The ELL sonar-type external level gauge solves the problem of measuring liquid levels in nitric acid tanks!

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Properties of nitric acid: Nitric acid is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula HNO3. It is a colorless liquid with a strong, irritating odor. Nitric acid is a strong acid that can react with bases to produce corresponding salts and water; it can be used to create \"aqua regia\". Aqua regia is a strong acid mixture composed of 25% nitric acid and 75% hydrochloric acid; it is an extremely powerful oxidizing agent and solvent, and it got its name because it can dissolve gold. Why is it difficult to measure nitric acid levels? Nitric acid is an important chemical substance that is widely used in industry for the production of fertilizers, **, dyes, medicines, and more. Nitric acid is oxidizing and can react violently with many substances; it can dissolve most metals. Therefore, choosing the right level measurement instrument for nitric acid tanks poses a challenge for some companies. Traditional level measurement instruments pose the risk of corrosion of components inside the tank. Can the external level measurement technology invented by Dinghua Electronics solve this measurement problem? Can a sonar-type external level gauge measure the liquid level in nitric acid tanks accurately and reliably? Next, let’s take a look at several practical examples of sonar-type external level gauges being used in nitric acid tanks. Case 1: A subsidiary company of a group in Henan Province https://nwzimg.wezhan.cn/contents/sitefiles2057/10285453/images/48730996.png△Field application of external level gauges in nitric acid tanks – Measurement challenges. The 18 nitric acid tanks at this company originally used radar level gauges; however, due to the volatility and strong corrosiveness of nitric acid, these radar level gauges were damaged by corrosion, requiring replacement every year or so, which resulted in high costs. Additionally, the maintenance workload for the technicians was considerable ； Existing magnetic flap valves do not have remote transmission capabilities; therefore, the work required for rewiring and DCS modifications, along with the associated costs, are too high to make such implementation feasible. △Dinghua Electronics’ customer service engineers installed the ELL-FI-CE sonar-type external level gauge on-site as a solution. In August 2016, after consulting various sources, the person in charge of instrumentation at the company chose Dinghua Electronics’ products to address this issue with level measurement. In September of the same year, Dinghua Electronics developed a testing plan for the enterprise, selecting the ELL-FI-CE Enhanced Generation II sonar-type external level gauge, and arranged for customer service engineers to go to the site to guide the installation and carry out the debugging work. https://nwzimg.wezhan.cn/contents/sitefiles2057/10285453/images/48730998.png△ The customer service engineers from Dinghua Electronics provided on-site guidance for installation. As a result, the level signal generated by the gauge at the site was stable and clear, with few noise signals and a small measurement blind spot. Neither deposits inside the tank nor corrosion on the tank walls affected the accurate and stable measurement provided by the external level gauge. The deputy general manager of the company, who was in charge of instrumentation, never expected that the measurement problem that had plagued the company for years could be solved so easily. The external level gauge overturned the traditional concept of level measurement, which held that stable measurements required direct contact with the liquid. After a year of trial and observation, the company fully recognized the excellent performance of the ELL-FI-CE Enhanced Generation II sonar-based external level gauge in nitric acid tanks, and subsequently installed this product on all such tanks. Case 2: A pharmaceutical and chemical company in Hubei △Application site of the ELL-FI-CE type sonar-based external level gauge; Measurement challenges. In 2017, a project was launched to upgrade the level gauge used in the tank for concentrated nitric acid. When the tank was built, no level gauge was designed for use there; therefore, it was necessary to install level measurement equipment as part of this upgrade. Several key issues arose during this process: 1. How to carry out the upgrade without shutting down production ； 2. The medium under test is concentrated nitric acid, which is highly corrosive and volatile ； 3. There are no pre-made holes in the can, and it is not possible to make holes in it. After consulting various parties and conducting investigations, the solution provider determined that the sonar-based external level gauge invented by Dinghua Electronics could meet all the aforementioned requirements; as a result, two ELL-FI-CE type sonar-based external level gauges were selected. On January 25, 2018, the customer service engineers from Dinghua Company completed the installation and calibration of the instruments on site; they were operating properly, and the acceptance was carried out successfully. Results: As of now, it has been in use for over 5 years, with excellent performance, and no required routine maintenance. Case 3: A large chemical enterprise in Hebei. This enterprise previously used radio frequency admittance level gauges in its nitric acid tanks, which frequently malfunctioned. In March 2018, our company’s customer service engineers recommended that the client use Dinghua Electronics’ two-wire intrinsically safe ELL-FI-BI sonar-type external level gauge. The power and signal cables originally used for the radio frequency admittance level gauge were utilized on site, and Dinghua Electronics’ customer service engineers went to the site to assist with the installation and commissioning. https://nwzimg.wezhan.cn/contents/sitefiles2057/10285453/images/48731000.jpghttps://nwzimg.wezhan.cn/contents/sitefiles2057/10285453/images/48731001.jpg△DCS level curve: It has been in use for 5 years now; it provides accurate and reliable measurements, and requires no routine maintenance. In summary, the sonar-type external level gauge can be effectively used in storage containers for nitric acid of various concentrations. Due to the strong corrosive nature of nitric acid, which can dissolve most common metals, containers for storing nitric acid are often made of aluminum. This is because nitric acid and aluminum undergo a passivation reaction that forms an oxide layer on the surface of the aluminum, thereby slowing down or preventing further corrosion of the aluminum. Aluminum is a non-ferromagnetic material. When using an ELL acoustic external level gauge, it is necessary to attach the level sensing probe to the bottom of the container; to obtain accurate and stable level data, it is essential that the probe fit tightly against the tank wall. Dinghua Electronics is able to customize probe adhesive bases for containers of different sizes and arc shapes, enabling the liquid level measurement probes to fit tightly against the tank walls and thus ensuring excellent measurement performance for ELL sonar-based external liquid level gauges. What other unique advantages does the ELL sonar-type external level gauge have in addition to the features mentioned above? 01 From nothing to something: supported by practical examples, continuous improvement. The invention patent for the sonar-type external level gauge obtained by Dinghua Electronics in 1990 was the result of 8 years of research, testing, verification, and refinement. It went through a process of development from scratch, filling a gap in global level measurement technology; it is equivalent to having the “source code” for this product, with computer systems covering both the hardware and software aspects. Over these more than 30 years, Dinghua Electronics has gathered information on over 1,000 domestic and international users and their applications in hundreds of different operating conditions. By relying on this first-hand data, the company continues to improve and upgrade its external level measurement technologies, enabling customers to tailor the best measurement solutions for their specific conditions. 02 High precision, high stability, and minimal blind zone. Through over 30 years of practical application, Dinghua Electronics has developed and continuously improved its unique patented technologies: “micro-vibration analysis technology,” “minimal blind zone technology,” “variable-frequency ultrasound technology,” and “sensor technology.” These technologies ensure the highest stability and the smallest possible blind zone for sonar-based external level gauges, earning it the **Second Prize for Technical Invention** ； Another invention by Dinghua Electronics, the “automatic calibration technology,” has also been replicated by similar products, but Dinghua Electronics is the only manufacturer of external liquid level gauges to have **certification, with a maximum accuracy of ±1mm. 03 Intelligent diagnosis and remote control: Dinghua Electronics’ external liquid level measuring devices feature intelligent diagnostic capabilities; by utilizing advanced detection technologies, they provide information on the instrument’s operating status, types of faults, and maintenance methods. Additionally, they enable remote control of the system through digital codes. 04 Safe and reliable – the preferred choice for technical upgrades. In 2017, it received the SIL3 certification for \"functional safety integrity\" from the Shanghai Instrumentation Institute. It requires no drilling, no use of fire, no tank cleaning, and no production shutdown, making it the ideal method for measuring tank levels in projects involving the renovation of safety instrument systems. 05 Prompt response and high-quality service: Dinghua Electronics always puts customer needs first. For complex technical issues, it assigns one-on-one technical engineers to resolve them. In addition, Dinghua Electronics has a sales and service network across the country, allowing regional managers to provide customers with service and technical support promptly.