Level probe for toothpaste

[rmacp]

Hi All

I work in a toothpaste manufacturing plant and we continually have problems with the capacitive probes we use for paste level detection (Endress+Hauser liquid level probes - they were there before I was!).

The problem is the paste "clings" to the probe, thus giving false readings.

Any suggestions for a better probe? Would a capacitive probe with 3 legs do the trick?

Any help appreciated,

rmacp.

 

[AFab]

Have you considered ultrasonics?

 

[rmacp]

I will be considering ultrasonics - the only problem I see is if the paste comes in contact with the ultrasonic head and contaminates it, which is a possibility. But there may be ways round that.

 

[quark]

You can use non contact type ultrasonic level transmitters if the fluid is not fuming. Radar transmitters are costlier but they also have some drawbacks.

Have you thought of vibratory tuning fork type level switches?(if you are already using capacitive type transmitter, I presume that you don't need continuous level monitoring)

The thread698-71018 is very interesting. Have a look at it.

Regards,

 

[Barry1961]

There is a type of "sensor" used in sewage pits to control level made of a soft hose filled with mercury and an assending row of contacts. As the sewage rises so does the mercury which makes the contacts. The mercury might not be a good idea where you are but a saline solution might work. There would be several sensors you could use once you had a "clean" change in level.

Barry1961

 

[rhodie]

1. Pressure transducer
2. Laser distance finder
3. Loadcell

 

[mechantaeus]

I defintely recommend the laser depth locating method: Non Contact , visible and quick.

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