Recovery of Raw Materials
Chemical raw materials are valuable. That's why the basic substances are reclaimed from the residues of the production processes. A common method of product separation is recirculation into so-called separating bottles. These relatively long vessels are usually made of glass because of its high chemical resistance. The product mixture is transferred to the separating bottle where separation takes place via the difference in specific gravity. In order to have the separated products pumped out automatically, the total level as well as the position of the product interface must be known.
Interface Measurement with the VEGAFLEX 67
The guided microwave measurement technique can not only measure a simple level, but the position of a distinct liquid interface as well. The VEGAFLEX 67 sensor detects the layer thickness of the upper and lower phases. With the help of the measured values, the extraction, or reclamation, of the separated products can be optimized and automated.
The upper product layer must not be electrically conductive and must have a homogenous composition. Also, the dielectric constant must have a known, stable value. The only requirement on the lower product is that it have a higher dielectric constant (by 10) than the upper product. Other areas of application are oil separators or liquid gas tanks (LPG) in which the underlying water layer is measured.
