Additionally, apart from being a continuous measuring instrument, these pressure transmitters are available with two configurable switches for alarming or control.
The state of the switches are visible on the illuminated ring provided around the large well-lit display of the VEGABAR 38. Operators can easily understand if the tank is empty or full, in just a glimpse.
Against a backdrop of 60 years of experience in level and pressure measurement, VEGA's sensor portfolio stands for maximum process reliability and plant availability.
With its new compact series of VEGABAR pressure sensors and VEGAPOINT level switches, the instrumentation specialist has now advanced to full-range supplier for all applications in food production. These lower-priced instruments are aimed at standard applications in automation – and designed to precisely meet the latest requirements of the industry
The convenience and reliability of the devices from VEGA were also standardized into the diary plant’s waste water treatment facility. With such feature packed and highly reliable transmitters, Al Rawabi Dairy company agreed to install another transmitter from VEGA’s last product release: a Radar sensor for level measurement - to replace failing ultrasonic level transmitters.
Radar technology has undergone tremendous development in recent decades. While radar sensors were used mainly by the military in the past, today they are used in everyday applications, even in homes. Typical examples are motion detectors for door openers and complex distance sensors in vehicles. At the same time, radar technology has taken a giant leap forward in industrial applications, for level measurement in particular – notwithstanding that this requires significantly higher signal sensitivity.
The 80-GHz Radar series offers a number of additional advantages compare to ultrasonic sensors. One of the most important is undoubtedly its independence from external conditions – the radar sensor is just as unaffected by temperature fluctuations, vacuum or high pressures as it is by dirt and contamination. As a result, the level sensors are virtually wear and maintenance free and remain in service for many years.
A good example in the diary plant is the treatment of the waste water.
There, the level measurement can easily become tedious, mostly because of the foam.
To measure the level, the wide basin was equipped with an ultrasonic sensor. But the reliability issues due to condensation, foam and ambient conditions like temperature were easily observable. Hydrostatic sensors were also tested, but required frequent cleaning due to the heavy sludge that collects at the bottom.
The VEGAPULS C21, a compact IP68 Radar with the latest 80 GHz high-frequency, was installed in this challenging application.
Plant operators could immediately see the difference with stable readings. From switching over from traditional ultrasonic technology that dominated the norms for years to the latest 80 GHz Radar, every customer could benefit from having no limitations or maintenance that they otherwise were bound to.
Radar sensors with 80-GHz technology have been opening up new applications in level measurement every day for five years already. It represents a real alternative to ultrasonic technology.