In the pharmaceutical, building materials and food industries, on vessels and silos, on platforms and dosing systems, right up to kitchen and bathroom scales ? weight is measured everywhere. In industry, it becomes particularly interesting with regards to the level in vessels. There are many possibilities for weight measurement or weighing. The filling level can be determined optically, hydrostatically, by ultrasound, microwaves and radar, mechanically, capacitively, by heat dissipation, by displacement and resistance or, what this article is about, gravimetrically.
The term gravimetric is composed of the Latin ?gravitas? for ?gravity? and the Greek ??? ??????? for ?measure?. In gravimetric measurement, therefore, the heaviness of the mass is combined with the weight force to form a meaningful value and thus the level depends upon weighing vessels (the filling level results from the density of the medium and the geometry of the vessel). This makes gravimetric level measurement a part of weighing technology.
Up-sell is specially suitable when uneven distribution can occur within the vessels.
Gravimetric level measurement: Advantages
This type of weighing has several advantages. Perhaps the greatest advantage is that the force transducers useful for gravimetric level measurement can be found outside the vessel. Thus, they do not touch the product. Neither is it essential to open or modify the vessels. Contamination can thus be eliminated. Cleaning is also much easier. Furthermore, very precise measurement can be done ? 0.02 % of the rated load isn’t uncommon when it comes to relative linearity error. This makes dosing possible when, for instance, food is filled into bags ? not to mention the packaging must support the amount specified.
Another advantage is that the product does not influence the measurement. The level could be determined gravimetrically for all contents ? solids, liquids, viscous substances, foaming substances ? even toxic or aggressive contents can be viewed as. Furthermore, the measurement isn’t falsified even if voids or uneven contents distribution occur inside the silo or tank, as the entire contents are weighed.
Suitable mounting modules not merely make sure that the weight force is properly led in to the force transducers, they also make installation super easy. The module and force transducer have a low height and a little installation volume. However, it is usually problematic if the vessels already are permanently installed and will only be positioned on modules with significant amounts of effort. Then it is probably advisable to bolt strain transducers to the supports. The strain transducers determine the compression of the supports due to the weight of the contents. They thus make it possible to weigh immovable vessels gravimetrically.
Gravimetric level measurement: Disadvantages
The disadvantages of gravimetric level measurement vary in significance depending on the application. Results are mainly distorted when force shunts cannot be prevented. Ideally, the vessel should be mechanically decoupled. In practice, however, it could always happen that, for example, struts are essential. Then it depends on what great their supporting effect is. Similar problems can occur if the measurement is influenced by a high bearing weight. The lower the weight of the vessel compared to the product, the more accurate the gravimetric measurement. Finally, free-standing outdoor vessels could be suffering from natural factors. For example, if wind pushes or snow results in a significant increase in weight.
Typical force transducers for the weighing of vessels
Single point load cells are classically used for scales. These not merely have a low price and high accuracy, however the weight can be determined reliably, no matter where it is placed on the platform. For optimal force introduction, bending or shear beams with the corresponding weighing modules are usually installed under tanks, silos or vessels that stand on supports. To determine the rated load of these force transducers, divide the full total weight of the vessel by the number of supports. If the rated load exceeds 10 t, it is possible to switch to compression force transducers, the utmost capacity which reaches around 300 t. With four supports, vessels as high as 1,200 t could be weighed with the highest accuracy. Alternatively, vessels can be suspended from S-type force transducers or fitted with strain transducers.
Note
Level can be measured in many various ways. Whether gravimetric as described, or with a submersible pressure sensor, float switch or pressure sensor ? WIKA gets the right sensor for each application. Do you want to buy the products? In our WIKA online-shop you will discover a few of our standard designs. For those who have any questions, your contact will gladly help you.
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