Earlier this year a coal processing plant was able to overcome a difficult level monitoring application with the new Vega solids radar monitor.
The application was in a coal dump truck reception hopper for raw, unprocessed coal. Here, the level reading needs to be reliable as it enables operators to ensure available capacity for the next truck, as well as keeping a 'heel' of material in the bottom to prevent falling product damaging the outlet and conveying system.
The bin dimensions are 12 m high and 10 m wide. To suppress the coal dust there is a water spray system in place. The customer had previously tried a number of different instrument technologies such as laser, ultrasonic and low frequency radar, with varying results. Mainly due to the dust and heavy build up all the devices required weekly cleaning to remain operational, far from ideal in this hazardous area of the plant.
Since installation of the new Vegapuls 68 solids radar with a parabolic antenna system, it has not been cleaned or needed any additional maintenance whatsoever, even with the water spray dust suppression system running. The customer has since ordered an additional six units to replace all the existing level devices on this application.
The Vegapuls 68 is a 70-metre range, 2-wire loop powered radar sensor. It uses microwaves to measure level which means it is unaffected by dust, air movement and temperature. It also features ultra high sensitivity signal processing and sharp focusing, and is the start of a new era of reliability for non-contact level measurement.
For more information contact Alan Wynn, Vega Instruments, 011 958 1901, [email protected]
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