Product category:
Level Sensors and Leak Detectors
News Release from: Krohne | Subject: Optiflex TDR level radar meter
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 30 April 2007
Radar meter chosen for vacuum pumps
Krohne's Optiflex measures the amount of liquid carrier recovered from the manufacturing process, which is collected in vessels.
BOC Edwards has chosen to use Krohne's Optiflex TDR level radar meter in its range of dry vacuum pumps used in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries The instruments accurately measure the volume of recovered carrier liquids to help control production costs, improve product quality and safeguard the equipment
Dry vacuum pumps supplied by BOC Edwards are used worldwide for a wide range of applications.
In the chemical and pharmaceutical process industries they can be used to condense carrier chemicals and solvents.
These are used to transport product powder (such as drugs) during production so that they can easily be recovered.
Krohne's Optiflex measures the amount of liquid carrier recovered from the manufacturing process, which is collected in vessels.
By accurately measuring the amount recovered, companies can reduce manufacturing costs by ensuring that as much of the liquid as possible is extracted and then re-used in production.
Krohne's Optiflex provides a signal to the digital control system, which allows the vessel to be emptied when it reaches a predetermined level, preventing it from overflowing into the vacuum pump or system.
The dry vacuum pumps are installed in manufacturing plants anywhere in the world and can be used in conjunction with a broad range of carrier chemicals.
BOC Edwards chose the Optiflex because of its ability to operate accurately and reliably across a broad range of different fluids.
The Optiflex incorporates a special feature called tank bottom following mode (TBF).
Rather than using a signal reflected from the material's surface to provide level measurement, this mode detects a return signal emitted from the end of the measuring probe.
Where materials have poor surface reflective properties the level radar is able to 'see through' the product to determine the position of the end of the probe.
Using this mode the instrument can calculate the precise level of the material from the time taken to detect the signal emitted from the probe.
Because the transit time of the pulse will depend on the di-electric constant of the material, where this is known and programmed into the Optiflex, the instrument is able to accurately calculate the surface level of virtually any material.
When set to automatic mode the Optiflex will switch from standard direct measurement mode to TBF mode, therefore always selecting the best mode of operation depending on the material conditions.
The Optiflex has high signal dynamics and emits sharper pulses that enable it to detect and measure very thin surfaces.
The instrument can also accurately detect levels in applications where the surface of the material is agitated or where foam or dust coats the surface.
The Optiflex is available with a range of five measuring probes, from 4 to 35m in length, which makes it suitable for use across a broad range of applications.
The instrument is straightforward to install.
Once the Optiflex has been fitted to the tank and switched on, a set-up wizard takes over.
This initiates a self-test routine that takes the operator through a series of questions to define the tank and the substance to be measured.
Once complete the Optiflex is ready for use.
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