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TrueCap® RF Capacitance Stub Probe Level Sensor for Tight Spaces or to Limit Material Flow Force on Probe

TrueCap® Stub Probe Version

The wide product selection is a major reason why Monitor's TrueCap® RF capacitance probe is a popular and versatile point level sensor for a large range of powder and bulk solid, liquid and slurry applications. Optional versions include high temperature, hazardous location, stub probe, food grade probe, quick-connect process connection, high level sensing with pipe or cable extensions and more. 

For instance, the stub probe model (a shorter version of the standard probe) allows the TrueCap to be used in tighter spaces, used to limit mechanical forces placed on the probe from material flow or to keep the probe out of the main material stream. In addition, the TrueCap design provides automatic immunity to material build-up on the probe by its driven shield design. Options for the TrueCap® stub probe model include a 3/4 inch / 1-1/4 inch combination process connection for replacement or new installations and a probe with white nylon insulator for food grade applications. 

Outside View of Unloading Pit and TrueCap® Level Sensor

Inside View of Unloading Pit and TrueCap® Level Probe

The photos above show a stub probe model of the TrueCap® installed in the unloading pit of a grain handling elevator set-up. The TrueCap sends a signal based on the system design requirements that involves the unloading pit connected to a drag conveyor that feeds the bucket elevator to move the grain to a silo. In this situation, the TrueCap stub probe version was chosen because the shorter probe will help to limit the amount of mechanical force on the probe from the material (grain) flowing into the pit.     

 

For more details on the selection of Monitor's TrueCap® RF Capacitance level sensors please visit  http://www.monitortech.com/product_point.shtml#rf or e-mail: [email protected].

Mercury-Free tilt style bin level switch solution

TC-3 Tilt Switch

    

The model TC-3 tilt switch is a durable, easy-to-install and cost-effective way to provide high level detection of bulk solids.  Tilt switches are used to prevent overflow of solids from storage bins or to control material levels in open piles.  The tilt switch can also be used to prevent over loading or under loading of material on conveyor belts. One example would be when conveying grain to open piles a TC-3 tilt switch can signal when it is time to reposition the conveyor.

Illustration B

Typically, the unit is suspended above the material being detected.  Rising material makes contact with the switch enclosure actuator, causing it to tilt.  When the enclosure body is tilted by more than 17 degrees, a steel ball rolls off center causing an internal output switch to close, providing indication of high material level (see illustration B). The change in the internal switch status is user accessible for signaling alarms, lights, or interfacing with a PLC.

Other practical features of the TC-3 include no calibration, only a few moving parts for minimal maintenance, and the unit is completely Mercury-Free.
Optional extension actuators are also available.

The model TC-3 tilt switch is constructed from cast aluminum and is suited for moderately sized materials having a density of 15-60 lb/ft3 (240-960 kg/m3) or particle sizes less than 2 inches (50 mm).  Common application materials include, but not limited to grain, feed, pet food, sand and plastic pellets.

For more information on Monitor's tilt switches please visit:
http://www.monitortech.com/product_p_tilt.shtml

Mid-Term Elections

 

Well, well, well, here we are again, at another crossroad in our political landscape. 

The November mid-term elections are upon us and many political pundits view this election as one of great importance as we move forward.  The usual rote response from many I have spoken to concerning the economic recovery has been "wait until the election" in November.  My question is, although rhetorical, what exactly will or will not happen after the election?  Will a swing in power make a difference?  Will companies that have been spending money stop spending? Will companies that have not been spending start to spend?

Obviously I have no way of knowing what may or may not happen.  I do believe that 2010 has been a better year for many of us than 2009 was, this is evident with our customers and our suppliers. Everyone seems to be busier and most are grateful for the economic upswing.

We still hear mention of the dreaded "double-dip recession".  Will we create this ourselves if we spend too much time listening to the news?  Will we create our own self-defeating economic situation?

I have no idea what will happen, but maybe, just maybe if we view the economic "positives" that I believe are happening we can solidify our recovery and get back to an economy that was more prosperous for all of us.

Please vote in November!

Scott Bonine

Are you stimulated?

Greetings,

I am sure that many of us are experiencing a slow-down in business regardless of what type of industry we are involved with.  The daily "doom and gloom" broadcast concerning the economy bombards us every time we turn on a TV, radio, or sign on to the Internet.

President Obama recently signed the $787 billion dollar stimulus package, I have not read the 1000 page plus document so I do not know many of the details! 

My question is simple, what do you think the stimulus will do for you and your company?

Please let me know your thoughts!

Thanks,

Scott Bonine

Director of Sales

Technorati Tags: level sensor level measurement bin level indicator solids level indicator

Ethanol production is good for level measurement and good for the world.....

Ethanol production require a vast amount and variety of process measurement instrumentation as part of the overll automation and control of the plant processes.  For level measurement there are applications throughout the process from monitoring inventories of raw corn to helping to control dryers, to the monitoring of storage vessels containing the finished product.  But recently we have begun to hear in the media a number of comments talking about how bad Ethanol production is and has been.  It has increased the demand for corn and driven food prices up.  Well perhaps in the short term that is true but living out here in the corn belt of Illinois I can tell you that this country has more corn than you can imagine.  And, corn is not the only raw ingredient that Ethanol can be produced from, it is just the most common right now.

The point I want to make is in regards to the impact Ethanol production has on the world supply and cost of fuel.  I point to a study and report recently issued by LECG.  First, LECG (I have no idea what LECG stands for) is a "global expert services" firm.  They do studies and render expert opinions on a number of subjects.  Well, the Renewable Fuels Association had them do an impact study of Ethanol on the cost of crude oil.  That's right.  They answered the question "what would the impact be on crude oil prices today if Ethanol production did not exist?".  Well before I tell you what they found out let me tell you that they reported that the amount of Ethanol produced in the world in 2007 was 17 billion gallons.  The majority of this was produced in the USA and Brazil.  In 2008 it is projected that this production will increase by 20% to 20.4 billion gallons.

There appear to be complexities in calculating the impact of Ethanol on crude oil prices and I don't have the time, nor the patience, to dig into it and report it here for you, but the report by the LECG indicates that crude oil would cost another $35.70 per barrel if it weren't for the production of Ethanol.  Think about the effect of that on the price per gallon of gasoline next time you fill up and next time you drive by a corn field, or next time you hear someone talk down the Ethanol industry.

A complete editorial about the LECG report can be found written by editor Myke Feinman of Bieofuels Journal magazine.  The editorial appears on page 110 of the May/June 2008 issue.

Want to know more about the level measurement and monitoring applications in an Ethanol production operation?  Download this file.  It's a white paper on that subject. Download WhitePaper_EthanolSolutions.pdf   

Joe Lewis

Technorati Tags: Ethanol level sensor level measurement bin level indicator level control solids level indicator guided wave radar

Election connection ..........

I am sure that many of you have grown weary of the election already, this one seems like it has been going on forever. 

The 24-hour media outlets do a good job of saturating us with constant updates concerning the front-runners and don't forget the latest celebrity endorsements.  Thanks to Oprah and Chuck Norris ...... if I cannot make up my own mind, a celebrity will be happy to do it for me. The worst is yet to come as we get closer to November!  For some help in seeing differences between the candidates, click here.

But this isn't really anything new.  The reason I wanted to post about the election is because of the effect that such things have on our economy.  A recent report from a market study company indicates that business investment plans dropped by 40% in January from December.  Many are brewing up a recession in their minds and all the talk doesn't help.  However, recently I have seen articles in trade publications like Concrete Producer February issue indicate and prognosticate that the recession fears are not going to come to fruiting. 
My question to you here is do you think that business will be influenced by the fact that this is an election year?  Are you expecting things in your business to pick up or slow down?

Please let me know your thoughts,

Scott Bonine
National Sales Manager
Monitor Technologies