Radar and Guided Wave Radar (GWR) Level Measurement

ABLE offer both radar and guided wave radar (GWR) level transmitters for level measurement, process control and tank gauging. Guided wave radar is also known as Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR).

Non Contact Radar Level Gauges

ABLE’s range of non contact microwave radar transmitters offer an easy to use and understand level measurement technique, providing a real alternative to existing technologies such as differential pressure transmitters or displacers.

ABLE's 3rd Generation radar level gauges offer the following benefits:-

• plics® platform for uniform design, feel and operation
• Selection is easier, for faster ordering and delivery
• Simple to set up, faster commissioning, saves you time and money
• Trend and data logging on an in-head display, PLICSCOM, for easy analysis
• Echo pictures in head offer performance evaluation without laptops
• Cost of purchase and ownership one of the lowest in its class.

Non contact radar gauges can be used for tank and vessel level measurement on almost any liquid and many solids whether in storage or during processing. Radar is unaffected by changes to product or process conditions including: temperature, pressure, density, conductivity, vapours or dust. As radar transmitters do not contact the measured liquid or solid, they are versatile and extremely reliable. All units have built in linearisation software to calculate the level versus shape and provide a direct output of volume on:
 
• Radar tank gauging in storage vessels
• Level measurement in processing vessels, reactors, blenders, scrubbers and mixers
• Hygienic radar systems for distillation and purified water vessels - even with water sprays
• Interfaces on some special applications/liquids
• Monitoring handling of high temperature molten products, inc metals, minerals and coke products

Radar level instruments are used across a wide range of industries including: Pharmaceutical, Oil and Gas, Food, Dairy, Steel, Beverage, Paper, Automotive, Aggregates, Water and Waste water and Marine.

Radar transmitters simply fit into your new or existing vessel or process either mounted from the top, sometimes the side or even on the outside through a glass window, plastic or GRP vessel.

• Very small blocking distances maximise your vessel capacity
• Installed or changed without emptying your tank
• Commissioned accurately on or off line without changing the level
• No moving parts means no drift or recalibration
• VEGA radar handles agitators and obstructions easily using VEGA’s ECHOFOX® software
• VEGA have unique, proven software with high sensitivity and wide dynamic range
• A “false echo” system capable of distinguishing unwanted static and moving reflections
• Experience in hundreds of thousands of applications on solids and liquids
• Proven reliability and a 3 year warranty
• Unique ABLE service, application advice and after sales service
 
ABLE also offer SIL 2 (IEC 61508/615011) conformance on radar gauges, this is a special evaluation for high integrity applications. Our gauges have been tested for reliability and performance for use on hazardous products or processes. The same radar transmitter can be used for high or low level switching and tank gauging or continuous level measurement.

A rod or cone antenna generates millions of very short 1 nano second microwave pulses every second. Each pulse is transmitted to and reflected from a product surface. The time period between transmission and reception of the signal at the speed of light is measured and calculated as a distance. This continuous stream of pulses gives real time level information updated and evaluated many times a second.

Guided Wave Radar (GWR) Level Transmitters

ABLE’s range of Guided Microwave Radar transmitters or TDR transmitters (also referred to as Guided Wave Radar) are for level measurement and indication on almost any liquid, solid and interface level on some applications. Guided Radar is virtually unaffected by changes to product or process temperature, pressure, density, conductivity, vapours, build up or dust. ABLE’s guided wave radar technology is extremely reliable with no moving parts and no recalibration. All units have built in linearisation software to calculate the level versus shape and provide a direct output of volume on:

• Storage vessels
• Processing and manufacturing of products
• Level indication in Silo’s and Hoppers
• Interfaces on some liquids

Guided wave radar level transmitters are used across a wide range of industries including: Chemical, Pharmaceutical, Oil and Gas, Food, Dairy, Beverage, Paper, Automotive, Aggregates, Steel, Water and Waste Water and Marine.

ABLE’s guided wave radar, is typically mounted from the top. It’s extremely simple to calibrate and uses a very small entry to the vessel (from ¾” BSP) saving cost and time in both installation and set up.

Other benefits include:

• Uses plics® platform for uniform design, feel and operation
• Make selection easier, for faster ordering and delivery
• Simple set up, faster commissioning, saves you time and money
• Trend and data logging on in head display, PLICSCOM for real time analysis
• Echo pictures in head offer performance evaluation without laptops
• Cost of purchase and ownership among the lowest in its class.
• Measuring range up to 60 m and can measure very close to the sensor
• High resolution, high security of measurement – unaffected by dust, vapours and build up
• Built-in echo curve, data logging and trend on the local display
• 4…20 mA two-wire sensors (loop powered)
• Sensors with digital data transmission (Profibus and FF)
• Unaffected by product: changing density, conductivity, moisture, dielectric constant etc.
• No influence from surface reflections, such as agitation, foam or angle of repose from solids
• On solids and powders, filling clouds/dust and obstructions that cause many non-contact systems to misread are no problem either

Guided wave radar works by transmitting microwave radar pulses, which are ‘guided’ along the surface of a rod or cable suspended from top to bottom of a vessel. These ‘doughnut’ shaped pulses travel in a field of around 400mm diameter unless the radar is mounted inside a tube, chamber or standpipe. When the pulses reach the material surface, they are reflected back up the guide to the sensor. The elapsed time period between transmission and reception of the signal (at the speed of light) is measured and calculated as a distance and converted to level or volume.

For further information please email us here or download our radar level guide here.
If you would like a quotation please complete our application questionnaire.