Sight Flow Indicators

Armored flow indicator provides direct visual reading
of process media flow.
Image courtesy Jogler, LLC

In the operation of an industrial process, there may be instances where a visual confirmation or assessment of fluid flow is useful or necessary. In those cases, a direct reading sight flow indicator is just the thing needed to fill the requirement.

The sight flow indicator is essentially a clear tube with an encasement and appropriate connections that facilitate the indicator's installation into a process piping system. It is installed in a manner that provides an operator visual access to the inside of the piping at that location. Further details about construction materials, armoring, and more will round out the product selection that best accommodates the industrial environment, the media, and the visual inspection needs.

Jogler manufactures a range of flow, level and analytical instruments for industrial use. Their sight flow indicators, with line sizes from 1/2 to 4 inches and lengths up to 60 inches, enable a process operator to get that all important look at the liquid media as is passes through the flow indicator. The presence, color and character of the media can be assessed visually through the flow indicator, delivering visual confirmation of some targeted aspect of the process.

Share your process flow and level measurement challenges with instrumentation specialists, leveraging your own knowledge and experience with their product application expertise to develop an effective solution.

Level Gauges and Flow Indicators from Alliance Technical Sales, Inc.

Host Device Transmitters for Interchangeable Sensors

Indigo 200 Series Transmitters accommodate an array of
smart sensors.
Image courtesy Vaisala

Our previous post was about Vaisala's new interchangeable humidity sensors in their Indigo line. The Indigo sensors, and other smart probes, are designed to work with the Indigo series transmitters to provide top flight performance in process measurement and control applications.

Transmitters enable plug-and-play setup with the smart sensors. Output options include analog, relay and Modbus. The browser based wireless interface allows configuration and viewing access to the transmitter. The LCD color display enables easy viewing on location.

Share your process measurement challenges with process instrumentation experts, leveraging your own process knowledge and experience with their product application expertise to develop the best solution.

Indigo 200 Series Transmitters from Alliance Technical Sales, Inc.

Interchangeable Humidity Probes Open Up Application Possibilities

The Vaisala Indigo series of humidity measurement probes
encompasses variants for a wide range of applications.
Image courtesy Vaisala

The Indigo family of smart sensors and transmitters, from Vaisala, has been expanded with some newly released humidity probes. The five new probes can be used with an Indigo host device or another using Modbus protocol. Previously available sensors measured concentrations of gaseous carbon dioxide and hydrogen peroxide. The new offering expands the Indigo functionality into humidity measurement, a mainstay of Vaisala for many years. Humidity can now be measured in:

• Pressurized or high pressure environments, up to 100 bars, with two probe offerings covering differing pressure ranges
• High temperature ovens and similar applications
• High humidity applications where probe heating is required

There is also a new version available for temperature measurement. 

The Indigo family of sensors and host devices are interchangeable, and all can interface with Vaisala's Insight PC software. More information is available from the process measurement specialists at Alliance Technical Sales. Share your process measurement challenges with experts, leveraging your own knowledge and experience with their product application expertise to develop the best solutions.

Laser Level Transmitter Technology

LLT-1000 Laser Level Transmitter is rugged,
accurate, and easy to use.
Image courtesy Jogler LLC

Jogler, manufacturer of level measurement instruments, provides a laser level transmitter for industrial process measurement and control applications. The rugged instrument provides continuous non-contact level measurement for process automation and inventory management across an array of industrial applications.

A laser level transmitter can provide reliable measurement of solids or opaque liquids with little interference from granular or foaming surfaces. The technology provides for very long measuring distance, enabling a large standoff from a hazardous location or measuring within a very large vessel. The narrow beam emitted by the transmitter can be easily located to avoid false readings from mixers or other purposeful obstructions within a vessel. The long measuring range, narrow beam, easy installation and high accuracy make the laser based level measurement technology suitable for application in silos, tanks, hoppers, chutes, and bunkers. In addition to being a non-contact measuring method, a laser level transmitter can function effectively through a transparent sight glass installed on a vessel. The complete isolation of the instrument from the process media can be beneficial in many applications.

The data sheet below provides more detail on the LLT-1000 Laser Level Transmitter. Share your level and process measurement requirements and challenges with a product application specialist. Leverage your own process knowledge and experience with their product application expertise to develop effective solutions.

Laser Level Transmitter for Process Measurement and Control from Alliance Technical Sales, Inc.

New Portable pH and ORP Measurement Instrument

The Pro2Go portable pH meter provides top flight
measurement capability in a handheld portable package.
Image courtesy Mettler Toledo

Mettler Toledo has combined a broad range of user-friendly features in an industrially rugged, versatile, accurate instrument for pH and redox measurements. The Pro2Go is light weight and designed for single-handed operation. With compatibility among analog and Mettler Toledo's ISM sensors, along with a graphic LCD display and intuitive menu operation in 10 languages, the unit will provide superior service throughout many industrial process operations.

A data sheet, included below, provides more detail on the robust pH and redox measurement system. Measurement data can be accumulated in the field, with up to 2000 readings stored in the unit available for simple transfer via USB connection.

For more detailed information, contact the process measurement specialists at Alliance Technical Sales. Share your process measurement challenges of all types with application specialists, leveraging your own knowledge and experience with their product application expertise to develop the most effective solutions.

Portable pH Meter for Process Measurement from Alliance Technical Sales, Inc.

Rugged Benchtop Refractometer

The DSA E-Scan is a benchtop refractometer
rugged enough for portable field use.
Image courtesy Electron Machine Corp.

Refractometry is a widely employed analytical technique used to indirectly measure dissolved solids content of subject liquids. The process employs a refractometer, a device or instrument, to determine the refractive index for a test sample. The measurement is employed throughout science and industry to assess a material's composition or purity.

The refractive index of a substance is dependent, in part, upon temperature and the wavelength of light used in the measurement. Common applications include Brix testing for sucrose level, along with others in the beverage, pulp and paper, chemical, flavor, and fragrance industries. Refractometry is used as a quality control measurement, to assure uniformity among product batches.

Manual refractometers have been available for many years and require human observation and interpretation of a scale reading to obtain a refractive index. Automatic, as well as in-line units are available today that provide uniform accuracy and faster sample processing.

The DSA E-Scan, manufactured by Electron Machine, is an automatic, bench-top critical angle refractometer with a digital readout and temperature-controlled sample chamber. Its compact size and rugged design permit operation in the field and in areas with limited space. The unit provides fast and accurate refractive index measurements of sample liquids.

Share your process analytical measurement challenges with liquid process analytics experts, leveraging your own knowledge and experience with their application expertise to develop effective solutions.

Dissolved Solids Analyzer Refractometer from Alliance Technical Sales, Inc.

Freeze Protection for All Sorts of Commercial and Industrial Things

Freeze protection requirements are ubiquitous and take many
forms. Each has a best solution employing a specialized heater.

Keeping process or inventory liquids from freezing, or becoming extremely viscous, can be an important part of any commercial or industrial operation. Freeze damage to equipment, piping, or containers can result in a wide array of consequences, all of them likely to be negative.

Developing an overall plan for freeze protection can be advantageous to attacking each application on an independent basis.

• Having a common vendor for all freeze protection equipment and supplies can help designers develop a knowledge base about how to meet application challenges with specific products, speeding implementation time. Service techs become familiar with applied products and methods, building their skills and efficiency at installing and maintaining applications throughout the facility.
• Identify all locations where freeze protection is needed. Develop a baseline of the methods employed and equipment installed to meet the needs of each location. Good records form the basis for good maintenance and the ability to make decisions regarding the operation and performance of each system.
• When selecting the products or methods to employ for freeze protection, consider the environment in which the hardware will be installed. Will it require protection from physical damage, chemical attack, or extreme weather. Is the installation space considered a hazardous zone, requiring special certifications for the heating equipment?
• The availability and control of applied heat can also be important. Is there a need for the heating system to deliver highly variable amounts of heat across the range of possible operating scenarios, in order to avoid overheating the process or stored materials? How quickly will the system need to ramp up to the desired operating temperature or respond to changes in an operating process?

These questions, and probably others specifically related to your application, should be part of the consideration for freeze protection applications. Enlisting the cooperation of a process heat specialist can apply leverage to your own process knowledge and experience to develop an effective solution to each challenge.

Check this link for a copy of the Freeze Protection Planning Guide.