Reflective Ultrasonic Level Sensors perform even with condensation present in the tank

Why are Ultrasonic Level Transmitters used? Ultrasonic transmitters are very easy to install and simple to configure via either a push button or software. Since the transmitter is non-contact, no calculation or compensation is necessary against the following media properties:

• Liquid Density
• Liquid Viscosity
• Liquid Dielectric

Ultrasonic transmitters as designed by Flowline with ‘Digital Signal Processing’ algorithms provide the following application measurement and control advantages for liquids:

• Continuous, non-contact level measurement
• Process temperature range: -40°F (-40°C) to 176°F (80°C)
• Process pressure range: 30 psi (2 bar)
• Narrow 2” or 3” effective beam width optimizing applications with limited measurement space
• Smallest dead band from 1.5”-8” that maximizes the measurement capacity of the tank.

Where are Ultrasonic Level Transmitters used? The level measurement and control industry today offers many different measurement technologies. Each technology has its strengths and weaknesses. It is important to select the right technology for your application. Ultrasonic transmitters are intended for storage, process and lift station applications targeting ambient environmental conditions. Ultrasonic transmitters are widely used in the following industries:

• Storage

o Bulk and Day Tank Storage Applications Including:

• Chemical
• Production
• Batching and Dosing
• Petrochemical
• Agriculture
• Water & Wastewater Treatment
• Process

o Pre-process and post-process applications Including

• Chemical
• Blending
• Neutralization
• Petrochem
• Water & Wastewater
• Lift Station

o Wastewater Applications Include

• Municipal
• Wastewater Collection
• Wastewater Treatment
• Storm Water Measurement
• Industrial
• Waste Collection
• Neutralization
• Environmental

What is Reflective Measurement Technology?

One of the biggest challenges any non-contact ultrasonic level transmitter faces is the presence of condensation inside the tank. Condensation is the change of the physical state of matter from gas phase into liquid phase and is the reverse of evaporation. Condensation commonly occurs in level applications when there is a temperature delta between the temperature inside the tank and the temperature outside the tank. It can cause the vapors in the tank to condense and accumulate on all the surfaces inside the tank, including the transducer surface of any level measurement transmitters.

How does condensation affect an Ultrasonic Transmitter?

Condensation build-up on any ultrasonic sensor’s transducer surface causes the following:

• The transducer develops an impedance miss-match resultant in attenuation of the ultrasonic sound being transmitted/received by the transducer creating a very weak and/or faint echo detection.
• The signal attenuation diminishes transducer energy resultant in undetectable echo loss

The typical suggestion to improve transducer performance with the presence of condensation is applying a layer of petroleum jelly on the face of the transducer to prevent liquid from beading or adhering to it. Unfortunately, this represents a temporary fix that is not 100% guaranteed/permanent field application solution.

Flowline’s new Reflective Measurement Technology addresses this environmental challenge. Our patented design orients the transducer at a vertical position eliminating any chance for liquid or condensation build up on the transducer face. This eliminates performance degradation or reliability impact as caused by condensation. Today, Flowline as the leading, global ultrasonic level-brand manufacturer can lay ‘performance claim’ about its transmitters not being negatively impacted by the formation of condensation on its transducer’s surfaces.

EchoPod^® Ultrasonic Level Transmitters (137-2049) The General Purpose ultrasonic level transmitter provides continuous level measurement up to 36.3’ (12m) with a 4-20 mA analog signal output are configured via our ‘free-ware, aka WebCal software. The new EchoPod design features the patented Reflective Measurement Technology that prevents condensation build up on the transducer face making it the only ultrasonic level transmitter that is not affected by condensation. The non- contact liquid level sensor is ideally suited for corrosive, sticky or waste liquids, and is selected for bulk storage, day tank or process tank applications.