Dependable boiler water level monitoring
June 2003
Level Measurement & Control
Failure to detect low water levels in steam-raising plants can have costly and potentially disastrous consequences. Reliable water level detection is vital to prevent damage to the plant and its personnel. Modern boilers are designed to provide clean dry steam. Detection of incorrect water level in the drum is essential: too high a level can give wet steam, leading to turbine blade erosion, and if the level is too low, the boiler tubes can overheat, with the danger of explosion.
The Hydrastep electronic gauging system, manufactured by Solartron Mobrey and distributed in SA by Dupleix, is a 'fit and forget' solution to overcome the problems associated with unreliable, maintenance intensive gauge glasses. Hydrastep is fail-safe and fault tolerant.
The Hydrastep system consists of a water column fitted with up to 32 electrodes, an electronic measuring unit, local and remote displays, and connecting cables. Each of these components is available with a specification to provide outstandingly reliable, cost effective protection in any application.
Features include:
* Modular system to match requirements.
* Choice of 8 to 32 electrode resolution.
* Multiple remote displays.
* Up to 10 trips/alarms operable at selected water levels.
* Electrodes are continuously monitored for open or short circuit conditions.
* Fault indication on all displays.
* Multisegment LEDs provide built in redundancy.
* All signal path wiring continuously monitored.
* Dual independent power supplies provide fail operational condition.
* No junction boxes required - fully tested spliced cable as standard.
* Zero maintenance - fit and forget.
* No nuisance trips, no lost revenue.
* No missed incidents.
* Approved by insurance companies.
Hydrastep offers high levels of security. All measurements are interpreted as water, steam or contamination. Both short and open circuit conditions are detected and indicated as faults. Its makers claim a missing a trip condition amounting to less than 1 in 3 000 000 000, and that nuisance trips are less than 1 in 107.
For further information please contact Dave Rosser, DLM, 011 457 0500, [email protected], www.dlm.co.za
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