Replacement for Nuclear Density Meters
Replacement for Nuclear Density Meters
(OP)
As a potential replacement for nuclear gauges (We use Texas Nuclear Devices to monitor Brix (Density) in refining sugar), Coriolis meters show promise. Does any one have any experience with Coriolis meters as far as maintenance/reliability goes. Please share your success or failure stories.





RE: Replacement for Nuclear Density Meters
RE: Replacement for Nuclear Density Meters
RE: Replacement for Nuclear Density Meters
We replaced it with a coriolis meter and have never looked back. It controlled to a setpoint of 67 brix within reasonable limits.
We had to install traps before the meter to prevent foreign matter from blocking the tubes, but that's about it. It proved very reliable.
One other issue we picked up - when the brix fluctuates, the meter is usually blamed first. If your refinery uses sweetwater to dissolve the raw sugar, check the fluctuations in sweetwater brix. You may be surprised by what you find.
RE: Replacement for Nuclear Density Meters
You should also be sure that the software is up to spec.
Many coriolis mass flow meters also offer themselves as "coriolis" density meters. Be aware that some do not invest in a full density calibration, do not have full software capability for the calculations you need, and may not be as hgood at density as you would like. Then too they are often installed in a by-pass for density measurement which can lead to problems such as blocking and the by-pass adds cost. Mass meters are generally comparatively high in pressure drop so flow can be a problem unless a pump is used.
Purpose designed density meters such as the straight tube variety from Solartron, have a very good record for this type of application, are calibrated over a range of density values, incorporate pressure and tempetrature corrections for the sensor and allow for temperature compensation in the calculations plus they allow for other effects such as velocity of sound.
However, you may find that any flow through sensor adds cost, whatever its performancs because of valves, pumps , maintenance etc. In this case an insertion device will be preferred. This includes a range of vibrational devices from companie slike SOlartron, Hydramotion and so on.
When you do a web search for brix or density, don't forget companies such as Paar, who specialise in sugar and alcohol applications, and Cannongate who specilise in dairy and food applications.