Exploring new territories with the PiloTREK W–200

Level measurement in a vinasse tank in a distillery

The newest product of NIVELCO's product range is the PiloTREK W–200 80 GHz microwave level transmitter family. It has been on the market for less than a year but faces several interesting challenges.

Gy?ri Szeszgyár és Finomító Zrt. is one of the largest food and beverage manufacturing companies in Hungary, where molasses (a by-product of sugar production, thick sugary syrup) is processed during alcohol production, from which, after the sugar is extracted, a so-called vinasse, containing valuable substances and trace elements, remains, which is in the form of organic fertilizer is sold. Vinasse is concentrated during production and delivered to customers with a dry matter content of 45%.?

The two most important areas of its use are: applied to the soil as an organic fertilizer and as a raw material for biogas power plants. Vinasse is a brownish-colored substance with a characteristic odor and a slightly acidic chemical effect.?

Its components are:?

• dry matter content of 40…45% by weight,?
• crude protein content of 25…30% by weight,?
• inorganic material of approximately 50%?
• organic matter of approximately 50%. Vinasse's pH varies in the 5.9…5.4 range.

The finished vinasse at +65…+80 °C (+149…+176 °F) is stored in a tank of ~8.5 m (~27.8 ft). There is a very large vapor cloud above the medium, which is also highly oxidizing.

Until now, hydrostatic measurement was used for this medium, but due to siltation, this measurement method was severely limited. Fortunately, there is a hole cut out on the tank where the vinasse vapor evaporates, and the PiloTREK WPA–224–4 microwave level transmitter was installed there. After commissioning in December, the device performed well, it was not affected by the harsh conditions, and everyone was satisfied.

On the other hand, during the cold weather in January, the user faced a new difficulty. Due to the cold, dense vinasse drops appeared every 5–7 days on the conical end of the device, which refused to drip off, thus interfering with the measurement.

The user developed two solutions. In one case, he blew air onto the tip continuously. Then he surrounded the emitting part with a perforated pneumatic tube, then installed knife nozzles around the emitter, with variable blowing strength and intermittent control. Unfortunately, neither method could prevent the accumulation of droplets after a while.

Then he came up with the idea that saved the day. He sprayed the conical surface with water-repellent silicone, and it finally solved the problem. Experience gained successfully.?

As the example shows, commercially available silicone and nanotech coatings can solve precipitation problems during the measurement of many substances with very unpleasant properties.

Source: NIVELCO Magazine 2023/1