Level Measurement

Level Measurement

Endress+Hauser’s level portfolio spans every major continuous and point‑level principle needed for liquids, slurries, and bulk solids: free‑space radar (Micropilot), guided wave radar (Levelflex), ultrasonic (Prosonic), hydrostatic transmitters (Deltapilot/Waterpilot), and differential pressure solutions, complemented by radiometric (Gammapilot) and servo tank gauging (Proservo), plus vibronic, capacitive, conductive, float, paddle, and microwave‑barrier switches. A consistent design language and options such as Heartbeat Technology, Bluetooth® access via the SmartBlue app, and (on selected devices) PROFINET over Ethernet‑APL give designers a common lifecycle model from basic utilities to custody transfer. Selection follows the FLEX concept (Fundamental, Lean, Extended, Xpert) so you can align capability, risk, and cost across a site without changing your operating paradigm.

For non‑contact continuous level in both process vessels and silos, Micropilot free‑space radar covers 26–80 GHz. The 80 GHz FMR6x generation tightens beam angles for better separation of nozzles and internals, adds verification/monitoring with Heartbeat Technology, and brings digital options such as web‑based setup, Bluetooth access, and Ethernet‑APL. Application‑specific variants include FMR60 for demanding liquid duties and FMR67 for powdery/granular solids, both developed to IEC 61508 and proven in dust, vapor, and agitation. New hygienic designs (e.g., FMR63B) provide guided commissioning and proof‑test wizards for regulated industries. The result is shorter projects, safer proof tests, and stable measurement even in tall, narrow, or dusty geometries.

Guided wave radar (Levelflex) is the go‑to when foam, vapor blankets, or changing dielectric constant complicate echoes. Because the microwave pulse is guided along a rod, rope, or coax probe, measurement remains stable in bridles and stilling wells, through fill/empty transients, and at interfaces. The FMP51 covers a wide liquid scope, including interface; the FMP52 provides chemically resistant, hygienic PFA‑coated probes; and the FMP54 adds gas‑phase compensation for steam boilers and high‑pressure ammonia service with ceramic‑graphite sealing and gas‑tight feedthroughs. Levelflex’s multi‑echo tracking and HistoROM data management enhance availability and simplify device replacement, useful where access is limited and proof testing must be efficient.

Ultrasonic Prosonic sensors offer economical, non‑contact measurement where radar is unnecessary or plastic tanks and open basins dominate. Compact FMU30/FMU40 devices handle general tank level, stockpiles, and conveyor monitoring; controller FMU90 drives one or two transducers to spans up to ~45 m and adds open‑channel flow equations (weirs/flumes), multiple totalizers, pump and rake control, and diagnostics via envelope curve display. This is a mainstay for water/wastewater lift stations, headworks, clarifiers, and lagoons where aeration, solids content, and variable temperature require robust signal processing without intrusive wetted hardware.

Hydrostatic level remains a simple, robust choice for tanks, sumps, and wells. Deltapilot transmitters with the condensate‑resistant CONTITE measuring cell deliver stable level in paste‑like media and are approved for SIL 2 applications; cable and rod versions address in‑vessel or external mounting. Where submersible probes make sense, Waterpilot FMX21 provides an oil‑free ceramic cell, HART and integrated temperature with options for drinking water, seawater, and sludge, ideal for reservoirs, boreholes, and lift stations. For pressurized tanks or tall columns, electronic and classic differential‑pressure Deltabar systems extend the same lifecycle model to inferred level with remote seals or dual‑sensor electronic dp.

Reliable point‑level detection underpins overfill protection and dry‑run safety. Liquiphant vibronic switches (e.g., FTL51B) are unaffected by viscosity, density, turbulence, air bubbles, or foam and include guided proof‑test wizards, triggerable locally or via digital comms, for SIL 2/3 safety loops. For solids, Soliphant vibronic forks handle powders and low bulk densities; where a mechanical solution is preferred, Soliswitch rotary paddles provide robust full/empty alarms even in harsh, dusty silos. When you need non‑contact point detection through non‑metallic walls or across chutes, Soliwave microwave barriers (emitter/receiver pairs) solve “flow/no‑flow” and blockage detection without breaching the process. Electromechanical Silopilot plumb‑bob systems remain practical for very tall, dusty bunkers when other principles are impractical.

Specialized applications are covered without compromising traceability. Radiometric Gammapilot FMG50 enables non‑intrusive level, interface, and density on reactors, autoclaves, cyclones, and acid tanks, now in a compact, true two‑wire loop‑powered design that reduces wiring and supports Heartbeat and Bluetooth options. For custody transfer and inventory, Proservo NMS80/81 delivers high‑accuracy servo gauging with NMi/PTB approvals and compliance to OIML R85 and API 3.1B, while Micropilot NMR81 provides 80 GHz radar with a narrow 3° beam for free‑space gauging up to ~70 m, also certified for custody transfer. Together they form a complete tank farm toolkit from product level and interface to density, temperature integration, and strapping table workflows.

What ties the portfolio together is a digital lifecycle foundation: Heartbeat Technology for continuous diagnostics, on‑demand verification, and structural monitoring, extending proof‑test intervals and documenting instrument integrity without process interruption; HistoROM for safe parameter and event data handling; and secure local access via SmartBlue Bluetooth to reduce time in hazardous areas. On selected platforms you can add Ethernet‑APL or standardize on familiar protocols (HART, PROFIBUS PA, PROFINET), so modernization doesn’t force system redesign. Combined with FLEX‑guided selection, you can rationalize spares, standardize workflows, and still optimize per service, from water plants and chemical reactors to silos, cokers, and tank farms.

Vector, your Authorized Endress+Hauser Representative