Product category:
Level and tank contents instrumentation
News Release from: Endress + Hauser | Subject: TSP012899
Edited by the Processingtalk Editorial
Team on 10 November 2005
Measurement of hot sticky bitumen coated
roadstone
Endress+Hauser high temperature capacitance level probes have been used to tackle the level measurement of bitumen coated roadstone at the Tarmac Central Mancetter plant in Warwickshire
Tarmac is a leading supplier of coated roadstone from the Central Mancetter plant in Warwickshire The plant mixes different grades of aggregate with bitumen to produce the finished product
This article was originally published on Processingtalk on 26 Jun 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Endress+Hauser at Energy 2008
Join us on stand 106 at the National Motorcycle Museum, Birmingham 10-11 September, to find out how to save between 5 and 20% of energy costs by monitoring and targeting your energy consumption
The new hygienic Promass S Coriolis flowmeter
At the forefront in hygienic design, the new Endress+Hauser Promass S Coriolis mass flowmeter meets all possible hygienic requirements for use in the food and beverage industry
The road construction industry has faced a long-standing bin contents level measurement problem on coated stone plants.
Aggregates are typically kept at high temperatures in small narrow bins before being coated with bitumen to produce the final product for road surfaces.
The end product must remain sticky and warm for manipulation purposes.
Further reading
New Liquiphant density controller for liquids
Liquiphant is synonymous with reliable overspill protection in liquids: its capabilities have now been extended to include density measurement
Seminar on Oil Storage and Distribution
This Seminar will discuss the proactive methods that can be used for the prevention of incidents at Oil Storage Depots in the wake of the recent Buncefield and associated reports
The combination of temperature (180-200C) and location have always been the challenge.
Non-contact level measurement methods would be ideal but are prone to problems due to locational constraints.
The narrow shape of these hot stone bins and the fact that six of them filter downwards into one outlet means positioning any instrumentation is a difficult task.
The Endress+Hauser high temperature capacitance level probes (TSP012899) have recently been used to tackle this problem, with six probes installed at Mancetter.
Each probe was installed away from the infill to avoid any potential damage.
Extremely rugged and able to withstand heavy bulk material loads, the probes can handle temperatures up to 400C.
They are easy to set-up, removing the need for complicated programming and reducing costly commissioning time.
The probes also feature materials that are robust and yet easy to replace in the harsh environment inside the bins.
Tarmac Mancetter has experienced a whole range of benefits since the probes were installed.
It is now possible to reliably control levels, thus conserving energy used to heat the stone.
This then ensures the bitumen adheres to the product creating pliable, easy-to-manipulate tarmac for their customers.
The final outcome is that process cleanouts are significantly reduced and a greater number of vehicles are loaded and ready for site delivery as a result of using this clearout time for mixing tarmac.
A further benefit is that electronics are kept at significantly reduced ambient temperatures thus prolonging life.
The devices effectively paid for themselves within a very short time.
Kevin Alsop, Site Production Maintenance Supervisor, commented: "Since installation, the Endress+Hauser high temperature capacitance level probes have allowed us to maximise production with an increase of approx 8% available mixing time by reducing the need to cleanout over-feed from the bins.
Waste is reduced by approximately 50% per month, giving a possible revenue increase as a result. Request a free brochure from Endress + Hauser ...
There is also a reduction of approximately 200 vehicle movements per year on site, so we have a safer and more efficient unit.".
• Endress + Hauser: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Processingtalk email newsletter
• Processingtalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
