Portable sludge density analyser

June 2003 Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring

Protea Automation Solutions have introduced a new handheld interface analyser for monitoring the depth of sludge deposits and sludge densities in applications such as sewage treatment plants, mining thickeners, settling ponds, clarifiers and various water treatment facilities.

The Hawk PIA instrument is designed to operate with a submersible transducer using sonar technology, within a density range of 0 to 20 000 mg/1. A metal reflector plate is mounted 60 mm from the transducer output and the change in echo speed is processed and transmitted to the handheld instrument by cable connection. The instrument will accurately show the depth of the transducer below the surface as well as sludge density thus the depth of the sludge deposit can be obtained.

Because the analyser uses sonar technology, it is not affected by colour change (eg use of ferric chloride). A single sensor works on all density levels, including applications with heavy solids, such as the DAF (dissolved air flotation) area in a sewage treatment plant. In operation, the transducer is immersed below the surface of the liquid. A simple pushbutton function will auto-calibrate the instrument to zero. Lowering the transducer into the vessel will see the display change in percentage, as the density changes. An audible alarm can be set for desired density level.

The remote analyser is sealed to IP67 and the transducer, in a stainless steel enclosure, to IP68. The transducer is provided with 10 m of cable and the kit comes in a metal carrying case.

For more information contact Jerry Smits, Protea Automation Solutions, 011 719 5700, pas@protea.co.za, www.protea.co.za

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