Level Measurement Blog Feed

Low cost, easy to maintain level indicator

Models PAC-30U and PDC-30 proximity level switches are used to detect the presence or absence of many materials including low-dielectric substances. The optional mounting well provides easy sensor removal, if needed, without having to wait for your hopper, bin or tank to become empty. These compact capacitance-style level sensors are excellent for those hard to reach and tight areas. Additional features include easy installation and calibration, adjustable sensing distances, fully electronic (no moving parts) and LED status indicator. 

Monitor Technologiesoffers two different models of solid state, capacitance-style proximity switches.  The PAC-30U is an AC operated unit that is a universal, switch selectable for either normally open or normally closed operation.  The  PDC-30 is monitor’s DC operated unit and is available in either PNP or NPN configurations, each of which can be wired in a normally open or normally closed operation mode.  Please visit www.monitortech.com.

Quick-Connect Process Connection for RF Capacitance Silo Level Sensor

 


Quick-Connect Process Connection Probe
(Shown with Optional Clamp, Gasket and Ferrule)

 

Monitor Technologies’ TrueCap^® Model MK-2 RF Capacitance point level sensor is available with a “quick-connect” tri-clamp process connection that provides easy installation and removal of the unit for cleaning purposes. This connection has no exposed threads and offers an affordable solution for basic sanitation situations not requiring 3A rating. The “quick-connect” tri-clamp is available for the Ryton® and Nylon (food grade) versions of the standard and stub probes. Also, it can accommodate both a 1” and 1-1/2” ferrule size.

The TrueCap^® Model MK-2 RF Capacitance point level sensor is designed to provide a superior and stable sensitivity threshold making it suitable for a variety of powder and bulk solids, liquid and slurry applications. Advanced features of the Model MK-2 include automatic immunity to material build-up on the probe by its driven shield design, push-button calibration, enhanced temperature compensation and maximized reliability via smart sensing algorithms like “self-validating” fail-safe protection.

Please visit http://www.monitortech.com/product_p_rf2.shtml or call 1-630-365-9403 for more information.

Related articles

Silo Patrol provides level measurement for solid / liquid interface applications

Silo Patrol® provides level measurement for solid / liquid interface applications

  The Silo Patrol^® plumb bob “smart” level sensor from Monitor Technologies can be equipped with an optional stainless steel interface style plumb bob in order to provide continuous level measurement for settled solids in a blanket of water. The interface style plumb bob will penetrate through the water, make contact with the surface of the solid material and then retract to provide a level measurement. Examples of material applications that have been successful include sand, salt, corn, rice, potatoes and similar items that are covered by a layer of water. Interface with other liquids besides water may also be possible. Please check with Monitor regarding specific applications.

The SiloPatrol uses time-proven weight and cable techniques and combines Hall Effect sensor technology, state-of-the-art sealed bi-directional optical sensing, a split-compartment enclosure design, isolated outputs, SMT (surface mount electronic technology) and other valuable features to produce a rugged, reliable and accurate measuring system designed for the harshest and most dynamic conditions. In addition, a variety of operator interface devices and software, like SiloTrack software, are available to calculate and display material level inventory data.

Please visit www.monitortech.com for more details.

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

Flexar® can provide dependable continuous level sensing in the production of activated carbon

 
Figure 1


Figure 2

Activated carbon, also known as activated charcoal, is a carbon product that has been put through a process to make it very porous. It is then used in the purification of air and water, the cleanup of environmental spills and the capturing of volatile compounds. For example, activated carbon is used in mercury emission control systems for coal-fired power plants. Activated carbon can be derived from a variety of raw materials including coal, lignite, coconut shells, nutshells, wood and other agricultural by-products. The Flexar® guided wave radar level sensor (see Figure 1) has been used to provide continuous inventory management for most of these raw materials. The Flexar has also been used to control inventory on the finished forms of activated carbon such as granular, pelletized, and powdered states. Figure 2 shows an original material (nutshells) on the left and the activated carbon product that is made on the right. Flexar sensors were chosen to provide real-time continuous level control in the storage for both of these items. Flexar is very versatile because it is unaffected by dust, bulk density, temperature and other properties. It can also be used for a variety of liquid applications.

Monitor Technologies’ Flexar^® guided wave radar sensor is a continuous level measurement system using TDR (time domain reflectometry) principles where radar pulses are focused down to the material surface by the unit's wave guide (a heavy duty cable) and the time-of-flight of the pulse reflection back to the instrument electronics is directly related to the empty distance in the vessel and the material level.

Benefits of Flexar^® include no moving parts for less wear and tear, easy installation and setup with minimal to no field calibration required, a universal power supply for high or low voltage options and a choice of RS-485 or analog 4-20mA output. It can also be interfaced with the SiloTrack inventory management software. For more details on Flexar guided wave radar please visit www.flexar.info

 

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

Auxiliary Output Enclosure (AOE) Satisfies Input Needs for other Plant Systems

  

When choosing a continuous level measurement system, in addition to an operator interface, sometimes a customer also wants to have an output to some other type of control system such as a PLC or DCS. Available outputs include both relay contacts and analog outputs.  To fulfill these requirements, Monitor developed an auxiliary output enclosure (AOE) capable of housing as many as four output cards containing either relay outputs, analog outputs or a combination of both. When controlled by our HMI2 operator interface, each SiloPatrol® SMUse level sensor can drive one analog and up to two relay outputs. If SiloTrack Inventory Management Software is the operator interface, the number of analog outputs assignable remains at one analog output per sensor but there can be up to four relay outputs per sensor. RS-485 communication wiring consists of a twisted pair that is shielded and installed in a daisy chain fashion. Since the auxiliary output enclosure is also an RS-485 driven device, the AOE can be placed anywhere along the RS-485 communication network. Placement of the AOE in close proximity to a PLC or DCS reduces the amount of additional wiring necessary to connect the AOE outputs to the inputs of these other devices. This will significantly reduce the amount of interface wiring that would normally be required by standard analog output sensor wiring practices.

Flexar® guided wave radar level sensors that are used in conjunction with SiloTrack Inventory Management Software can also drive an auxiliary output enclosure as previously described.

Auxiliary output enclosures are available in either two or four output card configurations. (Two card version shown above.)  The two types of output cards can be mixed or matched. Flexar® guided wave radar and SiloPatrol® SMUse sensors may not currently coexist on the same RS-485 communication network. Consult Monitor's Technical Support group for selection of the correct SiloTrack product offering if your over-all sensor system design requires the use of both SiloPatrol SMUse and Flexar guided wave radar sensors.

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

Affordable Bin Aeration-You can leave the hammer at home!

Have you ever looked near the discharge area of a silo or hopper?  Have you ever noticed how banged up this area often looks? Have you ever seen a hammer located nearby? My guess is that we have all seen evidence where someone has severely beat the discharge area of a silo or hopper with a large blunt object to help empty the silo. Admittedly, I enjoy beating things with a hammer as much as the next guy but I would prefer to keep this hobby reserved for home "repair" projects.

In addition to several different types of remarkable level controls, Monitor also offers products to help fluidize materials so they will discharge freely from the vessel.  One of the most popular items we provide to assist in the flow of dry bulk powders from storage vessels is the rectangular air pad. The air pad operates by introducing air into the body of dry powder, this action fluidizes the material once it has "settled" after the target material was initially conveyed into the vessel. For best results multiple rows of air pads are often used depending on the vessel size and the bulk density of the target material  The number of rows and quantities will differ by each application.  One of our application engineers can assist by recommending a possible air pad solution for your specific material flow problem.

Air pads are very affordable and simple to install, different materials of construction and diffuser material are available depending on the application. The Monitor air pad can easily install in existing cut outs of other brands. Air supply requirements are minimal, typically 3-5 PSI.

Please give us a call to discuss your application, typical applications include but are not limited to:

• CEMENT  
• FLY ASH
• CARBON BLACK
• BENTONITE
• LIME
• GYPSUM
• FLOUR

We look forward to hearing from you.

Best regards,

Scott Bonine
Director of Sales
www.monitortech.com

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

Get fed automatically

Want to read the Level Measurement weblog whenever their is a new posting?  Want to read it without coming back to the blog to check to see if anything is new?  You can make that happen.  Ever hear about RSS feeds and newsreaders?  A newsreader is a free web tool you can use to read any blog you subscribe to.  It's simple and there are lots of blogs out their, close to 80 million as we speak.  I use bloglines and I recommend it, though there are many others.

It's quick and easy to begin using a newsreader.  Go to Bloglines and register if you don't already have a newsreader you use.  The registration process is quick and easy and you can use it for subscribing to as many blogs or RSS feeds as you want.  After you register with a user name and password, just subscribe to the Level Measurement blog by copying the blog URL into the subscribe page at Bloglines.  If you want to learn more about using RSS feeds and newsreaders I recommend Seth Godin's blog post on this subject as he is very knowledgeable and can be entertaining too.

Once you are setup using Bloglines or some other newsreader you can also subscribe to this and other blogs by clicking on the subscribe link usually present in any blog.  Ours is in the upper right hand area of the main blog page just about the category listings.

If you need assistance, give us a call or email me.

Joe Lewis
Vice President
Monitor Technologies LLC

(note: comments and recommendations contained in this blog posting are personal opinion of the author and does not represent any view, position or strategy of Monitor Technologies LLC)

Welcome!

Monitor Technologies LLC offers superior solutions in level monitoring, solids flow detection, particle emission monitoring and bin aeration.

In the Press Release section, you will find information pertaining to Monitor Technologies press releases. Feel free to comment, question some of these Press Release blogs.

Let us put our creative solutions to work for you!