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Weight-based Level Control

Weight-based level instruments sense process level in a vessel by directly measuring the weight of the vessel. If the vessel’s empty weight (tare weight) is known, process weight becomes a simple calculation of total weight minus tare weight. Obviously, weight-based level sensors can measure both liquid and solid materials, and they have the benefit of providing inherently linear mass storage measurement. Load cells (strain gauges bonded to a steel element of precisely known modulus) are typically the primary sensing element of choice for detecting vessel weight. As the vessel’s weight changes, the load cells compress or relax on a microscopic scale, causing the strain gauges inside to change resistance. These small changes in electrical resistance become a direct indication of vessel weight.

The following photograph shows three bins used to store powdered milk, each one supported by pillars equipped with load cells near their bases:

When multiple load cells are used to measure the weight of a storage vessel, the signals from all load cell units must be added together (“summed”) to produce a signal representative of the vessel’s total weight. Simply measuring the weight at one suspension point is insufficient, because one can never be sure the vessel’s weight is distributed equally amongst all the supports.

Weight-based measurements are often employed where the true mass of a quantity must be ascertained, rather than the level. So long as the material’s density is a known constant, the relationship between weight and level for a vessel of constant cross-sectional area will be linear and predictable. Constant density is not always the case, especially for solid materials, and so weight-based inference of vessel level may be problematic.

In applications where batch mass is more important than height (level), weight-based measurement is often the preferred method for portioning batches. You will find weight-based portion measurements used frequently in the food processing industries (e.g. consistently filling bags and boxes with product), and also for custody transfer of certain materials (e.g. coal and metal ore).

One very important caveat for weight-based level instruments is to isolate the vessel from any external mechanical stresses generated by pipes or machinery. The following illustration shows a typical installation for a weight-based measurement system, where all pipes attaching to the vessel do so through flexible couplings, and the weight of the pipes themselves is borne by outside structures through pipe hangers:

Stress relief is very important because any forces acting upon the storage vessel will be interpreted by the load cells as more or less material stored in the vessel. The only way to ensure that the load cell’s measurement is a direct indication of material held inside the vessel is to ensure that no other forces act upon the vessel except the gravitational weight of the material.

A similar concern for weight-based batch measurement is vibration produced by machinery surrounding (or on) the vessel. Vibration is nothing more than oscillatory acceleration, and the acceleration of any mass produces a reaction force (F = ma). Any vessel suspended by weight-sensing elements such as load cells will induce oscillating forces on those load cells if shaken by vibration. This concern in particular makes it quite difficult to install and operate agitators or other rotating machinery on a weighed vessel.

An interesting problem associated with load cell measurement of vessel weight arises if there are ever electric currents traveling through the load cell(s). This is not a normal state of affairs, but it can happen if maintenance workers incorrectly attach arc welding equipment to the support structure of the vessel, or if certain electrical equipment mounted on the vessel such as lights or motors develop ground faults. The electronic amplifier circuits interpreting a load cell’s resistance will detect voltage drops created by such currents, interpreting them as changes in load cell resistance and therefore as changes in material level. Sufficiently large currents may even cause permanent damage to load cells, as is often the case when the currents in question are generated by arc welding equipment.

A variation on this theme is the so-called hydraulic load cell which is a piston-and-cylinder mechanism designed to translate vessel weight directly into hydraulic (liquid) pressure. A normal pressure transmitter then measures the pressure developed by the load cell and reports it as material weight stored in the vessel. Hydraulic load cells completely bypass the electrical problems associated with resistive load cells, but are more difficult to network for the calculation of total weight (using multiple cells to measure the weight of a large vessel).

Power Specialties can assist you with all of your process weighing requirements. Visit their website at https://powerspecialties.com or call (816) 353-6550.



Reprinted from "Lessons In Industrial Instrumentation" by Tony R. Kuphaldt – under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Public License.

Calibration of the MSA Chillgard® Refrigerant Leak Monitor

The MSA Chillgard® 5000 Refrigerant Leak Detector provides continuous, real-time monitoring down to 1ppm. The Chillgard® 5000 Refrigerant Leak Monitor provides the earliest level of detection of costly refrigerant gas leaks in mechanical equipment rooms.

Calibrating the Chillgard® 5000 is easy. You can initiate a calibration with just the touch of a button on the dashboard. But before you begin calibrating, make sure you have all the necessary tools: demand flow type regulator; zero air scrubber; target gas or synthetic calibration cylinder. To begin, select the calibration button from the dashboard and pull out the calibration pen. The display will instruct you to insert the zero scrubber into the calibration port. Once inserted push the start button to perform the zero calibration. The unit will begin zeroing, and will display its progress. Once you've completed the zero calibration you'll see a calibration summary, then you'll be prompted to perform a span calibration. When instructed remove the zero scrubber. To begin the span calibration, select the target gas. Then confirm your cylinder concentration. If you prefer to use a synthetic gas, check the box on the screen. Apply cow gas to the calibration port, and then press start. The span calibration process will begin. Once the span calibration has finished, remove the cow gas, reinsert the calibration pen, and set a calibration reminder. The unit will return to the dashboard view. You can review a calibration summary, and the event log stores a history of past calibrations. Easy calibration means less maintenance and more uptime.

For more information, contact Power Specialties by visiting https://powerspecialties.com or by calling (816) 353-6550.

Highly Trained and Innovative Sales Engineers are Standing by, Ready to Assist

Power Specialties' highly trained and innovative Sales Engineers are standing by, ready to assist you with your next instrumentation and control requirement.  All of Power Specialties personnel are skilled in applying the best products for any given application. From discreet components to full systems integration, Power Specialties sales personnel possess the application experience and product knowledge needed to assure you select the safest, longest lasting, and most economical solution.

https://powerspecialties.com
(816) 353-6550

The MSA PrimaX Gas Monitor

Indoors or outdoors, the PrimaX Gas Transmitter provides dependable, accurate gas detection. The transmitter detects toxic gases and oxygen and is housed in an antistatic, reinforced nylon enclosure. It also has a large, easy-to-read LCD screen and attaches to an integral mounting plate for easy installation, while the built-in keypad makes for quick, simple calibration. To transmit data, the unit uses a 4-20 mA output signal and can also be configured to use HART digital communication. With easily replaced plug-in sensors, the PrimaX I transmitter is suitable for laboratories, chemical plants, power plants and several other industry settings.

For more information on the MSA PrimaX, download the presentation at this link, or contact Power Specialties by visiting https://powerspecialties.com or calling (816) 353-6550.

MSA PrimaX Gas Monitor from Power Specialties, Inc.

Presentation: The Yokogawa YS1000 Series as the Ideal Replacement to the Defunct Siemens/Moore 353 Process Controller

The video below is a slide presentation detailing how and why the Yokogawa YS1000 Series is the perfect alternative to the now defunct Siemens/Moore 353. If you need more time to focus on a single screen, hit the pause button.

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(816) 353-6550

Advanced Laser Level Measurement for Liquids

The Hawk Measurement Systems OptioLaser S300 Laser is a new product that can be used for the detection of all types of liquids, regardless of their dielectric properties.

This laser level detection system can accurately and reliably measure highly reflective liquids, clear liquids and even turbulence liquids. Due to its narrow beam divergence, it can be used to measure through grates and narrow passages, and even next to flat walls.

Principle of Operation

The Hawk OptioLaser S300 are user configurable and can be tuned to your specific application. The device uses an infrared, low-gain GaAs laser diode, which allows light energy of 905 nm. to travel to the surface of any liquid and is reflected back. This time-off-light (the time the laser pulse took to travel to the liquid and back) is then calculated into a distance. The low-gain diode allows for accurate measurement of even highly reflective, clear liquids, irrespective of the media dielectric properties. The narrow beam divergence of 3 milliradians (equal to 3ft at 1000ft) allows for easy installation, even near walls or thru narrow passages.

The OptioLaser S300 has strong appeal and wide application in the water, waste water, chemicals processing, food and beverage industries.

Read more about the OptioLaser S300 Laser measurement system by reviewing the embedded document below or you can download the "Optio S300 Liquid Laser Series for Fluid Level Measurement" PDF here.

For questions or application assistance, contact Power Specialties by visiting https://powerspecialties.com or by calling (816) 353-6550.

Optio S300 Liquid Laser Level Series Fluid Level Measurement from Power Specialties, Inc.