Angled Sleeve Level Detector for Foam Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wet flue gas desulfurization absorber towers, foam and aerated slurry accumulation can go undetected, leading to potential overflow and damage to equipment, as existing level detection methods are inadequate for accurately measuring these levels without causing probe damage or inaccuracy.
Innovation Solution
A level detector assembly comprising a sleeve mountable through a vessel wall at an angle of less than 45 degrees, equipped with a level sensing probe and a comparator module that measures foam and aerated slurry levels by subtracting liquid level measurements, allowing for external installation and removal without interior access, using RF admittance or guided wave radar probes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a level sensing probe is installed inside the vessel to measure foam and aerated slurry level, then measurement precision is improved, but the probe may be damaged by foam accumulation or require interior access for installation
Solution Approach 1:
A sleeve is introduced as an intermediary component that extends through the vessel wall and provides a protected pathway for the level sensing probe. The sleeve acts as a mediator between the external environment and the internal measurement function, allowing the probe to be installed externally while still accessing the foam level inside the vessel through the sleeve opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The level detection system is segmented into separate functional components: the sleeve mounted on the vessel exterior, the level sensing probe extending through the sleeve, and the comparator module. This segmentation allows the probe to be installed and removed externally without requiring interior access to the vessel, while maintaining measurement capability.
2Measurement precision
If a level sensing probe is installed inside the vessel to measure foam level, then measurement precision is improved, but installation and maintenance require access to the interior area
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve serves as an intermediary access pathway that extends through the vessel wall, enabling the level sensing probe to be installed and removed from the external side without requiring interior access to the vessel. The sleeve opening provides a controlled interface between the external environment and the internal measurement function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is divided into externally mounted components (sleeve and connectors) and the internal sensing element. This segmentation allows all installation and maintenance operations to be performed externally, while the level sensing probe remains positioned to accurately measure foam levels inside the vessel.
3Measurement precision
If the sleeve is mounted at a steep angle to the vessel wall, then the level sensing probe can be positioned optimally, but the probe may contact the sleeve wall causing measurement inaccuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve is designed with a specific local geometry at its mounting interface, with an angle of less than 45 degrees relative to the vessel wall. This local angular characteristic ensures that the level sensing probe, when extended through the sleeve, maintains adequate clearance from the sleeve wall while still providing optimal access to the foam level for accurate measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting angle parameter of the sleeve is optimized to be less than 45 degrees relative to the vessel wall. This parameter change ensures that the level sensing probe is positioned in a way that prevents contact with the sleeve wall, maintaining measurement accuracy while allowing for consistent and reliable level detection.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Accurately measures foam and aerated slurry levels, preventing overflow and equipment damage by providing precise level data for control signals to manage anti-foaming agents and level control valves, ensuring reliable operation of the desulfurization system.
Implementation Method 1
The level sensing probe can be a radio frequency (RF) admittance probe
Implementation Method 2
The level sensing probe can be a guided wave radar probe
Data Source
AI summary
A level detector 100 includes a sleeve 210 mountable to a vessel and extendable through a wall 212 defined by the vessel 212A and into an interior area 214 defined by the vessel. The sleeve 210 is mountable at an angle A of less than forty-five degrees relative to the vessel wall 212. The level detector 100 includes a level sensing probe 230 extending into a bore defined by an inside surface 218 of the sleeve 210. The level sensing probe 230 is configured to measure a plurality of foam and aerated slurry levels in the vessel 212A. One or more connectors 232, 244 are positioned outside 212B of the vessel 212A to removably support the level sensing probe 230 within the bore. The level sensing probe 230 is in communication with the interior area 214 via one or more openings 254, 258 extending into the bore.