Technology/IT ¦ IDM
May/June 2022 ¦ international-dairy.com · 23
devices. These latest transmitters provide an accurate, compact
and cost-effective continuous level measurement solution that is
ideal for the industry’s requirements.
The devices are top-mounted, which enables them to minimize
the risk of product loss through leakage, while changes in product
density, viscosity and temperature do not affect their measurement
accuracy. They use frequency modulated continuous wave
(FMCW) technology and smart algorithms to maximize measurement
accuracy and reliability, even in space-constrained skids and
challenging, fast-filling vessels. They do not require calibration,
and they have minimal maintenance requirements thanks to their
lack of moving parts. Also, because they do not touch the surface
of the product being measured, there is no risk of contamination.
Here are some examples of how these innovative new noncontacting
radar level transmitters are already providing significant
benefits for manufacturers.
Storage tanks
It is important for dairy manufacturers to store products in the right
quantities, as this helps ensure that their processes run smoothly,
so they can maximize production capability, and reduce production
variations, leading to increased product quality and batch
consistency. To achieve this, they should install highly accurate and
reliable devices to help maintain precise control of the level in their
storage tanks (see figure 1).
Radar transmitters rely on reflected signals, also known as echoes,
to perform level measurements. The latest non-contacting
devices use fast sweep technology to provide a continuous echo
against the product surface. This enables them to collect up to
40 times more information than legacy instruments, which makes
their measurements more accurate and reliable.
Increased measurement accuracy is important in avoiding
product wastage. This is because inaccurate measurements can
sometimes result in storage tanks being falsely identified as empty,
and large volumes of product being washed away when cleaning
processes begin.
Another important challenge for dairy manufacturers is to
maximize tank utilization, so they can keep up with customer
demand and increase revenue. The design of the latest non-contacting
radar level transmitters enables them to perform accurate
measurements to the very top of the tank, where there would previously
have been a dead zone. This enhancement optimizes tank
utilization and production capacity, helping to increase throughput
and profitability.
Figure 2:
The exceptional radar
beam focusing of the
latest non-contacting
radar level transmitters
enables obstructions
in mixing and
blending tanks to be
avoided.
Figure 1:
The latest noncontacting
radar
transmitters deliver
highly accurate
and reliable level
measurements,
helping manufacturers
maintain
precise control of
the product level
in storage tanks.
/international-dairy.com
