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Level Transmitters: For Measuring Solids and Slurries

Liquid and gas are not the only two substance types that are able to flow through pipes, tubes and systems and therefore require measurement. Solids and slurries may also flow, to a certain extent and need the same sort of monitoring that liquids and gases do for safety and maintenance reasons. Level transmitters are the tools used to monitor the flow of slurries and solids, utilizing similar parts as pressure transducers and pressure sensors but in two different styles. A variety of methods and technologies have also created variances in level transmitter manufacturing so that there are plenty of options to choose from when your industry requires the measuring capabilities.

Point level transmitters are one style of information gathering, specifically being set-up at a certain level that alarms the company that their substance is beginning to overflow. Since point level transmitters are permanent additions to the systems they are utilized in they must be made from excellent materials to withstand a long period of time in damp and possibly corrosive environments. Multiple sensors are used by the continuous level transmitters that take measurements of solid or slurry flow constantly, which is necessary for more sensitive applications. Silos, vats and tanks used for mixing, processing and storage are just a few examples within a spectrum of industries that use level transmitters. Agriculture, food and beverage, petrochemical, pharmaceutical and manufacturing industries have all purchased these pressure transducer vessels.

Some of the cool technologically advanced techniques level transmitters use to measure solid and slurry flow are pretty amazing. An example is the non-contacting radar transmitter, which send sound waves into the enclosure of substance and translate the echoes into how much of the substance is in the tank. Another interesting method is the closely related to non-contacting radar but a bit more advanced. Known as guided wave radar transmitters, different levels of fluid, solid and gas are able to be determined without any physical contact with the mechanism.