Lean Inventory Management Needs Reliable Level Detection
The measurement of material levels in storage tanks is critical in many industrial processes to economically track inventory while ensuring the safety of workers, equipment, and the environment. Level sensors detect and measure the level of a medium in silos, storage tanks, bins, or other types of vessels. Common technologies such as radar or ultrasonic are tailored to the specific characteristics of the substances they measure and the conditions under which they operate, but these have significant drawbacks in reliability and safety. A safe and reliable method for level detection is based on the gravimetric principle, which allows sensors to be located outside the tank.
Measure Any Material Think Outside the Tank
Placing sensors outside the tank ensures that effects such as sidewall adhesion, dust, foam, or heel do not distort your measurement. This provides real-time readings that you can trust, irrespective of material properties. Additionally, gravimetric level detectors prevent inaccurate measurements due to bridging, caking, and ratholing caused by material properties like cohesion, particle size distribution, and vessel geometry. They are also protected from high temperatures, vibration, radiation, and contamination that frequently damage sensors placed above or inside the tank. With technology that always works regardless of environmental conditions or material, sensor selection couldn’t be easier.
A Safe, Bottom-Up Approach
Avoid the Fall With sensors located above the tank, technicians must climb on top to replace or check the status of their level detection instruments. This puts the technician’s safety at risk, for example in environments such as oil refineries or chemical plants. Even a single misstep results in parts falling from the top. Accessing sensors directly at the base of the tank eliminates these safety concerns, reducing the risk of accidents. Production staff and equipment are therefore safe and secure.
Level Detection at Its Best Enables Condition Monitoring
To simplify tank level detection in any industry, METTLER TOLEDO developed the SLL210 AnyLevel™ gravimetric level sensors that work with any tank shape, process condition, or material type. AnyLevel includes multiple mechanical interface options, and the sensors connect to most systems in just minutes. AnyLevel stands out due to its innovative condition monitoring and Smart5™ alarms, following the global industry standard NAMUR NE107. It offers instant visibility in case of out of-spec measurements so you can be confident in the performance of your level detection system.
Visit www.mt.com/SLL210