| The technology surrounding the radar level gauge has | | | | How does Radar Transmitter Measurement Work? |
| vastly improved in the last ten years, mainly due to | | | | Millions of short microwave pulses are generated |
| the innovative leaders continuously improving radar | | | | every second by the electronics and transmitted out |
| technology. They have made non-contact radar | | | | of the instrument using either a rod or horn antenna |
| transmitters a level measurement technique that is to | | | | system. The pulses are directed down to the liquid or |
| easy to use and understand, offering a real usable | | | | solid surface by the antenna system and are |
| alternative to differential pressure transmitters and | | | | reflected back to the instrument. It is known that |
| displacers. Let's look at some questions that you | | | | the pulses travel at the speed of light, which means |
| might have about radar level gauges. | | | | that measuring the time taken between transmission |
| What are the Main Industries Radar Transmitters are | | | | and receipt of a pulse can give the distance that the |
| used in? | | | | pulse has travelled, and hence the distance to the |
| The radar level gauge is very industrially friendly, as it | | | | product surface. This process is a continuous |
| can be used for level measurement of both solids | | | | measurement. |
| and liquids in all sort of environments - I mean just | | | | Why Should I use Radar Level Measurement? |
| look at the examples of where you can use it below. | | | | Because radar transmitters are so versatile, they can |
| Where Can I Use a Radar Level Gauge? | | | | fit into your process by being top mounted, side |
| As mentioned above, you can use these non contact | | | | mounted and even put on the outside, as the radar |
| radar transmitters for level measurement in tanks | | | | works through glass or plastic. Using a radar level |
| and vessels for liquids and solids. In fact, you can use | | | | gauge also has the following advantages: |
| them for almost any liquid and solids in processing or | | | | - You can maximise your vessel capacity with very |
| storage environment because this technology is so | | | | small blocking distances |
| versatile. This versatility means that the radar | | | | - You can install or change radar transmitters without |
| measurement is not affected by changes in the | | | | the need to empty your tank , so the process will |
| process like dust, temperature, gas vapors or | | | | not be interrupted. |
| pressure. As the radar gauges are non contact and | | | | - Once again the process does not need to be |
| versatile, you can rely on their performance. | | | | interrupted when commissioning, which can be |
| The most modern and innovative radar measurement | | | | accurately done on or off line, without the need to |
| units have built in linearization software, which | | | | change the level |
| calculates the level versus shape and provides a | | | | - The radar level gauge has no moving parts, which |
| volume output on the following example types of | | | | means there will be no drift or recalibration required. |
| application: | | | | - Radar level gauges handle agitators and obstructions |
| - Level measurement in processes that use vessels, | | | | easily using specialized software |
| mixers, blenders, reactors and scrubbers. | | | | How Reliable is Radar? |
| - Liquid applications where hygiene is of utmost | | | | The better brands have SIL 2 (IEC 61508/615011) |
| importance like distillation and purified water. Radar is | | | | conformance on their radar level gauges, which is a |
| even suitable for water applications with water | | | | special evaluation required for high integrity |
| sprays. | | | | applications. To get this conformance the radar |
| - High temperature molten applications like metals, | | | | gauges have been tested for reliability and |
| coke products and minerals can be monitered | | | | performance for use on hazardous processes or |
| effectively with radar transmitters. | | | | products. These types of radar transmitters can be |
| - Storage vessel tank gauging. | | | | reliably used for level switching (high and low), |
| - Measuring the interfaces on liquids in difficult | | | | interface measurement, continuous level |
| applications | | | | measurement and tank gauging. |