Special Design Magnetic Level Gauge Overcomes Slug Catcher Level Challenges

In normal pipeline applications where gas and liquid moves together, gravity pushes the liquid component to the bottom of the pipe and the gas component flows above. In some situations however, the gas and liquid may combine and form a plug. In the pipeline industry these plugs are referred to as "slugs". Slugs can cause problems at the pipeline outlet as they can easily overload a plant's ability to handle the liquid or gas flow safely or efficiently.

In order to avoid problems with slugs, the use of a "slug catcher" is deployed. Located between the process equipment and the pipeline outlet, slug catchers are vessels with enough holding capacity to hold a slug as they travel down the pipeline. The additional holding capacity allows for the gradual draining of liquids from the system to avoid system overload.

MONITORING SLUG CATCHER LEVEL

The biggest problem for slug catcher applications is solids accumulation. The build-up occurs naturally during normal operations. Solids will continue to accumulate until they are physically removed.

Solids accumulate in the piping around the vessel/drum. This can cause operational failure as the piping can get congested. Solids build-up on sight glasses is very dangerous because the sight glass is a critical component to the operation of a slug catcher.
The most common liquids measured are hydrocarbons and water. Once the sight glass accumulates solids or discoloration on the viewing window, the liquids may not be visible at all.

MAGNETIC LEVEL GAUGE

To overcome all of the challenges that slug catcher applications pose for safe and reliable level monitoring, Jogler engineers created the following design that has been implemented and proven over many years of operation:

INDIRECT LEVEL MEASUREMENT 
Unlike a sight glass, a magnetic level gauge does not include direct sight of the liquid. Instead, the level is magnetically conveyed via the interaction of flags in the external scale assembly and magnets in the float. This makes it impossible for the glass to become clogged or dirty. Therefore, a magnetic level gauge offers constant, unimpeded liquid level viewing that will not deteriorate with any solids accumulation.

GUIDE RODS
To prevent solids from interfering with proper operation of the float, the chamber is made from a 3” pipe with a 2” or 2.5” float and guide rods (other configurations available). This allows space for the solids to accumulate without interfering with the float traveling.

COATING
To help avoid buildup, the float and internal chamber can be coated with various products, such as Teflon S, to prevent fouling buildup on the float. If buildup can occur on the float, the weight of the float will increase give false low level readings.

CUSTOM FLOATS
An important part of the function of a magnetic level gauge is the design of the internal float. Floats can be engineered to handle various liquids, including extremely light hydro-carbons. To compensate for potential solids build-up, extra buoyancy can be included in the design of a float to ensure it can power through the solids without hanging up.

MAGNETIC PARTICLE TRAPS
In some slug catcher applications, iron sulfides and other ferromagnetic particles may be present. These magnetic particles present a risk to the long-term operation of the float, accumulating on the float’s magnets. This can increase the weight of the float causing false low level readings and can even build up to the point where the float sinks or gets stuck. To eliminate these risks, a magnetic particle trap can be installed on one or more of the process connections. The magnetic particle trap consists of high strength super-magnets that are placed in the flow path to the magnetic level gauge. These magnets collect any magnetic particles that can make it to the chamber to protect against build-up on the float. The magnetic particle trap is designed  easily be removed from the process connections so it can be periodically cleaned.

HEAT TRACING / INSULATION
In applications where process liquid in the slug catcher can be viscous, factory-installed heat tracing and insulation can be used to decrease the liquid viscosity. This will eliminate situations where the float will be sluggish to react to changing liquid levels or even freeze up entirely. Self-regulating electric heat trace cable provides a reliable heat tracing solution that is customizable to available power connections (typically 120VAC or 240VAC), process temperature, and minimum ambient temperature.

For more information, contact Alliance Technical Sales. Call 630-321-9646 or visit https://alliancets.com.

Continuous, Real-time Measurement for Full Visibility of Total Organic Carbon (TOC) in Pure and Ultra-Pure Water Systems

At-line batch method of monitoring total organic carbon (TOC), which takes measurements at set intervals, is the equivalent of taking snapshots of information. The gaps between measurement intervals could easily miss a critical event, whereas on-line, continuous TOC monitoring done by the Mettler Toledo 6000TOCi total organic carbon analyzer captures any-and-all excursions in real-time.

Monitoring total organic carbon levels is critical to meeting internal water quality specifications and global pharmacopeia regulatory requirements. Missing an increase in TOC levels can put you at risk of contaminating your water system, which in turn could affect production and potentially lead to an out-of-spec event or product recall.

Most TOC analyzers on the market offer at-line batch or non-continuous methods of total organic carbon measurement, which limits TOC data collection to every 6-12 minutes. But much can happen in six minutes.  When you are subject to an audit or have a quality problem, how are you sure that you did not experience a problematic TOC excursion between batch samples?

The 6000TOCi analyzer’s true continuous measurement along with its comprehensive record keeping and advanced diagnostics provide audit-ready TOC compliance and complete control of your water system.

DOWNLOAD THE 6000TOCi TOTAL ORGANIC CARBON ANALYZER CATALOG HERE

Alliance Technical Sales
https://alliancets.com
630-321-9646

Coronavirus Update

March 2020, CLARENDON HILLS, IL ~ ~ Our primary concern is for the health & well-being of our employees, customers, partners, & our community. Until a time when the COVID-19 virus is under control, all Alliance Technical Sales employees will be working from home with all telephone calls being forwarded to cell phones. Key administrative and warehouse personnel will manage critical business functions such as shipping, receiving, and accounting at our main facility. Although we do not foresee any real disruption in operations, your patience & support is greatly appreciated.

We understand that most of our manufacturing & municipal customers are still tasked with continuing operations during these challenging times. With directives on practicing social distancing, Alliance Technical Sales is committed to supporting our customers through a variety of virtual avenues – teleconferencing, multiple web conferencing systems, remote instrument diagnostics, & many other technology tools. Additionally, our sales engineers and service technicians are available for plant visits to support critical issues. If there are any instrument applications or issues we can assist with, please do not hesitate to contact us at (630) 321-9646 or sales@alliancets.com.

Calibration of the Mettler Toledo InPro 3250 Sensor and M400 Transmitter

The Mettler Toledo Process Analytics InPro 3250 is a pre-pressurized liquid-electrolyte pH probe with temperature sensor. The InPro 3250 are designed for an extensive range of applications in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical and chemical process industries.

The Mettler Toledo M400 is a 4-wire transmitter with multi-parameter and ISM capabilities.

This video demonstrates the process of calibrating an analog InPro 3250 pH sensor connected to an M400 transmitter.

Contact Alliance Technical Sales for all your Mettler Toledo Process Analytics products. Call them at 630-321-9646 or visit them at https://alliancets.com.

Emergency De-Icing and Thawing for Industrial Pipes, Valves and Tanks

Reprinted with permission from BriskHeat

Download the PDF version of this application note here.

The cold weather can wreak havoc on exposed valves, pumps, pipes, bearings, filter housing, and other industrial objects. When these parts freeze, they typically become unusable, and in extreme conditions damaged. The freezing and damage causes extended and unwanted downtown and in some cases, costly repairs. Production teams cannot afford to allow the weather to restrict their productivity, and need a solution to remedy these problems quickly and safely.

De-Icing and Thawing Solution

BriskHeat’s HSTAT silicone rubber heating tape is the perfect tool for providing temporary heat to quickly get frozen systems back up and running and reduce downtime. When confronted with a stuck or frozen system, wrap the HSTAT heating tape around the frozen part, set the temperature, and allow the heat to quickly thaw/unfreeze the part. The easy-to-use portable heat tape provides instant localized heat to quickly de-ice parts efficiently and safely. When finished, the HSTAT heating tape is easily rolled up and kept in a toolbox or cabinet, ready for use again when needed.

HSTAT heating tapes are available in a variety of lengths and have a thin design for maximum
versatility, and extreme flexibility. They can be fit around nearly any shape or size component. A built-in adjustable controller regulates the temperature which can provide intense heat of up to 450°F (232°C). HSTAT heating tapes offer true performance and reliability in even the coldest conditions down to -60°F (-51°C). The easy to use plug-and-play design requires no need for special wiring. They feature BriskHeat’s patented, multi-stranded heating element for ultimate flexibility and reliability.

Additional Uses

HSTAT heating tapes have many additional uses. These include process control needs where a unique process requires heat, or for viscosity related needs where heat is used to reduce viscosity and increase flow, and more. They are used as a temporary heat source when needed or as a permanent installation. HSTAT heating tapes are used to heat all types of objects that require elevated temperatures.

For more information, contact Alliance Technical Sales. Call them at 630-321-9646 or visit their web site at https://alliancets.com.

Eliminate Delayed Oxygen Measurement Safety Risk in Your Process Gas Analyzer

Having a car alarm that goes off 15 seconds after a break-in puts you at risk of property damage and significant loss. If you wouldn't take this risk with your car, why take it in your process plant?

If you're using an extractive oxygen analyzer that requires sampling and conditioning to prevent explosive conditions, that's exactly what you're getting - an alert up to 60 seconds after an oxygen build up is started. Using an extractive analyzer that requires sampling and conditioning means it's impossible to get real-time information. Measurements are delayed by up to a minute as the sample travels through pipes to the analyzer. In addition oxygen in the sample can be diluted by the gas ahead of and behind it, resulting in a falsely flat excursion curve. An alarm threshold may not be met when it should, so you get one, perhaps inaccurate, result in one minute.

Eliminate the risk. Get continuous real-time measurement. The GPro 500 tunable diode laser gas analyzer from Mettler-Toledo measures in-situ, without the need for sampling and conditioning. It provides continuous measurement and safety-critical applications, so you'll know about oxygen excursions immediately. Don't leave your plant safety up to delayed measurement. Rethink safety. Rethink gas analytics.

For more information, contact Alliance Technical Sales. Call them at 630-321-9646 or visit their web site at https://alliancets.com.

Happy New Year from Alliance Technical Sales!