At the Johannesburg branch’s August Technology Evening, Endress+Hauser’s Lita Mpahlwa presented on the principles, challenges and application solutions offered for level measurement and control. The two most popular level measurement principles are ToF (Time of Flight) and capacitive, other methods include nuclear, hydrostatic, differential pressure, electromechanical, vibration and paddle switch.
Eric Carter presents Lita Mpahlwa with the SAIMC presenter’s certificate
The ToF principle typically operates by the emission of ultrasound or electromagnetic pulses, reflection and reception of the echos from the product surface, and measurement of the time of flight. The most common types of level instrumentation based on the ToF principle are ultrasonic, radar and guided radar.
Challenges faced in level measurement of liquids and solids include extremes such as high and varying temperature, pressure, density, dielectric constant, presence of turbulence and foam, irregular material surface level and suspended particles.
In many challenging applications either multiple measuring instruments or a combination of technologies is used to get the correct measurement. In more severe applications such as abrasive, corrosive, toxic media, extreme temperatures and high pressures; the nuclear principle is proposed. So, the challenge facing instrumentation personnel is choosing the right measuring principle for the right application.
We thank Lita for this enlightening and well received presentation.
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