Remote monitoring of sedimentation processes

Sludge level measuring systems are often installed on rotating scraper bridges. Communication between the field devices on the scraper bridge and the process control system cannot be wired due to the rotation movement. The use of sliding contacts for data transmission has proven to be susceptible to maintenance and faults. Corrosion and low signal power, but also the limited bandwidth for data transmission do not guarantee a sustainable solution. The wireless transmission of sludge level measurements offers significant advantages here.

KROHNE offers a tailored measurement solution with remote transmission of sludge level, clear water zone or sludge concentration. Depending on distance and customer requirements, data transfer can be either carried out using a Bluetooth gateway with two fixed pair modules (without IP and configuration effort) or a licence-free wireless system (Radioline).

Measurement solution with Bluetooth:

• The measurement solution with Bluetooth can be used for data transfer of analogue output signals over a distance of up to 200 m / 281 yd.

Measurement solution with free radio modem:

• The solution with license-free Radioline communication allows the 4…20 mA output signals of the sludge level measuring system to be transferred over 20 km / 12.4 mi. Due to the possibility of meshed and modularly expandable systems, this technology is ideally suited for networking secondary clarifiers, sludge storage tanks and other structures as well as measurement technology on the plant. The intelligent Radioline technology also compensates for partial failures in the overall network since the system itself looks for an alternative route to transmission via other intervening stations. Latest encryption standards provide data security.