80Ghz liquid level measurement ideal for pilot plants

The unrivalled focusing of VEGAPULS 64 allows for more flexibility for small vessels in the chemical industry

In recent years, non-contact and contact radar level measurement technology has taken over many applications in the chemical industry. The big advantage of radar technology is its immunity to process conditions such as temperature, pressure and density. With the new VEGAPULS 64, levels can now be measured in applications where the process and/or structural conditions were previously not suitable for radar.

The current trend in the chemical industry is towards smaller, specialized batches. This results in equipment and containers with reduced volume. But engineers everywhere, including those in technical centres and pilot installations, ran up against limits again and again when they tried to use radar level measurement technology in very small production setups. Especially factors like the dead band of the sensors, the size and design of the antennas as well as the measurement uncertainty at the tank bottom often led them to use weighing systems or differential pressure transmitters instead.  

The new VEGAPULS 64, the world’s first radar level sensor for liquids with 80 GHz, now has an antenna system integrated directly into the process fitting. Since no antenna protrudes into the vessel, it is possible to measure up to the process fitting itself. This gives greater flexibility because practically all of the container volume can be utilized.

Thanks to the tightly focused measuring beam – with an antenna diameter of 80 mm, the transmission signal has an opening angle of just 3° –  using the instrument in tanks with heating coils and agitators has become much easier. It also offers a significant advantage for use in small vessels and pilot plants  –  antenna and process fittings from only ¾” G. It is also able to look through glass windows, into small glass vessels or non metallic tanks made in GRP and plastic, offering even greater flexibility.  A major advantage of VEGAPULS 64 is its larger dynamic range, which results in higher measurement certainty, especially when there is build up, condensate, foam or a turbulent liquid surface in the vessel.

This new technology has many extraordinary capabilities to meet modern process challenges. It therefore looks set to revolutionise liquid level measurement across many industries, not just the Chemical sector. To find out more go to www.vega.com/radar