Food & Drink Process & Packaging Issue 24 2019 | Page 25

consistently without requiring cleaning. no false signals from rings of build up, or This long term reliability is just what vessel internals. users are looking for with this kind of product. Radar has an additional benefit, it measures liquid surface level/volume, so its accuracy is not influenced by This focused capability results in non- contact radar devices that are easier and faster to set up, less likely to need changing product density either. tweaks, ‘remapping’ of false signals in Focusing is another great advantage of in the long term. this VEGAPULS 80 GHz radar, especially when compared to the 6GHz predecessor in this application. Its measuring beam is approximately 10 times better and sharper focused. So, if you compare 2 radars of each technology, both with a 3” antenna: 6GHz would be in the region of 30 degrees ...whereas the 80 GHz is just over 3 degrees! This improved focusing means that the radar signal path between the sensor and liquid surface does not see any interference from vessel walls, vessels, delivering accuracy and reliability After its trial period ended in mid 2016, the device was purchased. The main benefit to the customer was being able to measure reliably and safely down to the vessel bottom, thus enabling smoother planning of production and effective scheduling of deliveries. Additionally, this device also has Bluetooth communications, which means at any time it can be remotely and safely accessed, to check level readings or diagnostics, without climbing the vessel or physically connecting to the sensor. The engineering manager for the site reported he was happy, commenting “We ‘haven’t had a reading down at that level for years!”. Web: www.vega.com Tel +44 1444 870055 FDPP - www.fdpp.co.uk 25