Looking for foam sensor 1

[NewBern]

We have a 4" line that normally contains a water/methanol vapor flow of 1800 lb/hr at 230 deg F and 4 psig. During process upsets, a soap-like foam fills the line. We would like to use a sensor that would detect the foam flowing down the pipeline(prefer non-contact since the process tends to build a tar-like deposit). Does anyone have experience with a sensor application like this?

Thanks in advance for any recommendations.

 

[JLSeagull]

Yes but you may not like this example. One unit in the oil refining business is called a delayed coker. These include a non-contact neutron backscatter sensor for the coke level and foam sensor.

http://www.thermo.com/com/cda/product/detail/1,,10135049,00.html

 

[maddocks]

well, you could consider the use of a ultrasonic flow meter and pickup the rapidly changing fluid density?

 

[marianito]

the problem with NBS is the price and also that it consist of a radioactive neutron source....
we are working on a coker revamp and we are using the two possible technologies for level measurement, that are NBS and continuous gamma level.

best regards

mariano

 

[SteveGallagher]

Charis technology has a sensor for this which can fit into a pipeline.

Regards

 

[atayto]

Oil platforms in Caspian sea are using nucleonic level transmitter. They are very good. Difference between nucleonic leveltransmitter reading and displacement type level tramsmitter.reading is quite reliable detection of foaming. Another option is using nucleonic profiler. One nucleonic sourse can show level of foam, liquid, two immiscible liquids emulsion,interface level, level of solid deposits. For your case NewBern nucleonic density transmitters can be used. I beleive i helped some how. About price: you will be surpised how reliable this transmitters are. It worth to buy. Radiation levels are too low and no problems with safety.