New Radar Transmitter Reduces Level Measurement Complexity

Commissioning, Operation and Maintenance Simplified New Radar Transmitter Reduces Level Measurement Complexity

2023-05-26 Source: Press release Emerson 3 min Reading Time

DÜPERTHAL Sicherheitstechnik GmbH & Co. KG

Erdem Boecekli, from Emerson, explains how the design of its new non-contacting Rosemount 3408 Level Transmitter simplifies commissioning, operation and maintenance, helping to improve plant performance and increase safety.

Wireless communication via Bluetooth technology and dedicated apps enables operators to quickly and easily access guides and graphical illustrations for the Rosemount 3408 Level Transmitter via hand-held devices in the field, saving time and increasing efficiency.(Source: Emerson Process Management GmbH & Co.OHG) — Wireless communication via Bluetooth technology and dedicated apps enables operators to quickly and easily access guides and graphical illustrations for the Rosemount 3408 Level Transmitter via hand-held devices in the field, saving time and increasing efficiency.
(Source: Emerson Process Management GmbH & Co.OHG)

When radar level measurement technology was first launched 50 years ago, it enabled process and manufacturing organisations to replace error-prone manual practices with a much more accurate and reliable automated technology. At that time, radar was typically perceived as a complex technology and it was generally accepted that training would be needed to enable workers to implement and use devices successfully. As radar technology has developed, the focus has been on improving its measurement accuracy and reliability, and enabling devices to be used in a broader range of applications. However, industry demands have changed in recent years, with a new generation of engineers now expecting modern instrumentation to be highly intuitive and easy to install, configure, operate and maintain. The onus is, therefore, now on automation technology suppliers to provide solutions that simplify operator tasks as much as possible.

With this in mind, Emerson, the original inventor of radar level measurement technology, has designed its non-contacting Rosemount 3408 Level Transmitter to reduce complexity at every touchpoint in level measurement applications, from installation and configuration through to operation and maintenance. The device is based on 80 gigahertz Fast Sweep frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) technology, which enables extremely accurate and reliable measurement, even in challenging process environments. The latest innovation within radar technology, Fast Sweep technology enables the transmitter to send more microwave sweeps per second to the media surface compared with conventional technology. Due to higher integration of electronics, communication speed is increased, giving the clearest view of what is happening inside the vessel.

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Emerson’s Rosemount 3408 Level Transmitter has been designed to optimise ease-of-use at every touchpoint, leading to increased safety and plant performance.(Source: Emerson Process Management GmbH & Co.OHG)

Erdem Boecekli, Product Manager Level DACH at Emerson, explains how the new Rosemount 3408 non-contact level transmitter simplifies commissioning, operation and maintenance, helping to improve plant performance and safety.(Source: Emerson Process Management GmbH & Co.OHG)

The device is suitable for use in a wide range of industries and applications, including storage tanks and mixers in the chemical industry. It can also be used in safety-critical applications such as overfill prevention, as it is NAMUR type tested and Safety Integrity Level (SIL) 2-certified and designed according to the International Electrotechnical Commission’s IEC 61508 standard relating to functional safety. Designed with a very low number of dangerous undetected failures (DUs), it is also a good option for installation in critical measurement and functional safety applications, such as overfill prevention. This versatility enables organisations to standardise on a single device rather than using different instrumentation for different applications, which significantly reduces maintenance complexity and training requirements.

The configuration procedure for radar level measurement devices has traditionally been time-consuming, tedious and prone to human error. With the Rosemount 3408, however, clear pictorial instructions are provided on highly intuitive software interfaces, enabling operators to be easily guided through the configuration process, helping to prevent errors and ensure reliable measurements. Wireless communication via Bluetooth enabled technology and dedicated apps enables operators to quickly and easily access the device remotely, so configuration and servicing tasks may be carried out without the need for a physical connection.

One of the main concerns voiced by companies in recent years has been the need for a better means of verifying that radar level transmitters were working correctly. Emerson’s proprietary Smart Meter Verification software easily verifies the health of the Rosemount 3408, without interrupting the process. Official records of device verification are generated, simplifying compliance with regulatory requirements. In addition, an advanced diagnostics suite continuously monitors key device health and process parameters. This provides actionable information and predictive alerts that support preventative maintenance strategies, streamline troubleshooting and help increase process availability. A built-in historian enables users to access stored process data and alerts to gain process insights and aid troubleshooting.

In safety applications, such as overfill prevention, it is essential to ensure that level measurement devices within a safety instrumented system will work correctly when required. This verification is achieved by performing proof-tests at regular intervals. Proof-testing has traditionally been conducted on location, but the Rosemount 3408 can be proof-tested remotely and in-situ, which makes the procedure quick and easy, saving time and increasing plant and worker safety.

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All level measurement devices will inevitably need to be upgraded or replaced eventually, and the Rosemount 3408 makes this as straightforward as possible. The ‘brain’ of the transmitter is contained within a pre-calibrated cassette that can quickly and easily be removed from its housing and replaced by a new cassette. This exchangeable design is an easy maintenance solution that saves time, streamlines the supply chain and is much more cost-effective than replacing a whole device.

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