On
June 28, Monitor held its first web seminar for 2004. Web seminars
are a free service available to all those registered at the “For
Engineers” section of the monitor website, as part of Monitor’s
SecureCareSM program. This seminar was titled, “Accuracy
of Continuous Level Measurement Systems in Dry Bulk Applications
and Performance Expectations”. It was hosted by Monitor’s
Technical Sales Support Manager, Greg DeRudder.
Level measurement suppliers offer systems that calculate
the volume/ weight of powders and bulk solids stored in silos,
hoppers and bins from a direct distance (level) measurement. End-users
continuously attempt to match system calculated volumes/ weights
to weigh scale tickets from material deliveries. This seminar re-viewed
the various parameters that can affect the accuracy of a continuos
level measurement system, and explain (and hopefully minimize)
any discrepancies.
In the seminar Greg DeRudder reviewed the factors
that can contribute significant errors to volume/ weight calculations,
including. . .
| • |
Silo
dimensions
(height/width/inside diameter) |
| • |
Cone
height |
| • |
Corrugated
wall construction |
| • |
Bulk
density |
| • |
Various
material flow charactoristics |
The
effect certain dimensional parameters would have on the calculated
weight of a silo holding 352,000 actual
pounds of material were quantified. The silo in this example
was 47 feet high, 15 feet
in diameter, and had an 8 foot cone, with a 1 foot discharge.
Small errors in the dimensions of these parameters could result
in individual errors of 3000+ pounds, and produce an accumulated
error of 26,000+ pounds.
Greg
went on to present a list of recommendations to optimize the
accuracy
of a level measurement system. The most
important of which is to “obtain accurate dimensional and
bulk density data”.
Bottom
Line: In this seminar Greg demonstrated that with the proper
care, the potential accuracy of continuous level
measurement systems, whether weight & cable, ultrasonic or
even other technologies, can rival the accuracy of direct mass
measurement from a load cell system, but at up to 1/3 the cost.
Those who missed the original broadcast of the seminar
will be able to see it at their convenience by visiting the Monitor
web site (www.monitortech.com).
Monitor plans to host additional
web seminars. | 
Web
Seminar Launched!
