—– Measurement Systems / Continuous Level
Reliable Continuous Level Measurement Across the Full Measurement Range
Non-contact radiometric, or nuclear, continuous level measurement reliably measures liquids or bulk solids through the vessel wall, even when heat, pressure, corrosive or abrasive material, foam, vapor, buildup or internal obstructions make conventional level instruments unreliable.
THE MEASUREMENT CHALLENGE
Process conditions can work against conventional level instruments
Inside the vessel, probes, floats and other internal devices can be exposed to extreme heat and pressure, corrosive or caustic chemicals, abrasive solids, viscous material, agitation, dust, vapor, foam and product buildup.
These conditions can distort measurement readings, shorten instrument life, and introduce another process penetration, wear point, or potential leak path. Changing density, uneven material surfaces, and internal structures can further complicate a stable reading across the full level range.
THE RONAN APPROACH
Measure through the vessel wall from outside the process
Ronan continuous level systems keep the source holder and detector outside the vessel, protected from heat, pressure, corrosion and abrasion. As material rises or falls, the system measures the change in energy reaching the detector and converts it into a continuous level reading.
The system reduces the effect of build-up, and is able to compensate for foam, gases, vapor-density changes, source decay and expected changes in material density to maintain a stable, repeatable measurement.
For unusually wide vessels or challenging geometries, the source may be placed in a dry well.
HOW IT WORKS
Three coordinated components create one continuous level measurement.
A source holder and detector span the measurement range. As material rises or falls, the energy reaching the detector changes. The transmitter converts that change into a continuous level reading.
STEP 1
The source holder defines the measurement path.
It directs a controlled beam of gamma energy through the vessel across the required level range.
STEP 2
The detector tracks the changing level.
Rising material attenuates more of the beam; falling material allows more energy to reach the detector.
STEP 3
The microprocessor displays the signal.
The microprocessor filters, compensates and converts the detector signal into continuous
level reading.
The system is engineered around the vessel and measurement span
Ronan evaluates the vessel’s size and shape, wall thickness, internals, insulation, material characteristics and required level range to determine the source position, detector configuration and beam path.
What determines the continuous level configuration:
- Tank, reactor, pressure vessel, silo or hopper dimensions and required level span
- Wall thickness, insulation, refractory and internals along the measurement path
- Material density and expected variation during operation
- Foam, gas, vapor, buildup, agitation and uneven material surfaces
When a fully external beam path is not practical
Most systems mount entirely outside the vessel. For some wide vessels, thick walls or difficult geometries, Ronan may position the sealed source inside an engineered dry well. The dry well isolates the source from the process while shortening the beam path through the vessel. This configuration requires application-specific engineering and may require planned vessel modification.
Common applications include
- Tanks, reactors, pressure vessels, columns and separators
- Coke drums, digesters, blow tanks and liquor vessels
- Silos, bins and hoppers
- High-temperature process vessels
Continuous Level by Industry
See applications and process challenges:
Technical Resources
- Continuous Level brochure
- Continuous Level data sheet
- X96S Continuous Level IO Manual
- X96SI Continuous Level IO Manual
- Continuous Level Measurement of Black Liquor & Soap
- Continuous Level Measurement of Coke Drums
- Continuous Level, Point Level and Density Measurement for Oil Drilling and Extraction Applications
Need help with your measurement application?
Ronan will work closely with you to develop a reliable measurement solution for your most challenging process applications.
If you need immediate assistance, please contact us directly.
About
For more than 60 years, Ronan Engineering has manufactured reliable and leading-edge instrumentation systems. As providers of real-time monitoring and measurements of critical process control points, Ronan has kept some of the world’s largest plants, factories, and facilities running safely and efficiently. Ronan has established manufacturing, sales and service facilities in Kentucky and the United Kingdom.