Liquid Bulk Handling
Measure liquid levels
Road tanker level measuring system brings improved safety and logistics
An innovative on-board TDR level measuring system, developed by level specialists Hycontrol, is bringing improved safety and logistics for operators of a custom designed transformer oil delivery-collection road tanker built by Whale Tankers. The vehicle’s 11000 litre stainless steel tank is equally partitioned, with one half being used for new clean oil, the other for the collected waste oil. Each half has its own TDR guided wave radar level measuring system connected through to separate digital displays and powered by the vehicle’s 24 volt supply. West Midlands based Whale Tankers is one of Europe’s largest manufacturers of liquid waste tankers and jetting equipment. Through customer interaction, feedback and design innovation, Whale has ensured that its brand stands for durability, reliability and ease of maintenance, leading to high residual values on its vehicles. Traditionally liquid levels in such tankers are measured using dip sticks via the top of the tank. However, increased safety concerns expressed by the end customer relating to drivers working at height have been the catalyst for Whale to source an alternative level measuring solution, where tank levels can be safely monitored at ground level.
At the heart of the Hycontrol system are two co-axial 24 volt loop powered VF03 series TDR units, which fit directly into flanges at the top of the tank. TDR (Time Domain Reflectometry) technology is ideal for such applications and especially the co- axial design, This is particularly suitable for low dielectric products such as oil, having the ability to measure dielectrics as low as 1.1. The stainless steel measuring probe consists of a solid inner rod and co-axial perforated outer tube. The transmit- receive microwave signal is contained within the space between the outer tube and the inner rod as it travels down to the liquid surface and back up again. This has the advantage that the unit can be fitted in confined spaces, for instance next to the vessel side walls or adjacent to support frames or baffles without affecting accuracy.
The measuring technology provides excellent accuracy and is unaffected by vapour interfaces or changes in pressure and temperature. There is no dead zone at the upper end of the probes, ensuring measurements can be made right to the top of the tank. The lower ends of the TDR units are fitted with caps, which then fit into depressions designed into the bottom of the tanks. This provides protection for the probe assembly against liquid surge forces generated during heavy braking and also ensures level measurements can be made to the bottom of the tank. The level system is pre-calibrated in house and the output display converted to read directly in litres. The digital displays, which are fitted with high and low alarms, are conveniently mounted on the side of the vehicle adjacent to the fill/empty points for ease of reading at ground level. Visibility at these
44 Solids & Bulk Handling • March 2010
www.solidsandbulk.co.uk
points is essential to control the fill and empty processes so immediate action can be taken if an event occurs. Although transformer oil does not currently come within the scope of the Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road regulations (ADR), the Hycontrol system is designed to be compliant with the requirements should product exemption categorisations change in the future. Part of these regulations mandate that tanks carrying designated dangerous goods can only be filled to a certain level, leaving a space or ullage above the maximum fill level to allow for factors such as expansion and surging during transportation. The delivery driver can now ensure there is adequate clean oil in the tanker to fill any particular transformer whilst the high alarm ensures this ullage is maintained during the filling process. Whale Tankers’ engineering manager Andy Ellis is pleased with the overall design: “Hycontrol engineers worked closely with us to help design this innovative solution. Transformer filling and emptying can now be safely carried out, without the need for drivers to climb to the top of the tank to take regular dips. The built-in alarms ensure ullage requirements are adhered to and drivers can be confident they have sufficient new oil to fill any particular transformer ahead of the process. All this translates directly into improved safety and more efficient logistics for our client.” Hycontrol’s sales director Nigel Allen is clear on his company’s role in such applications and as he concludes: “This application highlights our versatility and broad engineering skills. Using our wide range of measurement technologies as building blocks and working closely in partnership with the client, we can ensure we deliver the best engineered solution for any particular level measurement application. This sets us apart from our competitors, who typically do not have the flexibility to develop such bespoke equipment.”
For more information contact Hycontrol on tel: 01527 406800 or visit: www.hycontrol.com
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