Level Sensor for Dusty Hopper

DaveW · Oct 10, 2006

We have an `25" hopper that we want to determine low level on. The product is a dusty silicon based powder. Can anyone recommend a level sensor that will work in this environment? We are looking at some ultrasonic but unsure if it will stand up to the dusty environment.

Sliver · Oct 10, 2006

http://www.plctalk.net/qanda/showthread.php?t=25999

The above thread has a discussion on radar level and apparently it works well in dust as long as the material is fine enough to have a basically horizontal level in the bin. I have no personal experience with this (yet) other than radar does not appear to work well with more granular solids.

Brian.

brett93304 · Oct 10, 2006

In the past I have run into the same kind of problem with a stroage silo. We finally put a load cell in onr of the leggs did an offset for wind load it worked well. also used a load cell on a holding hopper for level it worked well also.

DJM · Oct 10, 2006

brett93304 said:
In the past I have run into the same kind of problem with a stroage silo. We finally put a load cell in onr of the leggs did an offset for wind load it worked well. also used a load cell on a holding hopper for level it worked well also.

That's a great idea! Should be fairly simple to do for a small hopper too.

If you are on the cheap, you can use a bindicator. For those that don't know, it's a rotating paddle that torques when it gets in material and actuates a c form switch. Its old tech but it still works well. We use it for carbon black with very few issues.

curlyandshemp · Oct 10, 2006

DJM said:
That's a great idea! Should be fairly simple to do for a small hopper too.

If you are on the cheap, you can use a bindicator. For those that don't know, it's a rotating paddle that torques when it gets in material and actuates a c form switch. Its old tech but it still works well. We use it for carbon black with very few issues.

I agree. The grain and milling industries use bindicators almost exclusively for digital switch points, Low Level, Mid Level, High Level. Another method is to use a Turck photoeye aimed at the product through a site glass.

Ian

gbradley · Oct 10, 2006

You can also suspend or mount a diaphragm switch to the hopper.

drewcrew6 · Oct 10, 2006

Look around for vibrating fork type switch should do what you need I believe. Alittle salty though.

Drewcrew6

bryan372002 · Oct 10, 2006

We use capacitive Prox switches in our sand hoppers, which are extremely dusty. Can get you the part number is you want.

Garcia · Oct 11, 2006

We use Rotary Level Indicators from WAM (Torex). You can find them here:

http://www.wamgroup.com/index.asp?ind=product_sheet.asp&idFamiglia=46&idProdotto=168&bkg=yes&menuProd=menu46&idDivision=2&idBranch=63&idLang=1

We build installations for industrial bakeries, and dust can be a pain in the xxx. (www.spiromatic.com)

Level Sensor for Dusty Hopper

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