges bonded to a steel element of precisely known modulus) are typically the primary sensing element of choice for detecting vessel weight. As the vessel’s weight changes, the load cells compress or relax on a microscopic scale, causing the strain gauges inside to change resistance. These small changes in electrical resistance become a direct indication of vessel weight.

Capacitance

Capacitive level instruments measure electrical capacitance of a conductive rod inserted vertically into a process vessel. As process level increases, capacitance increases between the rod and the vessel walls, causing the instrument to output a greater signal. Capacitive level probes come in two basic varieties: one for conductive liquids and one for non-conductive liquids. If the liquid in the vessel is conductive, it cannot be used as the dielectric (insulating) medium of a capacitor. Consequently, capacitive level probes designed for conductive liquids are coated with plastic or some other dielectric substance, so the metal probe forms one plate of the capacitor and the conductive liquid forms the other.

Radiation

Certain types of nuclear radiation easily penetrate the walls of industrial vessels, but are attenuated by traveling through the bulk of material stored within those vessels. By placing a radioactive source on one side of the vessel and measuring the radiation reaching the other side of the vessel, an approximate indication of level within that vessel may be obtained. Other types of radiation are scattered by process material in vessels, which means the level of process material may be sensed by sending radiation into the vessel through one wall and measuring back-scattered radiation returning through the same wall.

Laser

Lasers can be employed essentially as distance measuring instruments, emitting a beam from above the target material and measuring the elapsed time for the emission to return as a reflection from its surface. With no moving parts, this can be an attractive technology for some applications.

The sales and application engineers at Classic Controls are experts in industrial level control. Feel free to contact them with your level measurement and control challenges. Combine your own process knowledge and experience with their product application expertise to develop an effective solution.

Measurement of Level and Interface with Guided Wave Radar

Guided wave radar application
illustration.

Extreme process conditions such as temperature, pressure or corrosion make selecting the right sensor a real challenge. Maintenance-free instrumentation with a long service life is a requirement for maintaining shutdown intervals of several years without premature production stoppages.

When it comes to measuring level, guided wave radar (GWR) transmitters are suitable for level measurement in liquids and bulk solids. In liquids, they can also detect the interface between two products. They measure liquids reliably, even under high pressure and extreme temperatures. They can be used in simple as well as in aggressive liquids and are suitable for applications with stringent hygiene requirements. The sensors measure light as well as heavy bulk solids with absolute reliability, even in the presence of dust and noise, and without being affected by build-up or condensation. Density fluctuations, steam generation or strong pressure and temperature fluctuations do not influence the measuring result with guided wave radar. Also buildup on the probe or the vessel wall do not influence the measurement.

Guided wave radar
level control
(courtesy of Vega)

Measuring Principle

High-frequency radar pulses are coupled onto a cable (solids) or rod (liquids) and guided along the probe. The pulse is reflected by the product surface. The instrument calculates the level from the running time of the radar pulses and the entered tank height.

Advantages

Guided wave radar sensors operate independently of noise, pressure or temperature fluctuations and are also completely unaffected by changes in density, foaming, steam or dust. Buildup on the probe or on the container wall does not affect the measurement either. This allows simple, straightforward system design and engineering. The menu-driven adjustment routines allow simple, time-saving and confident setup.

For more information on guided wave radar level applications, contact:

For more information, contact:
Classic Controls, Inc.
5095 South Lakeland Drive
Lakeland, Florida 33813
Phone: 863.644.3642
Fax: 863.648.0484
Email: sales@classiccontrols.com
www.classiccontrols.com