At the June technology evening, Lita Mpahlwa of Aveng ACS presented on radar level measurement. There are many physical and application variables that affect the selection of the optimal level monitoring method for industrial and commercial processes.
Mike Banda (right) presents Lita Mpahlwa with the SAIMC presenter’s certificate.
Radar level instruments are widely used to measure the level of liquids, slurries as well as many solids in storage tanks in refineries and tank terminals. These instruments operate in a wide range of temperatures, pressures, vapour gas mixtures and various process conditions.
Radar level instruments measure the distance from the transmitter /sensor to the surface of a process material. They use radio waves rather than sound waves. Radio waves are electromagnetic in nature (comprised of alternating electric and magnetic fields) with very high frequency in the microwave frequency range – GHz.
Radar sensors are executed in a wide variety of techniques. Two basic signal processing techniques are applied, each offering its own advantages: pulsed or time-domain reflectometry (TDR), which is a measurement of time of flight divided by the speed of light, similar to an ultrasonic level sensor; and Doppler systems employing frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) techniques. The two main applications for radar sensors are in high precision bulk storage and custody transfer and in process tanks with harsh measuring conditions where faster update rates are required.
Some other topics covered were:
• The radar spectrum.
• High and low dielectric constant.
• Pulse radar measurement principle.
• FMCW measurement principle.
• Antenna selection considerations.
• Ambient temperature influence.
• FMCW leading safety innovation.
• Advantages of FMCW.
The SAIMC would like to thank Lita for his informative presentation, which was well received. This was followed by an interactive Q&A session.
Dates to diarise:
The JHB branch will be hosting the Annual SAIMC Golf Day on 21 October 2016 at the Kempton Park Golf course.
The SAIMC annual banquet will be held on 30 September 2016.
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