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 various possibilities for weight measurement or weighing. The filling level could 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.
Agony comprises 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 therefore the level is determined by 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.
Gravimetric level measurement is specially suitable when uneven distribution may appear within the vessels.
Gravimetric level measurement: Advantages
This kind 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 necessary to open or modify the vessels. Contamination can thus be eliminated. Cleaning can be easier. Furthermore, very precise measurement is possible ? 0.02 % of the rated load is not uncommon with regard 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 merchandise will not influence the measurement. The particular level can be determined gravimetrically for several contents ? solids, liquids, viscous substances, foaming substances ? even toxic or aggressive contents can be considered. Furthermore, the measurement is not falsified even if voids or uneven contents distribution occur inside the silo or tank, because the entire contents are weighed.
Suitable mounting modules not merely make sure that the weight force is properly led into the force transducers, they also make installation very easy. The module and force transducer have a minimal height and a small installation volume. However, it is usually problematic if the vessels are already permanently installed and may only be positioned on modules with a great deal of effort. Then it really is probably advisable to bolt strain transducers to the supports. Any risk of strain transducers determine the compression of the supports due to the weight of the contents. They thus be able to weigh immovable vessels gravimetrically.
Gravimetric level measurement: Disadvantages
The disadvantages of gravimetric level measurement vary in significance based on the application. Email address details are mainly distorted when force shunts can’t be prevented. Ideally, the vessel ought to be mechanically decoupled. In practice, however, it can always happen that, for instance, struts are essential. Then it depends on what great their supporting effect is. Similar problems may appear 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 can be suffering from natural factors. For example, if wind pushes or snow leads to a significant increase in weight.
Typical force transducers for the weighing of vessels
Single point load cells are classically useful for scales. These not merely have a minimal price and high accuracy, but the weight can be determined reliably, regardless of where it is positioned on the platform. For optimal force introduction, bending or shear beams with the corresponding weighing modules are often installed under tanks, silos or vessels that stand on supports. To determine the rated load of the force transducers, divide the total weight of the vessel by the number of supports. If the rated load exceeds 10 t, you’ll be able to switch to compression force transducers, the maximum capacity of which reaches up to 300 t. With four supports, vessels as high as 1,200 t could be weighed with the best accuracy. Alternatively, vessels could 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 has the right sensor for each application. Would you like to buy the products? In our WIKA online-shop you will discover a few of our standard designs. Assuming you have any questions, your contact will gladly help you.
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Bending beam and shear beam in weighing technology
Request of strain transducers

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