Flexar® Guided Wave Radar Instrumental at New Ethanol Facility
The latest generation of an Ethanol producing plant is just about to go on-line in Wisconsin. The news story and video can be found at the link here. In addition, Monitor’s Flexar® guided wave radar level sensors are instrumental at this facility and used to measure changing levels of corn in various conditions. A total of seventeen Flexar sensors are installed. The benefit of guided wave radar is its continuous measurement capability, moderate cost, ease of installation and start-up. Guided wave radar technology is used in a wide variety of applications in many different industries. Its universal appeal is another reason for the fact that it is growing in popularity and use by some 21% per year (according to a recent market study).
Guided wave radar continuous level measurement sensors operate using TDR technology. TDR, or time domain reflectometry, has been in use measuring process levels since the early 1990's and is well proven in all types of liquid and bulk solids applications. The sensor electronics initiates microwave (radar) energy pulses continuously and these are focused and sent down a wave-guide (probe). The wave-guide is used to guide the energy to the material surface. This is advantageous and superior to open-air devices as you can imagine. The energy pulses reflect off the material surface and the time-of-flight is measured and related directly to the distance from the sensor to the material surface. Flexar level sensors are proven very reliable and accurate.
Flexar guided wave radar units work in a wide range of applications like corn in multiple Ethanol plant applications, plastic pellets, PVC resin and compound, calcium carbonate, clays, sand, cement, flyash and even seed. Monitor Technologies has been providing innovation level monitoring and measurement solutions for bulk solids and liquids for five decades. If you’d like more information about Flexar guided wave radar sensors or any of our other level measurement and monitoring solutions, please contact us at 1-800-766-6486 or visit our website at www.monitortech.com or www.flexar.info and our blog at www.monitortech.typepad.com
The
SafePoint rotary paddle level switch with a self-validating design
detects material presence plus continuously monitors its own ability
to function. The analysis includes sensor health and system power
failure, which makes the SafePoint truly “fail-safe”.
The SafePoint incorporates patented use of Hall-Effect technology,
dual outputs to indicate both material presence and unit health,
and microcontroller technology to continuously protect bulk solids
processing and storage from the consequences of unknown sensor
failure by providing immediate indication of a sensor failure
and confirmation of proper operation.
Other practical features of the SafePoint include rugged construction,
motor shut-off when paddle becomes impeded to maximize motor life, twist On/Off
cover for bolt free removal, and local status indicating light (except hazardous
location models)
A practical application for the SafePoint would be to use this "true"
fail-safe product if undetected sensor failure could result in a
catastrophic process problem.
