che_december-2024 - 14

ABB
FIGURE 4. ABB's LWT Series guided-wave radar
accurately detects level even in demanding applications
that previously did not respond well
to guided wave radar, including those with fastmoving
levels and emulsion
ABB (Zurich, Switzerland; www.abb.
com), says, " Numerous applications
within the chemical industry impose
significant challenges on measuring
instruments. Specifically, factors
such as steam, dust, foam, turbulence
and condensation complicate
the functionality of level measuring
devices, impacting their precision
and dependability.
" In addition to these media characteristics,
chemical processes entail
handling toxic, corrosive, flammable
or explosive materials with wide variations
in temperature and pressure, "
Sreenivasan continues. " Yet, processors
are expected to overcome
these industry challenges while still
increasing performance targets. "
" For this reason, level measurement
solutions in the chemical industry
must be tailored to diverse
applications, each with unique challenges,
depending on the process
conditions. Today's advanced technologies
address a variety of issues
related to accuracy, safety, maintenance
and process optimization, "
suggests Emerson's Leion.
Corrosive environments
For example, non-contacting level
measurement technologies, such
as radar, are ideal for use in mixing
tanks and reactors where corrosive,
viscous or agitated media are
present. " These environments pose
significant challenges for traditional
contact-based sensors, which can
be affected by build-up, corrosion
14
or fouling. Rosemount non-contacting
radar with Smart Echo Supervision
is beneficial in these applications
because it tracks all signal
echoes, including those caused by
internal obstructions, such as nozzles,
baffles or agitators, " explains
Leion. " The Rosemount 3408 noncontacting
radar level transmitter
(Figure 1) is a frequency modulated
continuous wave radar instrument
suitable for level measurement and
overfill prevention. "
The smart features save time and
maximize efficiency for trouble-free
operations, simplifying commissioning,
operation and testing. Diagnostics
help users proactively plan
maintenance and optional Bluetooth
provides wireless connectivity for
convenient configuration and maintenance.
Verification at scheduled
intervals can be conducted from the
control room without process interruptions
and proof-testing can be
done remotely and in-situ with onboard
functionality.
SOR's Brittany Cost agrees: " Noncontact
sensors, such as radar and
ultrasonic sensors have gained
popularity because they do not encounter
process material, making
them ideal for corrosive or hazardous
substances and can avoid issues
related to build up or fouling
that affect traditional sensors. In
addition, modern guided wave
radar can withstand extreme
conditions and still provide accurate
measurements. "
To that end, SOR's 1100 Series
MLI (Figure 2) was designed
to help processors overcome issues
with corrosive media and
harsh environments even in
challenging tank configurations.
It can incorporate external point
level switches or continuous level
transmitters, such as guided
wave radar or magnetostrictive
level transmitters, without breaking
the pressure boundary or
disturbing any existing piping,
says Cost.
" The 1100 Series MLI features
specialty materials, ensuring resistance
to corrosive chemicals
and operation in extreme environments,
such as cryogenic applications,
with its special chamber
design, which is particularly suited
for demanding applications like liquid
propane gas, " she explains. " The device
serves as an alternative to traditional
sight glasses since the vessel
contents are totally contained within
the float chamber, making it ideal for
high-pressure systems. These features
ensure that the 1100 Series offers
reliability and ease of use while
helping chemical processors maintain
compliance and optimize safety
in demanding conditions. "
Tres Thurston, sales manager with
Hawk Measurement (Medina, Ohio;
hawkmeasurement.com), adds that
radar-based technologies, particularly
guided wave radar, provide a lot
of opportunities in demanding level
measurement applications. " With
guided wave radar, the part of the
instrument that is coming into contact
with the media and exposed
to high temperatures or pressures
is constructed of very robust, rugged
industrial materials that aren't
impacted by extreme temperatures,
high pressures or caustic environments, "
says Thurston. " And, guided
wave radar has a tendency to be
more accurate that other technologies
such as ultrasonic or free air
radar, despite harsh environments. "
He says Hawk's Centurion Guided
VEGA Americas
FIGURE 5. VEGA's VEGAPlus series non-contact radar can
take measurements, even in dusty applications, and has
the ability to measure through plastic, glass or fiberglass
tanks without the need for a process connection
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING WWW.CHEMENGONLINE.COM
DECEMBER 2024
http://www.hawkmeasurement.com http://www.abb.com http://WWW.CHEMENGONLINE.COM
che_december-2024

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