Level measurement in harsh applications
March 2010
Level Measurement & Control
One of the most hazardous by-products of the petrochemical industry is ammonia. This caustic chemical, used principally in fertilisers and commercial cleaning products, is produced using the synthetic gases generated in crude oil distillation, or alternatively using natural gas.
Due to ammonia’s strong diffusion capability, the requirements placed on the sensor materials used for measuring liquid level in the pressurised vessels where the chemical is stored are especially high. Vega says this is where measurement using the guided microwave, or TDR, principle is particularly appropriate, as the emission frequencies of guided microwave sensors are not subject to signal damping. The ideal solution for this application is Vega’s Vegaflex 66 with a graphite seal protecting the signal interface and providing durable and reliable sensor isolation.
Vega is also a leading supplier of contact-less radar level sensors, which are available with ceramic antenna components and a graphite seal, suited to the extreme conditions in the distillation process. The Vegapuls 66 can be mounted on existing reference vessels and used at temperatures up to 400°C, while the Vegapuls 62 with its small dimensions and powerful signal focusing, lends itself to continuous level measurement for leakage monitoring. The high sensitivity of the Vegapuls 68 is ideal for measuring the level of liquid gas and can be retrofitted on spherical or horizontal cylindrical tanks without the usual standpipes and without emptying the vessel.
For more information contact John Groom, Vega Instruments SA, +27 (0)11 958 1901, [email protected], www.vega.com
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