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IBG - SA Instrumentation & Control Buyers' Guide

June 2008 News

K-TEK AFRICA’s regional sales manager for the Africa region, Leon Botha, is confident that when it comes to automating the handling of difficult materials in the power generation industry, its range of instruments and experience in the field has the company ideally positioned. Laser-M scanners and positioning instruments are already recognised internationally for their accuracy, reliability and simplicity in operation. These have now been complemented by KAB Instruments’ range of ultrasonic sensors to provide a complete range of process automation solutions.

“The Eskom power generation facilities have been a very important proving ground for laser measurement technology in particular,” explains Leon; “There are probably not many more challenging opportunities in the field of handling dry bulk solids, than the systems for delivery and storage of raw coal that fuels the power boilers at most of South Africa’s electricity generating plants. Coal arrives continuously at the row of storage bunkers on belted conveyors and a tripper car moves the delivery conveyor between loading chutes to replenish fuel consumed by the boilers.

“The instruments measuring levels, flow rates and tripper car position are required to operate in an extremely dusty environment and minimal downtime for repairs and maintenance is absolutely essential,” continues Leon. “Success lies as much in the quality of instrumentation as it does in the selection of appropriate technology.

“The Eskom application demands continual monitoring of the rate of coal delivery, the level of coal in each bunker and the position of the tripper car at any point in time. Any inaccuracy or unreliability in the measuring system could cause a bunker overflow, conveyor belt overload, or the tripper car to dump coal in the wrong area entirely.”

Leon comments further that: “The LM2D laser scanner accurately measures the volume of solid material flowing along a conveyor belt. Its multiple output capability gives flow, speed and cross sectional area information in familiar 4-20 mA format. The unit is very easy to install even onto existing conveyor systems, meaning that plant upgrades and retrofits are no problem at all.

“KAB instruments ultrasound technology is used to measure the level of raw coal inside each bunker. The SUMPI ultrasonic level transmitter and FAB10F foam face transducer are specifically designed to operate in dusty environments and can measure solids up to 15 m. In the unlikely event that the continuous measurement system should fail, KCAP high and low level switches are fitted to each bunker, as a final precautionary measure.”

For more information contact Leon Botha, K-TEK AFRICA, +27 (0)11 435 5380, info@ktekcorp.co.za, www.ktekcorp.co.za

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