When to Use radar type level transmitter？

In a variety of industrial scenarios, accurately measuring the level of liquids is key to ensuring the stability and safety of the production process. Radar level transmitters are a popular choice for liquid level measurement due to their high accuracy and reliability.

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Introduction of radar level transmitter

Radar is a technology that utilizes electromagnetic waves for measurement and detection. Radar level transmitters measure the distance between the surface of a liquid and the sensor by transmitting and receiving microwave signals to determine the level of the liquid.

Working principle of the radar transmitter

1. Signal emission: the transmitter of the radar level transmitter emits microwave signals to the surface of the liquid.
2. Signal reflection: a part of the microwave signal is reflected back by the liquid surface, the formation of the return signal.
3. Signal reception and calculation: the receiver receives the echo signal, and calculates the time required to transmit the signal to return to the echo signal, i.e., &#;time of flight&#;.
4. Level measurement: the flight time is multiplied by the speed of signal propagation (usually the speed of light) to calculate the distance between the surface of the liquid and the sensor.
5. Level conversion: The calculated distance is converted to a level measurement and transmitted to a display or control system.

Let&#;s take an example:
First, the transmitter of the radar level transmitter emits a high-frequency microwave signal. The emitted microwave signal passes through the water in the settling tank and reaches the surface of the water, part of the signal is reflected by the surface of the water and returns, and the receiver receives the signal reflected back from the surface of the water. By measuring the time between transmitting the signal and receiving the reflected signal (time of flight), the radar level transmitter calculates the distance between the water surface and the sensor. The calculated distance value is converted into a level measurement and transmitted to a display or monitoring system.

Schematic diagram of the operating principle of guided wave radar level transmitter

Key points in the operational process:

• Continuous monitoring: The radar level transmitter continuously sends and receives signals to ensure real-time monitoring of the liquid level in the settling tank.
• Level change analysis: By monitoring changes in liquid level, it is possible to understand the progress of the settling process and wastewater treatment, so that appropriate measures can be taken to adjust the treatment process.
• Reflection and interference problems: It is necessary to pay attention to the reflection of the signal on the surface of the liquid, while avoiding the interference of the signal by factors such as air bubbles, foam or turbidity of the sewage.

Advantages and Cautions:

• High accuracy measurement: Radar technology can provide high accuracy level measurement and maintain accuracy even in harsh environments.
• Environmental adaptability: Able to cope with different effluent characteristics, but need to pay attention to possible reflection and interference problems during signal propagation to ensure the accuracy of measurement.

There are different types of radar level transmitters, each of which may have a slightly different principle of operation. Below are a few common types of radar level transmitters and their main working principles:

• Pulse radar: Transmits a microwave signal in short pulses and measures the time of flight of the signal to determine the liquid level. It is suitable for a wide range of media and industrial environments because of its short operating time.
• Continuous wave radar: continuously emits microwave signals to identify liquid levels by frequency or phase changes. Suitable for high-precision measurements and interference-prone environments.
• Non-contact radar: the use of FM continuous wave technology, can be in the liquid surface of different dielectric constant to provide more accurate measurement, suitable for a variety of media and harsh environments.
• Leaky wave radar(guided wave radar level transmitter): Measures liquid level by introducing a microwave signal into a waveguide tube and allowing it to interact with the medium. Suitable for applications with small level variations.

fmcw radar level transmitter product 2 guided wave radar level transmitter product 1

Each type of radar level transmitter differs slightly in principle and application, but all are based on radar technology, which utilizes the reflection of a microwave signal against the surface of a liquid to measure the level. Selection of the right type for a particular application depends on factors such as media properties, measurement requirements and environmental conditions.

Typical applications for radar level transmitters

Radar level transmitters are commonly used in a variety of industrial scenarios where accurate measurement of liquid levels is required, including but not limited to the following areas:

1. Chemical plants and process installations: Used to monitor the level of chemicals in storage tanks, reactors, tanks or pipelines.
2. Oil and gas industry: Used for level monitoring in tanks, storage tanks, pipelines, etc., to help control the storage, transportation and handling of oil and liquid gases.
3. Water and wastewater treatment: In wastewater treatment plants, it is used to monitor the level of sewage tanks, sedimentation tanks, water tanks and so on.
4. Food and beverage industry: for monitoring the level of tanks or troughs in food production, such as the storage of raw materials in brewing, dairy or beverage production.
5. Energy production and power plants: for monitoring the level of fuel storage tanks, cooling pools, etc..
6. Pharmaceutical industry: for pharmaceutical equipment in the liquid storage tanks or reactor level monitoring.

Summary

Radar level transmitters utilize microwave signals to accurately measure liquid levels and determine the distance between the liquid and the sensor by calculating the signal&#;s time of flight. Although reliable, attention should be paid to the effects of signal reflection and external interference on accuracy. Overall, it provides a reliable technical solution for industrial monitoring and control with high accuracy and stability.

Apure offers level transmitters in addition to water quality analyzers, flow measurement, pressure measurement, temperature measurement and ozone generators.

The biggest difference between radar and ultrasonic level transmitter is the different measurement principles. Ultrasonic level transmitter uses sound waves, and radar level meter uses electromagnetic waves. Different measurement principles lead to different application scenarios.

Radar and ultrasonic level transmitters are both non-contact level measurement technologies. Both types of liquid level meters send signals to the medium, and the signals are reflected by the medium and then return to the instrument. Distance is measured by calculating the time difference.

RFQ

Featured Radar and Ultrasonic Level Transmitters

1. Different measurement principles

Ultrasonic Level Transmitter uses sound waves, while radar uses electromagnetic waves. This is the biggest difference between the two.

Ultrasonic Level Transmitter:

When the Ultrasonic Level Transmitter works, high-frequency pulse sound waves are emitted by the transducer (probe). When they encounter the surface of the object to be measured (water surface), they are reflected. The refracted reflection echo is received by the same transducer (probe) and converted into an electrical signal.

The time between pulse transmission and reception (the movement time of the sound wave) is proportional to the distance from the transducer to the object surface. The relationship between the distance S of sound wave transmission, the speed of sound C and the transmission time T can be expressed by the formula: S= C&#;T /2

Radar Level Meter:

Transmission-reflection-reception is the basic working principle of Radar Level Meter. The antenna of the radar sensor emits electromagnetic wave signals in the form of a beam, and the emitted waves are reflected on the surface of the material being measured. The reflected echo signals are still received by the antenna.

Each point in the transmitted and reflected beams is collected using ultrasonic sampling. After the signal is processed by the intelligent processor, the distance between the medium and the probe is obtained and sent to the terminal display for display, alarm, operation, etc.

2. The measurement blind spots are different.

Dead zones must be considered when installing Ultrasonic Level Transmitter. When the liquid level enters the blind zone, the ultrasonic transmitter cannot measure the liquid level. Therefore, when determining the measuring range of the ultrasonic level meter, it is recommended to leave a margin of 50 cm.

During installation, the transmitter probe must be about 50 cm higher than the maximum liquid level. Only in this way can the accurate monitoring of the liquid level and the safety of the ultrasonic liquid level meter be ensured.

For more information, please visit gallopsensor.

The blind zone of the radar level meter will be smaller. For example, the Blind zone of Sino-Inst&#;s 80G high-frequency radar level meter can be 0.1m/0.2m/0.3m.

3. Different application situations

Due to the different measurement principles of ultrasonic and radar, their application scenarios are also different.

Radar level meters use electromagnetic waves, which are affected by the dielectric constant of the material being measured. Ultrasonic waves are mechanical waves, which are affected by the density of the medium being measured.

Therefore, when measuring substances with very low dielectric constants, the measurement effect of radar level meters will be greatly reduced.

Ultrasonic waves are sound waves and mechanical waves that need to be propagated through a propagation medium. Therefore, the Ultrasonic Level Transmitter cannot be used in working conditions such as vacuum, excessive steam content, or foam on the liquid surface.

Radar liquid level meters are available in horn type, rod type, and cable type, and can be used in different measuring industries. Therefore, compared with Ultrasonic Level Transmitter, radar level meter can be applied to more complex working conditions.

4. Different temperature and pressure tolerances

Ultrasonic Level Transmitter has temperature limits. Generally, the temperature at the probe cannot exceed 80 degrees, and the speed of sound waves is greatly affected by temperature.

Ultrasonic Level Transmitter is greatly affected by pressure and is generally required to be within 0.3MPa. Because sound waves are emitted by vibration, the sound-producing components will be affected when the pressure is too high.

Ultrasonic Level Transmitter cannot measure well when there is a lot of fog or dust in the measurement environment.

In contrast, radar uses electromagnetic waves and is not affected by vacuum. The applicable range of medium temperature and pressure is very wide. With the emergence of high-frequency radar, its application scope has become wider. 200&#;, 400&#; high temperature, 2.5MPa high pressure, etc. can be customized.

5. Different accuracy:

The accuracy of radar level meter is higher than Ultrasonic Level Transmitter.

The accuracy of radar is definitely higher than ultrasonic. Millimeter-wave radar, with a measurement accuracy of up to ±1mm.

The accuracy of Ultrasonic Level Transmitter is around 0.3%~0.5%.

6. Costs vary

In terms of price, compared with Ultrasonic Level Transmitter, the price of radar level meter will be higher.

More Level Measurement Solutions

The measurement principle of radar and ultrasonic level transmitter is to send a signal to the medium, and then the signal is reflected by the medium and then returns to the instrument. The distance is measured by calculating the time difference.

Difference between radar and ultrasonic level transmitter: Ultrasonic waves rely on air to propagate. Therefore, all factors that can affect the air will affect ultrasonic waves. Radar is an electromagnetic wave. Compared with mechanical waves such as ultrasonic waves, it is not affected by the environment.

Both radar level meter and ultrasonic level transmitter can be used well for liquid level measurement. However, the specific choice of level meter in actual applications should be determined based on process conditions, medium characteristics, installation conditions, usage environment and other factors.

If you need non-contact liquid level measurement or have related technical questions, please contact our engineers!

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