EmulsionSENS Multiphase Level Measurement - Berthold Technologies GmbH & Co.KG

TECHNOLOGY HIGHLIGHTS

Measurement arrangement of EmulsionSENS and the resulting density profile

Two different arrangements

Aligned arrangement

Sources and detectors at same height
Output: Density values of each detector
Very precise point information
Density accuracy approx. 0.002 g/cm³
Cost effective

Staggered arrangement

Sources between detectors
Outputs: Density values of each detector and level of each layer
Precise information also between detectors
Reproducibility of the measured level values with accuracy of ± 25 mm
Configuration and visualization via transmitter unit

Optimal measuring arrangement

Non-contact measurement - Detectors and electronics have no contact with the interior of the vessel
Representative measurement due to high-energy gamma sources and a long measurement path in the product
Depending on requirements, two different arrangements (aligned or staggered) are available

Reliability and safety

Use under extreme process conditions possible
Redundant readings - density and level
Dose minimization - Use of low activities and safe handling of sources by using flange mounted shieldsUse of low activities and sources that can be retracted into flange mounted shields
Impervious to wall buildups

Like a dream

"Perfect design and great result. It’s performing like a dream! Many, many thanks to all of you for the focus and making it happen. Bye, bye iron"

SIL certified option

The SENSseries LB 480 density detectors used to measure density in the EmulsionSENS soltuion are available with a SIL2 certificate. SIL3 can achieved with redundant installation of two LB 480 detectors at each location. Berthold is the first manufacturer of SIL certified, radiometric low level, high level, continuous level, and density measurement systems. With these certified detectors, safe operation of critical processes is guaranteed.

More about SIL

Detector retrofit program to improve your production

Especially in low radiation conditions, our highly sensitive detectors improve the signal to noise ratio, resulting in superior performance when compared to competing system. Replacing your existing detector with a more sensitive Berthold detector will delay source replacement, which is costly, time consuming what is resulting in superior measurement performance compared to competing systems. Source replacement is costly, time consuming, and does not work towards a reduction in overall site source activity.

Berthold's retrofit solution

The EmulsionSENS system components

Highly sensitive scintillation detectors

Offering features such as 304 or 316 L housing materials and SIL 2/3 certification, the highly sensitive LB 480 detectors are the ideal density meters for this measurement setup. The number of detectors used depends on the measuring range and the desired resolution. For the correct positioning of the detectors on the vessel outer wall, a robust, tailor-made mounting structure is used. Due to this arrangement, the detectors and the electronics are easily accessible for assembly and are also unaffected by the process temperatures in the vessel itself. The local density values of the individual detectors can be transferred to the customer control system via a 4 ... 20 mA HART signal.

More about this detector

Dip tube

A dip tube (dry well) is inserted inside the vessel to position the sources correctly and prevent them contacting the vessel's contents. In order to ensure an almost identical distance between the dip tube and the container inner wall across the entire measuring range, the geometry of the dip tube is determined by the vessel orientation: a straight dip tube is used for vertical cylindrical vessels; a curved dip tube is used for horizontal cylindrical vessels. Each dip tube is custom designed and is available in different materials.

Sources

The radiation sources are encapsulated gamma sources (Cs-137), which are installed in flexible rods. The number of sources or flexible rods is determined by the measuring range and the desired measuring arrangement.
Our sources are individually designed by our project engineers for each application, to minimize activity and doserate and optimize accuracy.

Go to sources

Shields

Berthold supplies a flange mounted shield into which the sources and flexible rods can be withdrawn and locked out for transport, storage, and to ensure the safety of workers needing to access the vessel. The height of the shields are minimized by using multiple flexible rods, but the shield effectiveness is maintained to minimize doserate.

For more information about Berthold shields, please follow the link below.

More about shields

Transmitter LB 478

If the levels of the individual layers are required, the LB 480 density outputs are connected to an LB 478 transmitter and the sources and detectors are staggered vertically. Using sophisticated algorithms, this LB 478 unit determines the exact position of the individual layers and outputs level values as 4..20 mA HART signals. In this case, monitoring both densities and phase levels ensures redundant signal transmission. The transmitter LB 478 also provides simple configuration of the system and a visual display of both the individual phase levels and various graphs.

Whitepaper

Berthold has published the whitepaper “Multiphase level measurement - Improving level control in desalters to aid in use of opportunity crudes”, describing the different technologies for multiphase level measurement and their potential drawbacks, including the different nuclear density profile systems. This paper shows how Berthold with its highly sophisticated radiometric multiphase level measurement system EmulsionSENS helps refiners to optimize the separation process, minimize the probability of failure, increase efficiency, save chemicals, and reduce operating costs.

Get your copy