KROHNE’s OPTISOUND3010C ultrasonic level gauge is occasionally inaccurate
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As the title indicates, given that the medium in question is relatively viscous, the KROHNE ultrasonic level gauge OPTISOUND3010C was chosen for use. It has been in use for about 3 months now, and since it is not used for measurement purposes, it meets the required functionality adequately. However, it has been recently discovered that occasionally (once every 3-4 days), there are periods of time during which the errors become very large, lasting around 2-3 hours; after some time, the problem disappears on its own and normal operation is restored. Occasionally, it triggers an overreading issue; you spend a lot of time trying various solutions, and even after emptying the tank, it still shows a full scale reading. It’s really frustrating – if you ignore it, it will settle down on its own after a while. What do you all think might be the situation?
It is very likely that during those 2-3 hours, the conditions of the medium or the environment inside your tank changed. Ultrasonic waves are highly sensitive to their environment; they are affected by steam, foam, as well as changes in temperature and pressure. In cases where these effects are severe, the instrument loses track of the sound waves returning, which can result in an indication that the tank is full. This does not mean that the tank is actually full, but rather that the instrument has lost contact with the returning sound waves. So it is recommended that you check the condition inside the tank during that period.
The sound waves emitted by ultrasonic level gauges are greatly affected by the surrounding environment. For example, the presence of high-power motors or pumps in the area around the gauge can generate electromagnetic fields that interfere with these sound waves; vibrations also affect the proper functioning of ultrasonic level gauges. Additionally, the conditions inside the tank and the location of installation are important factors as well. Pressure, temperature, water vapor condensation, and foam inside the tank can all cause the gauge to stop working temporarily or result in significant intermittent errors.