Electricity + Control April 2019

COVER ARTICLE

Simple measurement of liquid levels: 80-GHz radar sensor VEGAPULS 64 By Juergen Skowaisa, Product Manager, Radar, at VEGA’s headquarters in Schiltach, Germany

FEATURES: · Control systems+ automation+ systems engineering · Electrical protection+ safety · Flowmeasurement+ instrumentation · Lighting · Transformers+ substations

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V EGA launched the VEGAPULS 64 in 2016, in- troducing the first radar level sensor for liq- uids on the market that measures at a frequency of 80 GHz. This feature allows considerably better focusing of the radar beam. With VEGAPULS 64, measuring is much easier and more reliable, even under difficult conditions, such as in tanks fitted with heating coils, baffles or agitators. Until then, a radar sensor with a transmission frequency of 26 GHz and an 80 mm-diameter an- tenna had a beam angle of approximately 10°.With the same size of antenna, the VEGAPULS 64 has a beam angle of only 3°. This allows the sensor to be used in vessels with internal installations or heavy build-up on the walls, because the focused microwave beam simply avoids these obstacles. Radar sensors with a larger dynamic range have a higher measurement certainty and these sen- sors can be used for a wider range of applications. With VEGAPULS 64, media with very poor reflec- tive properties – a low dielectric constant – can be measured with more certainty than with previous radar sensors. Foam, turbulent product surfaces, condensation, or build-up on the antenna are no problem. The radar level sensor measures more reliably due to its greater measurement certainty. It has an accuracy of +/-2 mm and a measuring range of up to 30 m. The device is ideal for wide use across indus- tries ranging from demanding applications in the chemical industry to hygienic applications in the pharmaceutical and food industries. The relevant approvals for this sector, such as 3-A SSI and EHEDG, are available.The 80-GHz radar sensor can be used universally for most industrial level appli- cations. And, as the sensor can also be equipped with the smallest antenna of its kind, there’s hardly a mounting location where it won’t fit. Benefits withVEGAPULS 64 at a glance: • Ideal for use in vessels with small process con- nections, such as those used in the pharma- ceutical, biotech, and food industries.

• Media can be measured with much higher accu- racy than before – right up to the process fitting and down to the very bottom of the container. • The new sensor can be easily installed using existing process connections, eliminating the need for costly equipment modifications. • Since radar signals pass right through viewing windows and glass containers, the sensor can also be mounted outside containers. • The larger dynamic range provides a higher measurement certainty, especially when there is build-up, condensate, foam, or a turbulent liquid surface in the vessel. • Radar technology is immune to pro- cess conditions

Enquiries: VEGA Controls SA. Tel. +27 (0)11 795 3249, or visit: www.vega.com/radar

like changing tem- perature, pressure and density. With VEGAPULS 64, lev- els can be meas- ured in applications where the process and/or structural conditions were previously not suit- able for radar.

With VEGAPULS 64, there is hardly a mounting location where it won’t fit.

Juergen Skowaisa, Product Manager, Radar at VEGA’s headquarters in Schiltach, Germany.

Radar level sensor VEGAPULS 64 for liquids is available in three antenna versions: with plastic horn antenna of PP, thread with integrated horn antenna, or flange with encapsu- lated antenna system.

Electricity + Control

APRIL 2019

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