Process separation in a jiffy with a ball valve

Especially in cases where interrupting the production process means much work and cost, shut-off devices are mounted directly on tanks in order to isolate pipelines as well as the installed measurement technology from the running process. Such process separation often represents a big challenge for the deployed instruments.
With previous radar sensors, the shut-off devices installed (e.g. in the form of ball valves) caused sizable interfering reflections, because the radar signals reflected off the valve seal joints and flange connections. Particularly if the reflective properties of the medium are poor, a certain minimum measuring distance can arise at the top of the vessel, this is because the interfering signals in the close range can interfere with and obscure the signals reflected from the medium.
Especially when measuring oil products or liquefied gas, valve isolation devices can severely impair the measurement in these upper regions of the vessel.

The solution
The excellent signal focusing of VEGAPULS 64 makes it decidedly simpler to use isolating valves. The false echoes are either not seen or significantly reduced, which means even media with poor reflective properties can be detected with considerably higher accuracy right to the top of the vessel.

The benefits

• Significantly higher reliability when using shutoff valves
• Easy sensor installation, even during ongoing process
• Additional safety on pressurized tanks

Expert tip:
To keep the effects of isolation valves to a minimum, the diameter selected should be as large as possible. This reduces any potential interference caused by product deposits in the ball valve. An interesting and economical solution is the use of a DN 100 or 4" ANSI ball valve.