Most reliable level switch?
Most reliable level switch?
(OP)
A bit of background: I'm installing a centrifuge on a tug boat but it has no settling tank. I can't use the tried and true crew transfers from storage tanks to settler then centrifuge transfers and cleans from settler to the day tank. The day tank overflows back to the settler so you just leave the centrifuge running all of the time and it polishes the fuel as it circulates. What I plan to do instead is have the centrifuge draw from the storage tanks and fill the day tank to a certain level where it will switch to a recirculating mode and draw from the day tank instead.
What I need are some highly reliable level switches. While diesel fuel is relatively clean I have seen it darken sight glasses and grow bacteria sludge. This is also a high vibration environment so float switches are totally out of the question. What are your favorite level switches? I'm leaning towards tuning fork switches due to the heartbeat option. I also need it to fail in a shut down position. I'm also looking at using solid state relays. Failure is ok as long as it shuts down. I don't want to overflow the tank.
What I need are some highly reliable level switches. While diesel fuel is relatively clean I have seen it darken sight glasses and grow bacteria sludge. This is also a high vibration environment so float switches are totally out of the question. What are your favorite level switches? I'm leaning towards tuning fork switches due to the heartbeat option. I also need it to fail in a shut down position. I'm also looking at using solid state relays. Failure is ok as long as it shuts down. I don't want to overflow the tank.





RE: Most reliable level switch?
Are you sure you want to automate such a critical system?
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: Most reliable level switch?
Keith Cress
kcress - http://www.flaminsystems.com
RE: Most reliable level switch?
The day tank of course should overflow back into the main storage tank if possible.
Mount the switches from the top so it's possible to remove them without shutting down.
RE: Most reliable level switch?
RE: Most reliable level switch?
My favorite level "switch"? I like ultrasonics for powders in tanks. Load cells are great for bulk materials, which may not be consistently free-flowing, in bins. Water in tanks; I've had good results with floats, ultrasonics, pressure diff, IR photo, prox, refractory, and probably others I'm just not thinking of.
I'm no marine guy, but a harbor tug, a barge tug doing canal work, and seagoing all are much different environments. You may need to define your problems and needs a bit more.
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(Me,,,wrong? ...aw, just fine-tuning my sarcasm!)
RE: Most reliable level switch?