Low dielectric level measurement success

22nd October 2003    

A major European pharmaceutical manufacturer has adopted KROHNE?s BM 70 radar level gauge as standard for the complex level measurement of low dielectric products in its reactor pans across the UK, after it outperformed a range of competitors? equipment

The manufacturer needed to measure levels in heated glass-lined reactor vessels, or ?pans?, containing a mix of solvents, namely Toluene and water used in development trials and production duties.  The low dielectric of the product, around 2.0, required careful antenna selection to ensure continuous accurate measurement.

Load cells had previously been used to measure the levels, but some of these were over 14 years old and caused problems due to their inaccuracy and high maintenance costs.

KROHNE began field trials on the application with its BM 70 continuous, non-contact FMCW (Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave) level meter.  A BM 70 was fitted with a 6? horn antenna and a high-temperature extension, ensuring suitability for excessive product temperatures.  Since the tank opening was only 4? in diameter, KROHNE fitted the gauge with an antenna extension, allowing the antenna to be fitted from inside the pan.

After several months of comparative trials using KROHNE products and competitors? equipment, KROHNE?s BM 70 proved to be the gauge achieving the most reliable results.  The manufacturer subsequently decided to use KROHNE radar level gauges on its pans that were being updated.

All BM 70 gauges were supplied with FFKM seals and Hastelloy® antennae, offering excellent corrosion resistance and ensuring their suitability for any other level applications on site.

The gauges were also supplied with Ex-i current outputs with Hart protocol allowing remote programming and communication with KROHNE PC-CAT software for windows.  PC ?CAT allows convenient remote control of all functions of the signal converter.  The vessel can be shown in schematic form together with all the associated measured values. PC-CAT files can later be used to analyse the performance of the level gauge.

To date, KROHNE has supplied the manufacturer with over 100 BM 70 level gauges, and has also installed BM 70 A PTFE wave sticks on smaller vessels, typically around one metre high.  BM 70 wave sticks can be fitted on DN50 flanges due to their slim profile.

KROHNE?s BM 70 level gauge is widely used for highly accurate level and volume measurement of liquids, pastes, slurries, solids and particulate materials in storage and process tanks.