Introduction to 3D Radar Level Transmitters
Published on : Friday 03-06-2022
For level, volume, mass and 3D profile of silos and bunkers, the Radar principle guarantees stable measurements.
ULM-3D-5 is a multi-beam radar level transmitter with operating frequency over 120GHz designed
For measurement of level and volume of bulk materials in a container (bunker, silo etc.), the Radar principle guarantees stable measurements unaffected by dustiness, high frequency and narrowness of the measurement beam, with high selectiveness, sensitivity and precision of measurement in each point.
EIP Enviro Controls has introduced the 3D Radar Level Transmitter Model ULM 3D-5 (5 Beam Radar – the first and only 3D radar level transmitter in the world) for such applications. The ULM 3D-5 has an operating frequency of 140 GHz (the world's highest operating frequency) with 5 beams covering different parts of the silo to provide users with accurate level, volume, mass and real time 3D profile of material inside the silo. Additionally, this radar level transmitter does not require any air purge for cleaning, as being a very high frequency and high power radar beam, it is able to penetrate the dust and works even if some material sticks to the antenna of the 3D radar.
Solids/iron ore fines pose 3 unique challenges for level measurement:
1. Uneven profile due to angle of repose
2. Heavy dust, and
3. Maintenance.
The 3D Radar Level Transmitter with 5 beams:
a. Covers the silo surface area at 5 different points to show the level, volume, and 3D profile of material inside the silo
b. The 3D radar level transmitter works well with the dusty environment, and
c. The 3D radar level transmitter is maintenance free and does not require any air purge.
This innovative 3D technology is already in service world-wide for various applications.
Radar level transmitter ULM-3D-5 – operational frequency of 120-140 GHz, forms several rays with angular pattern 2°. It allows increasing by several times the accuracy of volume measurement of loose material and provides maximum stability of measurements. It provides guaranteed measurements of level, unlike the acoustic technology applied in other level gauges with the multipoint principle.
Radar level gauge ULM-3D-5 supports the same standard interfaces as ULM-31A1, has the same electric diagram and the same adjustment methods. It is very easy to master and to integrate this in the SCADA system.
Specifications in brief
Preferred applications: Powders and solids
Measuring range: 50 metres
Process temperatures: -40°to +185°C
Process pressure: -0.2 – 40 bar
Signal output: 4-wire 4 – 20 mA/HART/RS-485/Modbus
Number of beams: 5
Emitting frequency: 140 GHz (each beam)
Supply voltage: 20 to 32 VDC (110/ 230 VAC through SMPS)
Power consumption: Max 8 W @ 24 VDC.
Areas of application: Coal bunkers, iron ore bins, ground bunkers, storing bulk solids and powders, flue gas ducts, dust bins, and silos of fly ash, cement, clinker, pellets, sinter, RMHS, coke, PP/PTA/LDPE, paint, urea, phosphate, grain of all kinds, bulk chemical storage and other silos
Customer speak
A customer was quite frustrated with the level measurement system installed in the silos storing cement and clinker at their plant. There was inaccurate volume; there was fluctuation in readings, heavy maintenance problems and much more.
“I have the world's best SCADA system but it is useless if I cannot measure the level and volume inside my silo. My level sensor needs a replacement and a major one.” He said. And he clearly said, “I don't need a sensor change, I need a change in technology.”
We were pretty sure that we'd be able to give him the desired solution, because that's what we do: ‘Changing the market from level to volume’.
EIP understands that the most acute problem for bulk solids/ powder materials is uneven surface profile, dust and maintenance where in a solution which captures level at multiple points to provide an accurate volume and 3D profile, along with working in heavy dust and having characteristics of a fit and forget type device is of utmost importance.
Considering the application challenges, we recommended our 3D Radar Level Transmitter.
“EIP offers excellent products which have innovation written all over it plus the added quality that is sometimes superior to the international brands at times,” the customer said, after adopting the solution. “The service support extended by EIP right from the ordering stage up to the full satisfactory operation and troubleshooting is unmatched, it feels as if I can place an order to EIP and forget the rest!”
Getting this recognition from a client who was facing severe level measurement in the clinker silo issues is an acknowledgement to cherish.
Clinker and cement stored in the silos and thus solving every operational challenge with respect to level measurement and thanks to the 140 GHz technology of 3D Radar Level Transmitter, which works in the dusty atmosphere hassle free.
The result of our solution is best described by what the customer expressed. But we achieved this by providing accurate:
a. Average level
b. Maximum level and minimum level
c. Volume and mass, and
d. Real time 3D profile.
A small video of the 3D Radar in operation:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2q5cq1gcbW398uPR_LzR0A/videos