Chemical Engineering March 2016 - 36

Focus
Level Monitoring and Control
Acoustics-based device
BinMaster
Fluid Components International
monitors uneven topography
The BinMaster 3D Level Scanner
(photo) uses non-contact, dustpenetrating
technology to detect
solid material surfaces. It provides
early warning of surface irregularity,
the development of cones, or sidewall
buildup in bins and vessels, and
is suitable for pellets, granular and
powdered materials and other bulk
solids in a wide array of chemical
process industries (CPI) applications.
This advanced, acoustics-based
technology measures multiple points
within the bin, and performs well in
powders and bulk solids enclosed in
tanks, silos and warehouses, as well
as open bins and piles. With a measuring
distance of up to 200 ft, this
device uses 3-D mapping capabilities
to provide a visual representation of
bin contents, detecting irregular material
surfaces and providing highly
accurate bin-volume calculations.
Communications include 4-20-mA
HART, Modbus RTU, TCP/IP and
RS-485. It has the following hazardous-location
classifications: CFM
Intrinsically Safe Class I, II, Division I,
Groups, C, D, E, F and G (U.S. and
Canada). It is self-cleaning, requires
minimal maintenance and has a variety
of extensions and configurations
to allow it to meet a range of challenging
applications, says the company.
- BinMaster, Lincoln, Neb.
www.binmaster.com
Siemens
Interface detector supports
hydrocarbon separation
The FlexSwitch FLT93S flow-leveltemperature
switch (photo) is a
dual-function, insertion-style instrument
that can identify the interface
between any type of media, including
foam, emulsion layers, liquids
and slurries. The FLT93S switch allows
one instrument to control two
different product interfaces. Two or
more switches can be used to control
product discharge and intake at
specified points. It offers either flow/
temperature sensing or level/temperature
sensing in a single device.
Note: For more information, circle the 3-digit number on p. 90, or use the website designation.
36
ChemiCal engineering www.Chemengonline.Com marCh 2016
With its advanced thermal-dispersion
sensing technoogy, the FLT93S
switch provides precision interface
detection of fluids, helping users to
manage the separation of crude oil,
gas and water during petroleum-recovery
and refining operations using
either two-phase (oil/gas and condensate)
or three-phase (oil, gas and
water) separation tanks. It can be
used in tanks, for monitoring, controlling
and alarming of flowrates or
levels of critical fluid layers, such as
emulsion layers, foams, liquids and
slurries. Unlike density displacers,
which are often used for level and
interface control, the FLT93S switch
relies on specific heat-transfer properties
of the media to identify the
interface of different products, says
the company. Level/interface accuracy
is ±0.25 in. and measurement
repeatability is ±0.125 in., says the
company. The standard unit withstands
operating temperatures from
-40 to 350°F, and an optional configuration
is available for temperatures
from -100 to 850°F. - Fluid
Components International LLC, San
Marcos, Calif.
www.fluidcomponents.com
Ultrasonic level transmitter
measures liquids and slurries
The Sitrans LU150 (photo) is a noncontacting
ultrasonic transmitter
with a range of 16 ft. The two-wire,
4-20-mA loop-powered transmitter
incorporates the sensor and the
electronics in a single compact unit.
It can be used for continuous level
measurement of liquids, slurries
and bulk materials in both open and
closed vessels. It is designed primarily
for use in the water, wastewater
and energy-management industries.
The Sitrans LU150 has a rugged,
fully encapsulated polyvinylidene
fluoride (PVDF) transmitter that is resistant
to corrosion, chemicals and
extreme shock. With only two cables
to be connected, the Sitrans LU150
can be installed quickly and easily.
The company's Sonic Intelligence
signal-processing software deliv

http://www.fluidcomponents.com http://www.binmaster.com http://www.Chemengonline.Com

Chemical Engineering March 2016

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