Fluid Handling
The Formidable Team of
Guided Wave Radar and
Non-Contact Radar
R
adar technology has revolutionized
level measurement in a variety
of process industries since the
introduction of 4-20mA loop powered,
radar-based transmitters in the 1990s. Both
guided wave radar (GWR) and non-contact
radar have numerous advantages over
older, more established level measurement
technologies. In a recent article for Industrial
Products Process and Technology Magazine
(IPP&T), Magnetrol®Global Product Manager
Bob Botwinski discusses the benefits of using
these radar technologies versus traditional
level instrumentation, and how guided wave
radar and non-contact radar can work together
to provide reliable level measurement. Here’s
an excerpt from the article:
Both guided wave radar and non-contact radar
have the same general principle of operation
(microwave time of flight) and no moving
parts. Because of this, users can retrofit
these radar transmitters into various process
applications and see improvement in efficiency
and accuracy, including applications that use
these technologies:
• DPs, due to SG shifts, installation cost,
and leak points
• Buoyancy, due to SG shifts, moving
parts, calibration issues, and cost
• RF Capacitance, due to cumbersome
calibration, dielectric shifts, and coating
issues
• Ultrasonics, due to vapor effects,
turbulence, and foam
Guided wave radar and non-contact radar
are related technologies, and together they
are a powerful combination that can cover
the majority of your continuous level control
needs. A very similar user interface and quick
disconnect electronics means that, if you know
how to use one, you’ll know how to use the
other.
More Information
The IPP&T article contains an overview of
the two technologies, the best applications for
each technology and information about what to
look for when selecting a radar-based device.
In addition, MAGNETROL has created a radar
solutions site with more information on both
guided wave radar and non-contact radar level
control technologies.
radar.magnetrol.com
The IPP&T article
72
PECM Issue 20
Radar Solution Site