Non-contact ultrasonic system offers a neat solution for sludge blanket interface monitoring and control

Citation

(2001), "Non-contact ultrasonic system offers a neat solution for sludge blanket interface monitoring and control", Sensor Review, Vol. 21 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/sr.2001.08721aad.005

Non-contact ultrasonic system offers a neat solution for sludge blanket interface monitoring and control

Non-contact ultrasonic system offers a neat solution for sludge blanket interface monitoring and control

Solartron Mobrey announces a new system for continuous, non-contact monitoring of the sludge blanket in municipal water and industrial effluent settling tanks. MSL600 (see Plate 5) combines a self-cleaning ultrasonic transducer and intelligent bridge-mounted control unit to provide high-accuracy measurement at relatively low cost. The unit comes complete with a built-in telemetry link option, for cost-effective wireless communication and control.

Plate 5 Solartron Mobrey's MSL600 is a new system for continuous, non-contact monitoring of the sludge blanket in municipal water and industrial effluent settling tanks

The MSL600 control unit is easily mounted on the tank bridge using the robust mounting bracket provided. The ultrasonic transducer unit, suspended in the supernatant below, transmits an ultrasonic pulse which is reflected off the sludge blanket. The system uses the time of flight of the echo to determine the height of the blanket to an accuracy of ±25mm.

Blanket level measurement is continuously displayed, along with a graphical display of the sludge profile as the bridge traverses the tank. Programmable relay and current (4-20mA/0-20mA) outputs are provided for control, alarm and remote display purposes.

To facilitate communications from a rotating tank bridge, or to reduce the cabling requirement from a fixed bridge, Solartron Mobrey has included the option for a telemetry link as standard on the MSL600. With the simple addition of an RF transmission aerial and a receiver unit in the control room, the link can be established easily at installation, or as a future upgrade. Removing the need to invest in expensive extra telemetry units makes the MSL600 a highly cost-effective solution in any application requiring wireless communications.

The MSL600 control unit features intuitive, menu-driven programming, making it very easy to set-up or to interrogate at any time without reference to a manual. Short-cut key options provide fast-navigation for experienced users. The sealed membrane key-pad and bright liquid crystal display ensure reliable operation in all weathers.

Fouling of the sensor face in the hostile environment of the sludge tank is prevented by an innovative air-purge system which cleans the face of debris at regular, user-programmable intervals. Much more effective than mechanical cleaning devices – which can themselves easily become fouled – the MSL600 air purge system maintains the reliability and accuracy of the measurement. As a result, the maintenance requirement is significantly reduced.

Despite its sophistication, functionality and accuracy, the MSL600 system is price-comparable with some of the most basic measurement systems available on the market.

For further inforrnation contact: Peta Glenister: Tel: +44 (0)1753 756600; Fax: +44 (0)1753 787109; E-mail: peta@mobrey.com; Web site: www.solartron.com