Concern about inaccurate measurement readings on open flow channels supplying farms in the Northern Cape prompted a local water treatment and supply company to approach Vega for a demonstration of its non-contact radar technology for the water industry. The company was not achieving the precision it required with the existing ultrasonic sensors it had installed.
Both the water flow volumes and the level of the channels needed to be monitored accurately, as these controlled the sluice gates that let the water through to the various farms in the area. Inaccurate flow readings were not only impacting the volumes that the farmers were being charged for, but also the levels could not be reliably controlled. The net result was numerous channel overflows and an unacceptable waste of water.
The recommendation was for a Vegapuls WL61 as it offered the required accuracy of 2 mm across the required measurement range; the user purchased one sensor for the purpose of field trials. An awkward challenge that had to be overcome during installation was the limited space available due to the nature of the application; ultimately this did not prove to be a problem as the sensor’s echo processing software proved its worth under these difficult operating conditions.
Diagram of Vegapuls WL61 suspended above a channel.
The output of the Vegapuls WL61 is processed by a separate signal conditioning unit with all performance data being logged and monitored. Two and a half months into operation the user commented that the Vega solution was enabling good control and a reliable water supply to the organisations' regional customers.
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