Test Report: T 2737 X 03 - Welcome to Magnetrol … Report: T 2737 X 03 Published by WIB, November 2003 Index Classification: 6.3 EVALUATION OF RADAR LEVEL TRANSMITTERS IN SIDE GAUGES

Test Report: T 2737 X 03Published by WIB, November 2003

Index Classification: 6.3

EVALUATION OF RADAR LEVEL TRANSMITTERSIN SIDE GAUGES

GUIDED WAVE RADAR LEVEL TRANSMITTERTYPE: ECLIPSE 705 (2-WIRE 4-20 mA)

Manufacturer: MAGNETROL, United States of America

INTERNATIONAL INSTRUMENT USERS' ASSOCIATIONEI-WIB-EXERA (EWE)

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CIRCULATION

This report has been produced for the in-house use of EI, WIB and EXERA (EWE) members. The contents of the report must not be divulged by them to persons not employed by EWE member companies without the express consent of the issuing organisation.

The manufacturer of the equipment has the right to use and reproduce this report for commercial or promotional purposes, under the proviso that for such purpose it shall only be used unabridged and in its

entirety. The copyright of this report will at all times remain with the sponsoring organisation.

ABOUT EWE (EI, WIB and EXERA) EI, -WB and EXERA (EWE) are international instrument users' associations who collaborate in the sponsoring, planning and organisation of instrument evaluation programs. They have the long term objective of encouraging improvements in the design, construction, performance and reliability of instrumentation and related equipment. The evaluation of the selected instruments is undertaken by approved. independent and impartial laboratories with respect tothe manufacturers' performance specifications and to relevant International and National standards. Each evaluation report describes the assessment of the instrument concerned and the results of the testing. No approval or certification is intended or given. It is left to the reader to determine whether the instrument is suitable for its intended application- All reports are circulated throughout the entire membership of the EWE Associations.

EI-Evaluation International, Instrument Users' Association

South Hill, Chislehurst , Kent. United Kingdom BR7 5EH

International Instrument Users' Association -WIB

Prinsessegracht 26, . 2514 AP, The Hague. The Netherlands

EXERA Association des Exploitants d'Equipments du Mesure, du Regulation et d'Automatisme.

9 Rue de Rocroy 75010 Paris,

France

EI-WIB-EXERA MEMBERSHIP LIST

2003

Acetex Chimie ² Agences de Bassin Air Liquide Akzo Nobel Engineering Aventis Pasteur BNFL BP-Amoco Corporation BP-Amoco Explor. Corp. British Energy plc CEA CETIM Cheveron Texaco Inc. Chiyoda Corporation Cogema Dassault Aviation ² DOW Benelux DSM TechnoPartners BV Dupont de Nemours BV-NL EADS-LV Electricite de France (EDF) Ente Nazionale per l’Energia Elettrica Enviroment Agency ExxonMobil USA Federelettrica Fluor Daniel Consultants BV ¹ Gaz de France GEMCEA ² Générale des Eaux Health and Safety Executive Heineken Technical Services INERIS

Infraserve/ Hoechst Institut National de Recherche et de Sécurité Italcementi / CTG Jacobs Engineering BV ¹ KEMA Nederland BV ¹ Laborelec ¹ Lubrizol France ² Lyonnaise des Eaux Nancié ² Nederlands Meetinstituut ¹ NV Nederlandse Gasunie Nestec Ltd Petro SA PSA Peugeot-Citroen RATP Renault SA Rhoditech Rijks Instituut voor Kust en Zee (RIKZ) Saudi Arabian Oil Company Severn-Trent Water Ltd Shell Global Solutions Int. BV Solvay BV Benelux Stiftelsen for Instrum. Provning Tec Ingénierie TotalFinaElf Trapil UKAEA Vertis BV ¹

¹ Associate Member ² Small Medium Enterprises

Page i of iii T 2737 X 03

Contents

1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................. 21.1 Scope and test objectives.................................................................................................................... 21.2 The instruments ................................................................................................................................. 31.3 Working principle.............................................................................................................................. 31.4 Test conditions .................................................................................................................................. 32 MAJOR FINDINGS AND COMMENTS........................................................................................... 42.1 Instrument performance ..................................................................................................................... 42.1.1 Accuracy and repeatability measurements .......................................................................................... 42.1.2 Manufacturers accuracy specification ................................................................................................. 42.2 Sensitivity.......................................................................................................................................... 52.3 Overranging....................................................................................................................................... 52.4 Condensation and water spray ............................................................................................................ 52.5 Foam measurements........................................................................................................................... 52.6 Injection of air in test fluid ................................................................................................................. 52.7 Dynamic behavior.............................................................................................................................. 52.8 Mounting position.............................................................................................................................. 52.9 Comments ......................................................................................................................................... 53 TEST RESULTS AND OBSERVATIONS......................................................................................... 63.1 General.............................................................................................................................................. 63.2 Start-up behavior ............................................................................................................................... 63.3 Accuracy results ................................................................................................................................ 73.3.1 Ambient temperature water 10 °C +/- 5 °C........................................................................................ 73.3.2 Warm water 70 °C +/- 5 °C. ............................................................................................................... 83.3.3 Pentane.............................................................................................................................................. 93.3.4 Transformer oil. ............................................................................................................................... 103.4 Dynamic measurements. .................................................................................................................. 113.4.1 Ambient temperature water 10 °C +/- 5 °C...................................................................................... 113.4.2 Warm water 70 °C +/- 5 °C. ............................................................................................................. 123.4.3 Transformer oil. ............................................................................................................................... 123.5 Air bubbles. ..................................................................................................................................... 133.6 Sensitivity........................................................................................................................................ 143.7 Cold water spray. ............................................................................................................................. 143.8 Environmental and long term stability test. ....................................................................................... 153.9 Foam. .............................................................................................................................................. 153.9.1 Water based foams........................................................................................................................... 163.9.2 Latex foams. .................................................................................................................................... 173.10 Mounting position............................................................................................................................ 183.11 Power supply and output load........................................................................................................... 183.12 Mechanical. ..................................................................................................................................... 193.13 Software and configuration. ............................................................................................................. 194 TEST DESCRIPTION. .................................................................................................................... 214.14 Start-up behavior. ............................................................................................................................ 214.15 Accuracy. ........................................................................................................................................ 214.16 Dynamic behavior............................................................................................................................ 214.17 Injection of air bubbles..................................................................................................................... 214.18 Sensitivity........................................................................................................................................ 214.19 Water spray. .................................................................................................................................... 224.20 Environmental test. .......................................................................................................................... 224.21 Long term stability........................................................................................................................... 224.22 Foam tests. ...................................................................................................................................... 224.23 Mounting position............................................................................................................................ 234.24 Supply and output load..................................................................................................................... 234.24.1 Operation of the test installation and calculation of the reference level. ............................................. 245 Simplified P&ID of the test installation ............................................................................................ 26

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Appendices:

I Detailed charts.

Accuracy - Cold water -- 2 inch -- Hart reading as found Appendix I - 1Accuracy - Cold water -- 3 inch -- Hart reading as found Appendix I - 2Accuracy - Cold water -- 4 inch -- Hart reading as found Appendix I - 3Accuracy - Cold water -- 2 inch -- Hart reading after correction Appendix I - 4Accuracy - Cold water -- 3 inch -- Hart reading after correction Appendix I - 5Accuracy - Cold water -- 4 inch -- Hart reading after correction Appendix I - 6Accuracy - Hot water -- 2 inch -- Hart reading as found Appendix I - 7Accuracy - Hot water -- 3 inch -- Hart reading as found Appendix I - 8Accuracy - Hot water -- 4 inch -- Hart reading as found Appendix I - 9Accuracy - Hot water -- 2 inch -- Hart reading after correction Appendix I - 10Accuracy - Hot water -- 3 inch -- Hart reading after correction Appendix I - 11Accuracy - Hot water -- 4 inch -- Hart reading after correction Appendix I - 12Accuracy - Pentane -- 2 inch -- Hart reading as found Appendix I - 13Accuracy - Pentane -- 3 inch -- Hart reading as found Appendix I - 14Accuracy - Pentane -- 4 inch -- Hart reading as found Appendix I - 15Accuracy - Pentane -- 2 inch -- Hart reading after correction Appendix I - 16Accuracy - Pentane -- 3 inch -- Hart reading after correction Appendix I - 17Accuracy - Pentane -- 4 inch -- Hart reading after correction Appendix I - 18Accuracy - Transformer oil -- 2 inch -- Hart reading as found Appendix I - 19Accuracy - Transformer oil -- 3 inch -- Hart reading as found Appendix I - 20Accuracy - Transformer oil -- 4 inch -- Hart reading as found Appendix I - 21Accuracy - Transformer oil -- 2 inch -- Hart reading after correction Appendix I - 22Accuracy - Transformer oil -- 3 inch -- Hart reading after correction Appendix I - 23Accuracy - Transformer oil -- 4 inch -- Hart reading after correction Appendix I - 24Dynamic slow speed - Cold water -- 2 inch Appendix I - 25Dynamic slow speed - Cold water -- 3 inch Appendix I - 26Dynamic slow speed - Cold water -- 4 inch Appendix I - 27Dynamic medium speed - Cold water -- 2 inch Appendix I - 28Dynamic medium speed - Cold water -- 3 inch Appendix I - 29Dynamic medium speed - Cold water -- 4 inch Appendix I - 30Dynamic fast speed - Cold water -- 2 inch Appendix I - 31Dynamic fast speed - Cold water -- 3 inch Appendix I - 32Dynamic fast speed - Cold water -- 4 inch Appendix I - 33Dynamic max speed - Cold water -- 2 inch Appendix I - 34Dynamic max speed - Cold water -- 3 inch Appendix I - 35Dynamic max speed - Cold water -- 4 inch Appendix I - 36Dynamic slow speed - Hot water -- 2 inch Appendix I - 37Dynamic slow speed - Hot water -- 3 inch Appendix I - 38Dynamic slow speed - Hot water -- 4 inch Appendix I - 39Dynamic medium speed - Hot water -- 2 inch Appendix I - 40Dynamic medium speed - Hot water -- 3 inch Appendix I - 41Dynamic medium speed - Hot water -- 4 inch Appendix I - 42Dynamic slow speed - Transformer oil -- 2 inch Appendix I - 43Dynamic slow speed - Transformer oil -- 3 inch Appendix I - 44Dynamic slow speed - Transformer oil -- 4 inch Appendix I - 45Dynamic medium speed - Transformer oil -- 2 inch Appendix I - 46Dynamic medium speed - Transformer oil -- 3 inch Appendix I - 47Dynamic medium speed - Transformer oil -- 4 inch Appendix I - 48Air bubbles - Cold water Appendix I - 49Air bubbles - Transformer oil Appendix I - 50Sensitivity - Cold water Appendix I - 51Sensitivity - Transformer oil Appendix I - 52Spray - Cold water Appendix I - 53Power-up Appendix I - 54Warm-up Appendix I - 55Environment Appendix I - 56Long term Appendix I - 57

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Foam Light Water Appendix I - 58Foam PyroCool Appendix I - 59Foam detergent Appendix I - 60Foam Latex V640 Appendix I - 61Foam Latex V690 Appendix I - 62Foam Latex V855 Appendix I - 63

II Manufacturer’s documentation

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Picture of the instrument.

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Evaluated by:Dow Benelux N.V. and J4 Consultancyon behalf of:International Instrument User’s Association WIBand the manufacturer.

Author : J. J. Vierhout

SIREP-WIB-EXERA report N° T 2737 X 03Index classification : 6.3 WIB Project : XC

The full report comprises 26 pages plus 2 appendices; the abridged report comprises the first 5pages of the full report.

November 2003

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Scope and test objectivesDuring 2001/2002 a series of tests were done to evaluate the use (low-cost) 2-wire 4-20 mA radarlevel measurement as a ‘drop-in’ replacement for side gauge mounted instruments like displacersand float systems. The results of these can be found in WIB reports T2722 to 2726.

Contrary to radar the measurement performance of displacers and float systems depends heavilyon the density of both the liquid to be measured and the gas above this liquid. Therefor theseinstruments have to be carefully engineered for each specific application. Any change in either ofthe densities will cause an unknown measurement error unless a form of density correction can beapplied. This will generally mean the installation of additional measurements. Also these instru-ments have mechanical and -more or less- moving parts that are susceptible to wear and tear.

Radar level measurement on the other hand is not density dependent, is virtually insensitive topressure and temperature and has no moving parts. In its most common construction form theinstrument does not come in contact with the liquid.Radar is preferably used in wide body vessels with minimal obstructions or in specially constructedstill-wells. In both cases maximum reflection of the signal can be achieved with minimal interfer-ence or ‘false’ reflections. Although side gauges show some similarity with still-wells there areimportant differences that have to be carefully considered, especially where existing gauges areused.Side gauges for displacers or floats are generally constructed of untreated steel pipe and con-nected to the vessel by means of welded 2” or larger branches. Displacers and floats need nospecial treatment of the inner wall of the gauge or the welds. But with radar these imperfectionscould produce undesirably measurement influences. Rough pipe walls will create noise anddampen the signal. Branches and rough welds will give strong reflections in the measurementregion that must be recognized and filtered by the instrument.

WIB International Instrument Users’ association and DOW Benelux have drawn up a test programand installation that takes these conditions into account. It was not the intention to completelyevaluate the performance of the radar instruments, which is best done in an ‘ideal’ test installation.The aim was to gather knowledge of what to expect when radar is applied in an environment asdescribed above.

The present series of tests have an extended scope in that now 4-wire radar instruments aretested. Also the new generation of 2-wire 4-20 mA Time Domain Reflectometry instruments (AKAGuided Wave Radar) is admitted to the test. These instruments use signals that are comparable toradar making them equally independent of the density of the measured product and the gasphase.

Page 3 of 26 T 2737 X 03

1.2 The instrumentsThis report describes the behavior of 2-wire Guided Wave Radar level transmitters when appliedin a side gauge. The tests were done with 2 different transmitters manufactured by Magnetrol inBelgium and the United States of America. The instruments were standard production models.

Originally Magnetrol supplied 3 similar instruments all equipped with coaxial probes, only theflange sizes were different. The test team did not expect different behavior and asked to replacethe 4 inch instrument with a twin-rod probe. At first Magnetrol was reluctant to do so becausesome of the fluids used during the test have dielectric properties that go beyond the specificationsof the twin-rod probe and might therefore produce less favorable test results. Eventually it wasagreed to add a 4 inch twin-rod probe to the test.

The following instruments were supplied for the test:Eclipse 705 / 7MR series 2 inch flange with coaxial probe length 227 cmEclipse 705 / 7MR series 3 inch flange with coaxial probe length 227 cmEclipse 705 / 7MB series 4 inch flange with twin-rod probe length 227 cmAs requested the instruments were delivered in an EEx ia explosion proof class.

The instruments described in this report were part of a total of 9 transmitters of 3 different typesfrom 3 manufacturers that were tested simultaneously.

1.3 Working principleThe instrument’s probe consists of a conductor that extends from the instrument into the liquid tobe measured. The instrument measures the distance to a liquid level by sending a pulse signalthrough this conductor and measuring the time it takes to receive a reflection. Electronics convertsthis time into a level indication.In order to work properly a second conductor is needed to create a field around the probe.− With the coaxial probe placing the probe inside tubing does this. To keep the probe centered

spacers are mounted at regular intervals.− As the name suggests the twin-rod probe is equipped with a parallel in-active rod. The two

rods are kept at a fixed distance by means of Teflon spacers

1.4 Test conditionsThe instruments were subjected to a series of tests using 3 different liquids and 6 different foams:− Water at ambient temperature and at temperatures of 70 +/- 5 °C.− Transformer oil at ambient temperature with a di-electric constant (εr ) of 2.2− Pentane at ambient temperature, εr = 1.8− Foam measurements were done under atmospheric conditions with 2 types of water based fire

extinguisher foams, 1 detergent foam and 3 types of Latex based foams

After the instruments were installed in the testrig the manufacturer was invited to make adjust-ments as needed for the tests. Magnetrol preferred that all adjustments / set up configurationswere done by the test team to prove the simplicity of use. No support was needed to effectuate thenecessary changes for the tests.The instruments were set to a range of 230 cm, all measurements were done over a span of 180cm.

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2 MAJOR FINDINGS AND COMMENTS.These findings are summarized for ready reference, for detailed assessment of the performance ofthe instrument the report and its appendices must be consulted in its entirety.Note: Unless otherwise stated all errors are quoted in mm level deviation from the referencemeasurement made with the DP level measurement set-up. (test instrument level indication –reference level indication)

2.1 Instrument performance

2.1.1 Accuracy and repeatability measurementsLargest deviation in mm

Test

2 inchCoaxialprobe

3 inchCoaxialprobe

4 inch Twin rod Probe (note 3)

Manufacturer’sspecificationsee 2.1.2Coaxial - (Twin-rod)

Accuracy as received (maximum error) includes linearity

on ambient temperature water εr. 80 mm 3.5 -6.6 12.3 +/- 12.3 - (19.8)

on water at 70 +/- 5 °C εr 70-80 mm -8.3 -6.0 11.8 +/- 37.3 – (44.8)

on ambient temperature transformer oil εr 2.2 mm -11.8 -14.0 -26.2 +/- 12.3 - (19.8)

on ambient temperature Pentane εr 1.8 mm -29.4 -28.0 -45.9 +/- 12.3 - (19.8)

Accuracy after adjustment (maximum error) includes linearity (note 2)

on ambient temperature water εr 80 mm 3.3 -4.9 -11.7 +/- 12.3 - (19.8)

on water at 70 +/- 5 °C εr 70-80 mm 5.9 5.3 -14.3 +/- 37.3 – (44.8)

on ambient temperature transformer oil εr 2.2 mm 4.6 3.7 -19.7 +/- 12.3 - (19.8)

on ambient temperature Pentane εr 1.8 mm 5.3 -4.4 -27.6 +/- 12.3 - (19.8)

Hystereris (average error)

on ambient temperature water εr 80 +/- mm 0.9 0.9 1.3 2.5

on water at 70 +/- 5 °C εr 70-80 +/- mm 2.5 1.6 1.2 2.5

on ambient temperature transformer oil εr 2.2 +/- mm 1.2 1.1 0.9 2.5

on ambient temperature Pentane εr 1.8 +/- mm 1.0 1.2 1.8 2.5

Repeatability (average error)

on ambient temperature water εr 80 +/- mm 0.1 0.2 0.1 2.5

on water at 70 +/- 5 °C εr 70-80 +/- mm 0.8 0.7 0.4 2.5

on ambient temperature transformer oil εr 2.2 +/- mm 0.2 0.3 0.2 2.5

on ambient temperature Pentane εr 1.8 +/- mm 0.6 0.6 0.6 2.5Notes Grayed cells indicate that value is not within manufacturer’s specification.

1 For the above data the results found during the accuracy tests were used. The data found for the 0 and 95% points wereexcluded

2 The applied adjustment is a calculated zero-shift derived from the reading of the instrument and the reading of thelevel switches in the testgauge. The instrument settings were not changed.

3 As per manufacturer’s specifications, the twin rod probe is not specified for media with εr < 2.0. At request of the test teamthe twin rod probe was tested on Pentane to check out its performance.

2.1.2 Manufacturers accuracy specificationSpecifications for the coaxial probes:− Linearity: better than 0.1% of probe length = 2.27 mm− Accuracy: 2.5 mm or 0.1% of probe length = 2.50 mm− Max dielectric effect: 7.5 mm within selected range = 7.50 mm

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− Total accuracy and linearity specification for coax probes = 12.27 mm

Additional accuracy specification for twin-rod probes (top 600 mm) = 7.5 mm

Temperature influence: +0.02% of probe length / °C at 70 °C = 25.00 mm

2.2 SensitivityAll instruments respond to very slow level changes within 1 mm change.

2.3 OverrangingAll 3 units operated over the full range. No failure point could be established

2.4 Condensation and water sprayDuring the warm water test the probes were completely covered with condense. None of theinstruments showed any influence.The water spray did affect all instruments. The maximum deviation measured on the coaxialprobes was -12 mm, for the twin-rod probe the maximum effect was -17 mm.

2.5 Foam measurementsOnly the twin-rod probe was subjected to the foam tests. The behavior varied per type of foam.With dry foams the liquid level is followed quite closely, on other foams the result is unpredictable.

2.6 Injection of air in test fluidThe coaxial probes were very sensitive to air injection. The twin-rod probe indicated a goodaverage of the very turbulent real level.

2.7 Dynamic behaviorAll instruments performed well during the dynamic tests, measurement response was fast andhysteresis minimal. The analog output was noisy so filtering had to be applied. Possibly settingthe damping to a higher value can solve this. It was not tested if this would have any effect onthe measurement response, which at the present damping setting was very good

2.8 Mounting positionNone of the simulated wrong installation possibilities showed any effect on the measurement atany of the units.

2.9 Comments− If the liquid to be measured allows for an intrusive measurement technology, the Eclipse is

a serious option. The instrument is accurate, fast and easy to configure.− From a certain length installation is more difficult than non-intrusive instruments due to the

rigid probes and sufficient headroom is required.− Power up and down behavior is very good and tends to always go to the safe side.− On water based foam it follows the liquid level provided the foam layer is within limits. With

some wet foams it is possible to measure the top of the foam using the “threshold” function(selection in the menu). Since the consistency of foam is not predictable, the manufacturerdoes not qualify the unit for use on foam, except the twin rod probe. The unit should onlybe applied on water based foams.

− It seems that the instruments are sensitive to a change in dielectric constant of the liquideven when the proper range is selected. The ‘as found’ charts show a downward shift withdecreasing dielectric constant.

− With all testfluids the 4” twin-rod probe showed a repeatable deviation around the 90%level point. This is due to the construction of the probe. The manufacturer informed thetest team that later models will no longer show this behavior.

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3 TEST RESULTS AND OBSERVATIONS

3.1 GeneralNote: Unless otherwise stated all errors are quoted in mm level deviation from the referencemeasurement made with the DP level measurement set-up. (test instrument level indication –reference level indication

Test conditions were:Power supply voltage : 24 VDCAmbient temperature : 10 °C +/- 5

The instruments were configured as follows:Measurement range : 0 to 230.0 cmAnalogue output : 0 to 230.0 cm level

: 20 mA = 0.0 cm level: 4 mA = 230.0 cm level

Local indication : 0 to 230.0 cm levelMeasurement conditions : Liquid

: Proper εr range selected: Proper probe type selected

Other than selection of the proper dielectric constant range the instruments need no adjustment orcalibration when the measured liquid is changed.

3.2 Start-up behavior− After installation and wiring the instruments were connected to a 24V DC power supply.

After the instruments went through their self-test and start-up sequence they were ob-served during a one-hour period.

Magnetrol Eclipse -- Power-up

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55Time in seconds

Indica

tion

durin

g po

wer

up

in m

m

Appendix I page 54

− The chart above shows the instruments behavior during the first 60 seconds after switchingthe on the 24VDC. Total power-up and self test took less than 25 seconds.

− The next chart shows the instrument reading taken during the following 1 hour warm-upperiod.

− Instruments showed deviations of +/- 1 mm over the period. No permanent drift was re-corded.

− No corrections were applied.

2” Coaxial probe 3” Coaxial probe 4” Twin rod probe Reference measurement

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Magnetrol Eclipse -- Warm-up

1080

1085

1090

1095

1100

1105

1110

60 300 540 780 1020 1260 1500 1740 1980 2220 2460 2700 2940 3180 3420 3660Time in seconds

Leve

l ind

icat

ion

durin

g war

m u

p in m

m

Appendix I page 55

3.3 Accuracy results− During the accuracy tests not only the analogue output was recorded but also the HART

output was read for verification. There was no noticeable difference between the two signals.− After a new level is reached the liquid and the instruments get 1 minute to stabilize (Pentane 2

minutes) before readings are taken.− The test installation is a replica of a side gauge as commonly used in process installations

including some of the common imperfections.− The requirements for 4-inch twin-rod instrument are such that the 90% points would fall inside

the 600 mm area where somewhat lower accuracy may be expected.− The report uses HART data for accuracy, repeatability and hysteresis.− In this part of the report the charts only show the average curves after correction. For the other

and more detailed charts see Appendix I

3.3.1 Ambient temperature water 10 °C +/- 5 °C− For the coaxial probes al measured points fall within +/- 5 mm without any correction.− Repeatability for each point is better than +/- 2mm.− The instruments show virtually no hysteresis

Magnetrol Eclipse -- Accuracy - Cold water -- 2 inch -- Hart reading after correction

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Appendix I page 4


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Appendix I page 5

2” Coaxial probe3” Coaxial rod probe4” Twin-rod probe

Rising average Falling average

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Appendix I page 6

− The twin-rod probe showed an offset of +7 mm and a very repeatable deviation of -10 mmat the 90% point.

3.3.2 Warm water 70 °C +/- 5 °C.− The ‘as found’ charts show -for all 3 instruments- a shift of up to -5 mm compared to the

cold water curves.− Also the coax probes show a small hysteresis at the high end of the range, the twin-rod

probe does not.Magnetrol Eclipse -- Accuracy - Hot water -- 2 inch -- Hart reading after correction

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Appendix I page 10

Magnetrol Eclipse -- Accuracy - Hot water -- 3 inch -- Hart reading after correction

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Appendix I page 11

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Magnetrol Eclipse -- Accuracy - Hot water -- 4 inch -- Hart reading after correction

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Appendix I page 12

3.3.3 Pentane.− Before starting the Pentane test the instruments were set for measurement of low dielec-

tric liquids (range <2). Nevertheless all showed a shift of approximately -20 mm comparedto the cold water curve.

− After correction of this shift all points of the 2 and 3” coax probes were within +/- 5mm.Repeatability and hysteresis were comparable with the cold water curves.

− Although the manufacturer did not recommend the twin-rod probe for use with low dielec-tric media as Pentane (dk=1.8) the curves show that up to the 90% point there is not muchdifference compared to the water curves. Only at the 95% a shift of +20 mm was meas-ured.

Magnetrol Eclipse -- Accuracy - Pentane -- 2 inch -- Hart reading after correction

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Appendix I page 16


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Appendix I page 18

3.3.4 Transformer oil.− Before the test the instruments were set to the medium dielectric range (2-10)− Again a small negative shift was found, larger than with warm water but smaller than with

Pentane.− The accuracy and repeatability are same as with cold water.

Magnetrol Eclipse -- Accuracy - Transformer oil -- 2 inch -- Hart reading after correction

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Appendix I page 24

3.4 Dynamic measurements.− During the dynamic tests the level is continuously changed and analogue measurements

are recorded every second. Since it is not possible to take HART readings at such a fre-quency all dynamic data is derived from analogue measurements.

− All instruments showed a noisy behavior with all test liquids, so a significant amount offiltering had to be applied to arrive at ‘readable’ charts. The measured noise frequently ex-ceeded +/- 3 mm. It was not tested if changing the damping setting would affect this. Evenafter filtering some excursions of up to 10 mm -and lasting up to several minutes- show onall charts for all products.

− All 3 instruments follow the level change very fast. The average backlog is approximately 1mm per 5 cm/min change of level speed.

− In this part of the report only the 2 inch instrument is shown, all other charts can be foundin appendix I.

− There are no charts for Pentane dynamic tests. During these tests the top reference pres-sure transmitter failed, rendering all measurements useless.

3.4.1 Ambient temperature water 10 °C +/- 5 °CMagnetrol Eclipse -- Dynamic slow speed - Cold water -- 2 inch

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Average rate of level change: Up = 10.6 Down = 11.6 cm/minute

Appendix I page 25

Magnetrol Eclipse -- Dynamic fast speed - Cold water -- 2 inch

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Appendix I page 31

Rising Falling

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Magnetrol Eclipse -- Dynamic max speed - Cold water -- 2 inch

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Average rate of level change: Up = 90 Down = 58.4 cm/minute

Appendix I page 34

3.4.2 Warm water 70 °C +/- 5 °C.− The measurements are corrected for the shift found during the accuracy tests, after that

there is hardly any difference with the results from the cold water dynamic tests.Magnetrol Eclipse -- Dynamic slow speed - Hot water -- 2 inch

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Appendix I page 37

3.4.3 Transformer oil.− The measurements are corrected for the shift found during the accuracy tests, after that

there hardly any difference with the results from the cold water dynamic tests.Magnetrol Eclipse -- Dynamic slow speed - Transformer oil -- 2 inch

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m


Appendix I page 43

Page 13 of 26 T 2737 X 03

Magnetrol Eclipse -- Dynamic medium speed - Transformer oil -- 2 inch

-35

-25

-15

-5

5

15

25

35


deviat

ion

in m

m

Average rate of level change: Up = 9.6 Down = 8 cm/minute

Appendix I page 46

3.5 Air bubbles.− In these tests very small air bubbles are injected -in cold water and transformer oil- at 3

different rates while the liquid level is at 50 %.− Because of the injected air the density of the liquid changes, so the reference measure-

ment can not be used to measure the rise in level. Therefore the instruments are observedfor the change in level they indicate.

− The 3” coax probe and the twin-rod probe behave as they should with both liquids.− The 2’ coax probe showed an unexpected result. With both liquids it indicated much more

rise in level than actually existed. A rise of approximately 1.5 times that of the 3” coaxialprobe would have been normal.

− The most logical explanation is that some of the injected air has directly entered one of theequalizing holes in the probe. That would cause bubbles to rise inside the coax shieldwhere they ‘live’ longer and can reach greater heights.

− The fact that the equalizer holes in both coaxial probes were at different locations can ex-plain why this phenomenon only happened with the 2” probe.

− After the air injection was stopped all 3 instruments quickly returned to their original setting,there was no remaining error.

Magnetrol Eclipse -- Air bubbles - Cold water

-50

-25

0

25

50

75

100

125

150

175

200

225

0 120 240 60 180 0 120 240 60 180 300 420 540 660 780Time in seconds

Dev

iatio

n in m

m

-1

0

1

Air setting 1 Air setting 2 Air setting 3 Air stopped

Appendix I page 49

Magnetrol Eclipse -- Air bubbles - Transformer oil

-25

0

25

50

75

100

125

150

175

200

0 120 240 60 180 0 120 240 60 180 300 420 540 660 780Time in seconds

Dev

iatio

n in m

m

Air setting 1 Air setting 2 Air setting 3 Air stopped

Appendix I page 50

2” Coaxial probe 3” Coaxial probe 4” Twin-rod probe

Page 14 of 26 T 2737 X 03

− The difference between the 3 and 4 inch instrument readings can be explained from thebehavior of the air bubbles in the different gauges. In the 2 and 3 inch gauges the bubblesget no chance to regroup before they reach the surface. The liquid contains much more airand therefore rises higher than in the 4 inch gauge, where the bubbles do regroup to formlarger bubbles. They tend to rise faster to the surface creating a lower but far more violentlevel.

3.6 Sensitivity.− During this test the level in all 3 gauges is raised/lowered very slowly while all measure-

ments are continuously recorded. This is done at the 10, 50 and 90% level point.− The ideal result would be that all 4 lines are on top off each other, and for most of the

points this is true. Only the 90% rising point on water the coax probes show some backlog.Magnetrol Eclipse -- Sensitivity - Cold water

-15

-10

-5

0

5

10

15

20

0 60 120 180 240 0 60 120 180 240 0 60 120 180 240

Time in seconds

Leve

l cha

nge

in m

m

-1

0

1

10% level 50% level 90% level

Appendix I page 51

Magnetrol Eclipse -- Sensitivity - Transformer oil

-40

-30

-20

-10

0

10

20

30

40

0 60 120 180 240 0 60 120 180 240 0 60 120 180 240

Time in seconds

Leve

l cha

nge

in m

m

-1

0

1

10% level 50% level 90% level

Appendix I page 52

3.7 Cold water spray.Magnetrol Eclipse -- Spray - Cold water

-20

-18

-16

-14

-12

-10

-8

-6

-4

-2

0

2

0 10 20 30 10 20 30 40 50 0 10 20 30 10 20 30 40 50Time in seconds

Dev

iatio

n fro

m re

fere

nce

in m

m

-1

0

1

30 seconds

30 seconds60 seconds settling 60 seconds settling

Appendix I page 53

− During this test a spray of water is injected at the 100% level point.

2” Coaxial probe 3” Coaxial probe 4” Twin-rod probe Reference measurement

Page 15 of 26 T 2737 X 03

− The test was originally set-up to find if free space radar instruments would be influenced bysuch a mist. The assumption was that TDR instruments would not be influenced, but thetest shows otherwise.

− The ideal outcome of the tests would have been straight lines with zero deviation from thereference. But as the chart shows this is not the case. The chart shows the result of meas-urements taken from each instrument at different times.

3.8 Environmental and long term stability test.− During these tests the same -electrical- noisy behavior as during the dynamic tests was

found, the fact that this hardly shows in the charts is due to the data compression. Theoriginal data for the environmental test had 11520 data sets and the long term stability testsome 145000, both of which are compressed and combined to 1800 points for the chart.

− For both tests only the 2” Coaxial probe was used together with 3 instruments from othermanufacturers.

− To create an artificial level the probe was short-circuited at one of the equalizer holes atapproximately 30 cm from the end of the probe.

Magnetrol Eclipse -- Environment

-80

-60

-40

-20

0

20

40

60

80

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45Time in test (hours)

Dev

iatio

n in m

m (l

evel con

stan

t)

-60

-50

-40

-30

-20

-10

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Tem

pera

ture

(deg

ree

C)

Appendix I page 56

− The instrument shows a temperature influence in the sub-zero region. The measurementdeviation between 0 and +80°C is within the manufacturer’s specification.

− There was no remaining error.Magnetrol Eclipse -- Long term

-35

-25

-15

-5

5

15

25

35

0 30 60 90 120 150 180 210 240 270 300 330 360 390 420 450 480 510 540 570Time in test (hours)

Cha

nge

in in

dica

tion

in m

m (l

evel con

stan

t)

Appendix I page 57

− The chart above shows the behavior of the 2” coaxial probe when left operating at ambientconditions during 600 hours.

3.9 Foam.− Only the Twin-rod was subjected to the foam tests.− Foam is generated in 32 cm high plastic containers from various liquids in which tiny air

bubbles are injected until the foam reaches the top of the container.− The average liquid level is between 50 and 90 mm. The tests were originally set up for free

space radar instruments and then this liquid level is sufficient. For TDR instruments thislevel is so close to the end of the probe that a reduced accuracy can be expected.

− Because of the fouling nature of the foams the coaxial probes were not tested.

Page 16 of 26 T 2737 X 03

− An attempt was made to use the “threshold” function (selection in the menu) to measurethe foam level rather than the liquid level. Only with the household detergent foam –arather wet and creamy foam- this worked, with all other foams this extra test failed.

3.9.1 Water based foams.The instrument was virtually unaffected by these 3 foams. Only when the foam layer was morethan 15 cm thick the indication was a bit below the liquid level. Below 15 cm foam the liquidlevel was measured quite accurate.

Magnetrol Eclipse -- Foam Light Water

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

0 300 600 900 1200 1500Time in test in seconds

Leve

l in

mm

4 inch Twin rod

Appendix I page 58

− Light water is a fire fighting foam, it produces a very light and dry foam which collapsesslowly. Bubble size varies between 1 and 3 mm.

Magnetrol Eclipse -- Foam PyroCool

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350


Leve

l in

mm

4 inch Twin rod

Appendix I page 59

− PyroCool is also a fire fighting foam. It produces light but less dry foam and collapses a bitfaster. Bubble size varies from 2 to 5 mm

Magnetrol Eclipse -- Foam detergent

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350


Leve

l in

mm

4 inch Twin rod

Appendix I page 60

− This is a rapidly decaying, wet foam. Bubble size varies between 3 and 10 mm.− This foam contains much more water than the fire fighting foams which is probably the

reason why the foam layer could be detected with the interface option.

Page 17 of 26 T 2737 X 03

3.9.2 Latex foams.− Latex does contain water (approx. 50%) but much less than the previous foams.− The instrument behaves totally different, only at very thin foam layers the indicated level in

the vicinity of the liquid level. Otherwise the indication is totally unpredictable.Magnetrol Eclipse -- Foam Latex V640

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350


Leve

l in

mm

4 inch Twin rod

Appendix I page 61

− Latex V640: This is a creamy, wet foam. Initially it generates bubbles between 2 and 4mm, they tend to form ever larger bubbles until they collapse. This foam decayed rapidlybut never disappeared completely.

− Also the liquid contains lots of very tiny bubbles (<0.5 mm) that collapse during the test.

Magnetrol Eclipse -- Foam Latex V690

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350


Leve

l in

mm

4 inch Twin rod

Appendix I page 62

− Latex V690: This is a relatively dry foam with bubbles of 2 to 4 mm, it decays slowly. Onlybubbles at the top collapse.

− It seems that the instrument tries to follow the top of the foam in spite of being set tomeasure the liquid level

Magnetrol Eclipse -- Foam Latex V855

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140


Leve

l in

mm

4 inch Twin rod

Appendix I page 63

− This is a very wet and fast decaying foam. It forms very irregular bubbles ranging from 2 to20 mm.

− The bubbles tend to collapse internally to form ever-larger bubbles up to 10 cm in diame-ter. When they collapse they drag the total foam level down.

Page 18 of 26 T 2737 X 03

− The reason the start foam level is so much lower than with the other tests is that after in-serting the probe in the foam layer the foam around it sort of disappeared. The foam layerclose to the probe was much lower than in the rest of the container.

− Halfway the test there was no foam left at.

3.10 Mounting position− None of the simulated installation misalignments showed any effect on the measurement.− There is however little room for flange misalignment. Due to the length of the probes the

slightest error in flange alignment -be it from welding or wrong bolting- will make the probetouch the wall of the gauge. With the coax probe this has no effect on the measurement,but with the twin-rod probes this can produce an error when the probe gets to close to thewall. The effect will strongly depend on the properties of the liquid to be measured.

− Tilting the instruments gave the expected –wrong- result: the instruments measure thestraight-line distance to the liquid surface and therefore indicate the same level at any an-gle. A differential pressure instrument will indicate a different level because of the changedcolumn height.

3.11 Power supply and output load− Each instrument was connected according to the schematic below.− The measurement resistor is 300 Ohm, the power supply ‘ae’ is 24 VDC− The cable resistor is increased to find the failure point of the measurement, the analogue

output or the HART communication, whichever comes first− During this test manufacturer’s specifications will normally be exceeded. The specified

power limits are from 13.5 to 36 VDC for the tested explosion proof version.− Test liquid was transformer oil.

a

e d

cb

Instrument

Measurementresistor

Cableresistance

Powersupply

The level during the test was 0%, the analogue output being approximately 18.7 mA.

LineresistorOhms

Total loopresistanceOhms

VDC atinstrument(d-c)

RemarksAnalog

RemarksHART

400 700 10.75 Output OK Communication OK, reports errors

410 710 10.55 Stopped, indication at orbelow 4 mA

Communication workingTwin-rod sporadically readings up to10% level but even then the analogoutput stays at 4mA

500 800 9.7 Stopped, indication at orbelow 4 mA

Communication working, rest ofinstrument functions stopped.Reports errors

Page 19 of 26 T 2737 X 03

400 700 10.75 Output resumed atproper values

Still reporting errors

350 650 11.8 Operating normally Operating normally

The test was repeated at 95% level, the analogue output being approximately 7 mA.LineresistorOhms

Total loopresistanceOhms

VDC atinstrument(d-c)

RemarksAnalog

RemarksHART

1700 2000 9.7 Operating normally Operating normally1800 2100 9.0 Operating normally Reports errors, communicates nor-

mally1900 2200 16.0 Stopped, indication at or

below 4 mAStill working, rest of instrumentfunctions stopped.Reports errors

1850 2150 16.0 Makes restart attemptsbut fails.

Still working, rest of instrumentfunctions stopped.Reports errors

1810 2110 8.9 Operating normally Reports errors, communicates nor-mally

1700 2000 9.7 Operating normally Operating normally

After normal operation was resumed the line resistor was kept at 1700 Ohms while the level inthe gauges was decreased. That raised the output current and caused another low powersituation at the instrument terminals. The analog output returned to 4 mA and stayed there untilthe line resistor was brought back to normal values or the power supply increased.

Note:− As said earlier these tests far exceed the manufacturer’s specification. It is however im-

portant to know the behavior of especially level instruments in that kind of circumstances.During these tests the Magnetrol Eclipse never once gave a false analog measurement. Iteither indicated the proper value or below zero level which is a clear error indication. Thetested instruments were equipped with both a local indicator and HART communication.According to the specification it is not possible to fully reach the NAMUR alarm level of 3.6mA. 3.8 mA is the lowest value that can be achieved be such a combination.

− Under all tested conditions it was possible to communicate via the HART channel.

3.12 Mechanical.− The electronics housing can be easily separated from the probe by unscrewing a fixing nut

and then pulling the electronics housing from a single pin plug. This can be done withoutinterrupting the process. The only sensitive part of the probe is the plug connection, whichhas to be well protected when the electronics housing is removed.

− Both the coaxial and the twin-rod are rigidly build, they don’t bend during installation. Thetwin-rod has isolating spacers to keep the rods at a fixed distance of each other. Thesespacers also prevent the probe from short-circuiting when it touches the wall of the gauge

− The electronics housing consists of 2 similar compartments. One compartment holds theelectronics, the other the wiring connections. The explosion proof version contains an in-trinsically safe probe protected by an internal barrier. This provides a full explosion proof,2-wire solution without the need for local grounding / power filtering via an external barrier.

3.13 Software and configuration.− There is no PC software package available to adjust the instruments, all adjustments are

done at the local display or through a standard HART handheld communicator.− This is not a real problem because it takes only a few steps to fully configure the instru-

ment. Basically it only requires range information for the analog output, selection of the failfunction and the selection of 1 of 3 dielectric range groups.

Page 20 of 26 T 2737 X 03

− The only drawback of not having a software support package could be that there is no wayto monitor the probe signal in case of trouble shooting.

Page 21 of 26 T 2737 X 03

4 TEST DESCRIPTION.

4.14 Start-up behavior.− Test medium is water at ambient temperature.− The level approximately 50% in the range of the sightglass.− The instrument will be installed in the test rig and connected to the data acquisition system.

Then the power to the instrument will be switched on and the power-up behavior of the instru-ment will be recorded. After that the warm-up behavior will be recorded during one hour.

4.15 Accuracy.− The level will be varied between 0 and 95% of the measuring range.− Measurements are taken at 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 and 95% of the measuring

range both rising and falling.− Each time a new setpoint is reached the level is left to settle for 1 minute (Pentane 2 minutes).

All analog outputs are read during 10 seconds giving approximately 150 readings per chan-nel. From these readings the average is used for calculation. Also 3 HART readings are taken,the average of which will be used for calculation.

− The test consists of 5 runs, so a total of 110 measurements will made− At each rising and falling run the level switches at the 50% point will be verified.− The deviation from the standard level will be reported in mm.

− These tests are done with ambient temperature water, warm water (70 +/- 5 °C), Pentane andtransformer oil.

4.16 Dynamic behavior.− The level in the gauges is set below 0% of the measurement span and from there increased

until greater than 95%.− Then the level is set at 98% and from there decreased to below 0%− During this time the instruments outputs are recorded.− This test is repeated at filling speeds of 50 cm/minute and the maximum filling/emptying speed

(180 cm/minute)− Readings from the instruments are compared to the corrected analogue readings from the

reference measurement and reported in mm difference.

− With water at ambient temperature this test is done at low speed (appr. 2 cm/min), mediumspeed (appr. 10 cm/min), fast speed (appr. 35 cm/min) and at the maximum achievable speed(75 to 100 cm/min)

− With the other liquids the test is only done at slow and medium speed.

4.17 Injection of air bubbles.− The level in the gauges is set to 50% of the measurement span.− Air bubbles are injected from the 2% level point of the gauge in order to simulate a boiling

liquid.− The amount of air is increased until the level in the sightglass has risen 1 cm.− At this point the output of the instruments is recorded during 3 minutes.− This test is repeated for a rise in the sightglass of 2 and 3 cm.− Then the airflow is stopped and the output of the instruments is recorded for another 30

minutes.

4.18 Sensitivity.− Measurements are taken at 10, 50 and 90% of the measurement span both rising and falling.− After the level is stabilized at these points the level in the gauges is changed very slowly

during 5 minutes.

Page 22 of 26 T 2737 X 03

− The analogue output of the instruments is recorded and charted against the reference level.

− This test will be done with water at ambient temperature and transformer oil.

4.19 Water spray.− Test medium is water at ambient temperature. εr is 80− The level in the gauges is set to 50% of the measurement span− Then a spray of water is injected in the radar beam during a period of 30 seconds.− The instrument’s output is recorded during the spray period and for an additional 60 seconds.− This test is done twice at different spray rates.

4.20 Environmental test.− Of each set of test instruments one is subjected to this test− The instrument is placed in a climate chamber, powered and connected to the data gathering

system.− If the instrument is a free-space radar it is placed in a metal tube of 1 meter length pointing at

a metal surface and constantly measuring the distance to that surface.− If the instrument is an intrusive instrument it is supposed to measure the length of its probe.− The temperature in the chamber is changed in steps of 20 °C and kept constant for 3 hours

after reaching the temperature setpoint. So the total test spans a minimum period of 39 hours.− Temperature setpoints are +20, 0, -20, -40, -20, 0, +20, +40, +60, +80, +60, +40, +20 °C.− Readings of the measured distance and the temperature are taken at 15-second intervals over

the whole test period.

4.21 Long term stability.− After all tests are done the instruments are placed in holes drilled in a wooden workbench with

the horns all facing the same metal surface.− Where needed and possible the instruments are set to measure free space.− The instruments are continuously connected to a 24 VDC power supply.− During one month the instruments are sampled each 15 seconds and these readings are

recorded.

4.22 Foam tests.− A rectangular plastic open container is partly filled with

one of 6 different liquids, 2 of them waterbased firefighting foam agents, 1 household detergent and 3 dif-ferent types of Latex.

− While the liquid is continually stirred small air bubblesare introduced into the liquid until the foam overflowsthe container.

− The airflow is stopped and the foam is skimmed so itexactly fills the container.

− When the test instruments are free-space radar typesthe test is performed as follows:− A 2, 3 and 4 inch tube -each with a length of 100

cm- are lowered into the foam and the foam level ineach of the tubes is measured. Also the liquid levelin the container is measured.

− Then the test instruments are placed on top of thetube and a 30 minutes recording is started.

− At the end of the test the test instruments are re-moved from the tubes and the remaining foam lev-els in the 3 tubes are measured.

Page 23 of 26 T 2737 X 03

− In case the test instrument is an insertion type that can be cleaned it is lowered into the foamuntil the probe touches the bottom of the container.

4.23 Mounting position.− Test medium is water at ambient temperature. εr is 80.− The instruments are installed in the side gauges, powered with 24 VDC but not bolted.− The instruments are rotated in steps of 45° while keeping them aligned with the center of the

gauge, thus simulating a possible wrong installation direction.− The instruments are placed in the normal mounting position and then moved forward, back-

ward, left and right simulating misalignment of the bolt holes during installation.− The instruments are placed in the normal mounting position and then tilted 1 and 2° in- and

perpendicular to- the plane of the gauge’s nozzles simulating misalignment through wrong abolting sequence.

− The instruments are installed according to manufacturer’s specification and bolted. Then thegauges are tilted 5 and 10° simulating misalignment of the gauge’s flanges.

− After each step the behavior of the instrument is monitored.− The level in the gauges is set at 50% of the measurement span except for the gauges tilting

test, there a level of 30% is maintained.

4.24 Supply and output load.− The loop power supply to the instrument and the line resistance are varied to find the point

where the HART communication and the instrument fail cq resume.− Special attention is given to the instrument’s response to a small increase in power after

reaching the low power failing point.

Page 24 of 26 T 2737 X 03

4.24.1 Operation of the test installation and calculation of the reference level.− The test rig is build around 3 side gauges. These are produced as would normally be done

to install instruments like displacers or float measurements to process vessels. Each of thegauges has two branches that would normally connect the gauge to a vessel. The bottomsof these branches are the 0 and 100% points in the tests.

− The top branches of the 3 gauges are connected with equalizer tubing.− The bottom flange of the

gauges is flanged to a tee-pieceof the same diameter as thegauge. These are connectedtogether with full-bore ballvalves to form an equalizer line.The large bore of this line willguarantee that the level in eachof the gauges is always thesame.

− Liquid is pumped into or drawnfrom the equalizer line to createthe desired level in the 3gauges.

− On each of the gauges has aseparate 2” branch installed atapproximately 50 % level. Thisbranch is not full bore con-nected but instead welded tothe gauge wall. At the top andthe bottom of the branch 5 mmholes were drilled in the gaugewall to maintain equal levels inthe gauge and the branch.

− During most of the tests levelswitches are installed in thesebranches, but also sightglasses can be mounted to seethe level.

− The way these branches areinstalled allows verification ofthe level in the gauges withminimal or no influence on aradar beam in the gauge.

− The reference level in thegauges is determined by meas-uring the pressures in the topand the bottom of the gauges.To make the measurement in-dependent of the static pres-sure in the gauges this is donewith 2 separate differentialpressure transducers. Thepositive pressure side is connected to the gauges. On the negative pressure side of thetransducers air is applied at the same pressure as the static pressure in the gauges. The 2transducer outputs are subtracted leaving the differential force excerted by the liquid andgas column in the gauges.

− Both the liquid and the gasphase are then corrected for density to arrive at the measuredlevel. To achieve this 5 temperature measurement points are installed in the 3 and the 4inch gauges at distances of 36 cm. A 6th temperature measurement is placed in the bottomflange of the 4 inch gauge.

Test installation as it was shown at the November 2002HET Instrument exhibition in Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Page 25 of 26 T 2737 X 03

− During several tests the level switches are approached very slowly both with rising andfalling levels and their switching point determined. The level at that point is calculated andcompared with the mechanical distance of the switches from the zero level point of thegauges.

− The repeatability of the switches has been verified to be better than 0.1mm in each direc-tion.

− During the switch approach measurements are sampled each second and the speed oflevel change is less than 1 cm/min or <0.16 mm/second. So the worst case level readingat switch time will be <0.3 mm.

− The values found are used to verify and -where needed- to correct the reference level.They also function as a warning system for other errors that may influence the measure-ment system.

− Deviation between the output of the instruments under test and the switch readings weretreated as zero-shift and as such applied in the all calculations for these instruments. Noadjustments to the instruments were made.

− The bottom of the lower 2” branch was taken as the 0% level point, the bottom of the up-per 2” branch as the 100% level point. The distance between the two is 180 cm. The spraynozzles are connected through ½” welding sockets in the middle of the upper 2” branch,just above the 100% level point. All other connections are either through the bottomequalizer or outside of the radar beam path.

Page 26 of 26 T 2737 X 03

5 Simplified P&ID of the test installation

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Guided Wave RadarLevel Transmitter

Measures «REAL LEVEL»D E S C R I P T I O NThe Eclipse 705 Transmitter is a loop-powered, 24 V DC liq-uid-level transmitter based on the revolutionary GuidedWave Radar (GWR) technology. Encompassing a numberof significant engineering accomplishments, this leadingedge level transmitter is designed to provide measurementperformance well beyond that of many traditional technolo-gies, as well as “through-air” radars.The innovative enclosure is a first in the industry, orientingdual compartments (wiring and electronics) in the sameplane, and angled to maximize ease of wiring, configuration,set-up and data display.

F E AT U R E S* “REAL LEVEL”, measurement not affected by media vari-

ables eg. dielectrics, pressure, density, pH, viscosity, ...

* Easy bench configuration - no need for level simulation.

* Two-wire, intrinsically safe loop powered level transmitter.

* 360° rotatable housing can be dismantled without depres-surizing the vessel via “Quick connect/disconnect” probecoupling.

* HART® digital communication.

* Two-line, 8-character LCD and 3-button keypad.

* Probe designs: up to +400 °C / 345 bar (+750 °F / 5000 psi).

* Saturated steam applications up to 110 bar @ +320 °C(1585 psi @ +605 °F).

* Cryogenic applications down to -150 °C (-230 °F).

* Integral or remote electronics.

A P P L I C AT I O N SMEDIA: Liquids or slurries; hydrocarbons to water-basedmedia (dielectric 1,4 - 100).VESSELS: Most process or storage vessels up to ratedprobe temperature and pressure.CONDITIONS: All level measurement and control applicationsincluding process conditions exhibiting visible vapors, foam,surface agitation, bubbling or boiling, high fill/empty rates, lowlevel and varying dielectric media or specific gravity.

T E C H N O L O G YEclipse Guided Wave Radar is based upon the technologyof TDR (Time Domain Reflectometry). TDR utilizes pulsesof electromagnetic energy, which are transmitted down aprobe. When a pulse reaches a liquid surface that has ahigher dielectric than the air/vapor in which it is travelling,the pulse is reflected. An ultra high-speed timing circuit pre-cisely measures the transit time and provides an accuratemeasure of the liquid level.

Worldwide level and flow solutions

A G E N C Y A P P R O VA L S

Agency Approvals

ATEX ATEX II 3 G EEx nA II T6, non sparkingATEX II 1 G EEx ia IIC T4, intrinsically safeATEX II 1/2 G EEx d[ia] IIC T6, explosion proof

Stoomwezen Secondary level safety device for steamdrums

TÜV WHG § 19, overfill prevention

AIB VLAREM II – 5.17.7

FM/CSA➀ Non Incendive / Intrinsically safe / Explosion proof

LRS Lloyds Register of Shipment (marine applications)

GOST/ Russian Authorisation StandardsGOSGORTECHNADZOR➀

ReflectedPulse

InitialPulse

Air εεr = 1

Liquid εεr > 1,4

TransmittedPulse

➀ Consult factory for proper partnumbers

Eclipse withCoaxial

GWR probe

Eclipse withTwin Rod

GWR probe

TM 705

Jos J. Vierhout

Appendix II - Page 1 of 4 T 2737 X 03

10

T R A N S M I T T E R S P E C I F I C AT I O N S

E L E C T R I C A L W I R I N G

Description SpecificationPower (at terminals) General Purpose / ATEX Intrinsically Safe: 11 to 28,6 V DC

ATEX Explosion Proof (with Intrinsically Safe probe) 13,5 to 36 V DC

Signal Output 4-20 mA or 4-20 mA with HART®

3,8 to 20,5 mA useable (meets NAMUR NE 43)

Span 150 to 6100 mm (6 to 240") (7MS: max 4500 mm (177"))

Resolution Analog: 0,01 mADisplay: 0,1 cm (inch)

Loop Resistance Intrinsically Safe/General Purpose: 620 Ω @ 20,5 mA - 24 V DC(see tables at page 12) Explosion Proof (with Intrinsically Safe probe): 510 Ω @ 20,5 mA - 24 V DC

Damping Adjustable 0-45 s

Diagnostic Alarm Adjustable 3,6 mA, 22 mA, HOLD (3,6 mA is not valid if unit includes both digital display and HART®)

User Interface 3-button keypad and/or HART® communicator

Display 2-line x 8-character LCD

Menu Language English/Spanish/French/German

Housing Material IP 66/Aluminium A356T6 (< 0.25% copper) or stainless steel

Approvals ATEX II 1G EEx ia II C T4, ATEX II 1/2G EEx d[ia] II C T6,➀ATEX II 3G EEx nA II T6, FM and CSASTOOMWEZEN – Secondary level safety device for steamdrumsTÜV – WHG § 19, VLAREM II 5.17-7LRS – Lloyds Register of Shipment (marine applications)GOST/GOSGORTECHNADZOR – Russian Authorisation Standards

Electrical Data Ui = 28,6 V, li = 140 mA, Pi = 1 W

Equivalent Data Ci = 2,1 nF, Li = 385 µH

Shock/Vibration Class ANSI/ISA-571.03 SA1 (Shock), ANSI/ISA-571.03 VC2 (Vibration)

Net and Gross Weight 2,70 kg net; 3,20 kg gross

Overall Dimensions H 214 mm (8.43") x W 111 mm (4.38") x D 188 mm (7.40")

FUNCTIONAL/PHYSICAL

Description SpecificationReference Conditions with a 1,8 m (72") Reflection from liquid, with dielectric in center of selectedcoaxial type GWR probe range, at +20 °C (70 °F) with CFD threshold➀

Linearity Better than 0,1 % of probe length➁

Accuracy 2,5 mm (0.1") or ± 0,1 % probe length (whichever is greater)➁

Resolution ± 2,5 mm (0.1")

Repeatability < 2,5 mm (0.1")

Hysteresis < 2,5 mm (0.1")

Response Time < 1 second

Warm-up Time < 5 seconds

Ambient Temp. -40 °C to +80 °C (-40 °F to +175 °F) – blind transmitter-20 °C to +70 °C (-5 °F to +160 °F) – with digital display-40 °C to +70 °C (-40 °F to +160 °F) – for EEx ia and EEx d[ia] with blind transmitter-20 °C to +70 °C (-5 °F to +160 °F) – for EEx ia and EEx d[ia] with digital display

Process Dielectric Effect < 7,5 mm (0.3") within selected range

Operating Temp. Effect Approx. +0,02 % of probe length/°C for probes ≥ 2,5 m (8')➂

Humidity 0-99 %, non-condensing

Electromagnetic Compatibility Meets CE requirements (EN-61000-6-4, EN 61000-6-2) and NAMUR NE 21(Twin-Rod probe must be used in metallic vessel or stillwell)

PERFORMANCE

➀ May degrade for 7MD probe or with fixed threshold.➁ Top 600 mm (24") of twin rod probe: 7,5 mm (0.3").

➂ Accuracy may degrade slightly < 2,5 m (8')

➀ ATEX, explosion proof units use EEx d bushing material BARTEC (part n° 03-3200-0001)

0 % 100 %

Power supplyGP / intrinsically safe: min 11 V DCExplosion proof: min 13,5 V DC

Standard shielded twisted cable(recommendedbut not neededwhen wired as perNAMUR NE 21 forfield strenghts upto 10 V/m).

Galvanic Barrier max 28,6 V DC @ 140 mAfor intrinsically safe units(not needed for GP andexplosion proof models)

Ex Non Ex

Jos J. Vierhout


11

P R O B E S P E C I F I C AT I O N S

Description 7MR: overfill protection coaxial probe 7MA: coaxial GWR probeMaterials Probe 316/316L (1.4401/1.4404)

Hastelloy C® (2.4819) or Monel® (2.4360)

Process seal TFE with Viton GFLT, EPDM or Kalrez 4079 (Consult factory for alternatives)

Probe diameter Inside rod: 8 mm (0.3125") – Outer tube: 22 mm (0.875")

Mounting In-tank mounting / external cage mounting In-tank mounting only(WHG approved)

Process Connection Threaded: 3/4" NPT or 1" BSP (G1)Flanged: Various ANSI, DIN or torque tube mating flanges

Probe length From 600 mm to 6100 mm (24 to 240"), selectable per 10 mm

Transition Zone➀ Top 0 mm (0") εr: 2,0 = 25 mm (1")/εr: 80 = 150 mm (6")

Bottom εr: 2,0 = 150 mm (6")/εr: 80 = 25 mm (1") εr: 2,0 = 150 mm (6")/εr: 80 = 25 mm (1")

Max. Process Temp. +200 °C @ 13 bar (+400 °F @ 200 psi) +150 °C @ 20 bar (+250 °F @ 300 psi)

Max. Process Pressure 70 bar @ +20 °C (1000 psi @ +70 °F) – see table at page 12

Max. Viscosity 500 cP

Dielectric Range 1,4 to 100

➀ Transition Zone (zone with reduced accuracy) is dielectric dependent; εr= dielectric permitivity. It is recommended to set 4-20 mA signal outsidetransition zones.

➁ Bridging is defined as continuous accumulation of material between theprobe elements.

Description 7MD: high pressure/high temperature 7MS: saturated steam GWR probeGWR probe

Materials Probe 316/316L (1.4401/1.4404)

Process seal Borosilicate/inconel X750 PEEK with Aegis PF 128

Spacers Ceramic

Probe diameter Inside rod: 8 mm (0.125") – Outer tube: 22 mm (0.875")

Mounting In-tank mounting / external cage mounting (7MD – WHG / 7MS – Stoomwezen approved)

Process Connection Threaded: 3/4" NPT or 1" BSP (G1)Flanged: Various ANSI, DIN or “proprietary” mating flanges

Probe length (selectable per 10 mm) From 600 mm to 6100 mm (24 to 240") From 600 mm to 4500 mm (24 to 177")

Transition Zone➀ Top 25 mm (1")

Bottom εr: 2,0 = 150 mm (6") / εr: 80 = 25 mm (1") εr: 10 = 150 mm (6") / εr: 80 = 25 mm (1")

Process Temp. Max +400 °C @ 135 bar (+750 °F @ 2000 psi) +320 °C @ 110 bar (+605 °F @ 1585 psi)

Min -150 °C @ 135 bar (-230 °F @ 2000 psi) -15 °C @ 205 bar (0 °F @ 3000 psi)

Max. Process Pressure 345 bar @ +20 °C (5000 psig @ +70 °F) 110 bar @ +320 °C (1585 psi @ +605 °F)

Max. Viscosity 500 cP

Dielectric Range 2 to 100 10 to 100

Vacuum service Full vacuum Negative pressure but not up to full vacuum(Helium leak < 10-8 cc/s @ 1 atmosphere vacuum)

Description 7MP: high pressure GWR probe 7MB: standard twin rod GWR probeMaterials Probe 316/316L (1.4401/1.4404)

Hastelloy C® (2.4819) or Monel® (2.4360)Process seal Borosilicate/inconel X750 TFE with Viton GFLT, EPDM or

Kalrez 4079 (Consult factory for alternatives)Spacers Teflon

Probe diameter Inside rod: 8 mm (0.3125") – Two 13 mm (0.5") Ø rods –Outer tube: 22 mm (0.875") 22 mm (0.875") CL to CL

Mounting In-tank mounting only. Twin rod probe must be used in metallic vessel or stillwell > 25 mm(1") from any surface or obstruction

Process Connection Threaded: 3/4" NPT or 1" BSP (G1) Threaded: 2" NPT or 2" BSP (G2)Flanged: Various ANSI, DIN or “proprietary” Flanged: Various ANSI, DIN or “proprietary”mating flanges mating flanges

Probe length From 600 mm to 6100 mm (24 to 240"), selectable per 10 mm – up to 15 m (50') withtwin cable GWR probe, consult Eclipse 708 bulletin 57-108

Transition Zone➀ Top εr: 2,0 = 25 mm (1")/εr: 80 = 150 mm (6") 50 mm (2") + 102 mm (4") inactive lengthBottom εr: 2,0 = 150 mm (6")/εr: 80 = 25 mm (1") εr: 2,0 = 150 mm (6")/εr: 80 = 25 mm (1")

Process Temp. Max +200 °C @ 290 bar (+400 °F @ 4000 psi) +150 °C @ 20 bar (+250 °F @ 300 psi) /+200 °C (+400 °F) with max ambient temp.of +30 °C (+86 °F)

Min - integral electr. -40 °C @ 345 bar ( -40 °F @ 5000 psi) -40 °C @ 50 bar (-40 °F @ 750 psi)Min - remote electr. -150 °C @ 135 bar (-230 °F @ 2000 psi) -40 °C @ 50 bar (-40 °F @ 750 psi)

Max. Process Pressure 345 bar @ +20 °C (5000 psig @ +70 °F) 50 bar @ +20 °C (750 psi @ +70 °F)– see table at page 12 – see table at page 12

Max. Viscosity 500 cP 1500 cPDielectric Range 1,7 to 100 2,0 to 100Vacuum service Full vacuum Negative pressure but not up to full vacuum

(Helium leak < 10-8 cc/s @ 1 atmosphere vacuum)Media coating Not recommended in case of media coating Film: 3% error of coated length,

bridging not recommended➁

Jos J. Vierhout


UNDER RESERVE OF MODIFICATIONS

BENELUX Heikensstraat 6, 9240 Zele, België OUR NEAREST REPRESENTATIVETel. +32 (0)52.45.11.11 • Fax. +32 (0)52.45.09.93 • E-Mail: [email protected]

DEUTSCHLAND Schloßstraße 76, D-51429 Bergisch Gladbach-BensbergTel. 02204 / 9536-0 • Fax. 02204 / 9536-53 • E-Mail: [email protected]

FRANCE Le Vinci 6 - Parc d’activités de Mitry Compans, 1, rue Becquerel, 77290 Mitry MoryTél. 01.60.93.99.50 • Fax. 01.60.93.99.51 • E-Mail: [email protected]

ITALIA Via Arese 12, I-20159 MilanoTel. (02) 607.22.98 (R.A.) • Fax. (02) 668.66.52 • E-Mail: [email protected]

UNITED Unit 1 Regent Business Centre, Jubilee Road Burgess Hill West Sussex RH 15 9TLKINGDOM Tel. (01444) 871313 • Fax (01444) 871317 • E-Mail: [email protected]

INDIA E-22, Anand Niketan, New Delhi - 110 021Tel. 91 (11) 51661840 • Fax 91 (11) 51661843 • E-Mail: [email protected]

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QUALITY ASSURANCE - ISO 9001:2000

THE QUALITY ASSURANCE SYSTEM IN PLACE AT MAGNETROL GUARANTEES THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF QUALITY DURING THE DESIGN,THE CONSTRUCTION AND THE SERVICE OF CONTROLS.OUR QUALITY ASSURANCE SYSTEM IS APPROVED AND CERTIFIED TO ISO 9001:2000 AND OUR TOTAL COMPANY IS COMMITTED TOPROVIDING FULL CUSTOMER SATISFACTION BOTH IN QUALITY PRODUCTS AND QUALITY SERVICE.

PRODUCT WARRANTY

ALL MAGNETROL ELECTRONIC AND ULTRASONIC LEVEL CONTROLS ARE WARRANTED FREE OF DEFECTS IN MATERIALS AND WORK-MANSHIP FOR ONE FULL YEAR FROM THE DATE OF ORIGINAL FACTORY SHIPMENT. IF RETURNED WITHIN THE WARRANTY PERIOD; AND, UPON FACTORY INSPEC-TION OF THE CONTROL, THE CAUSE OF THE CLAIM IS DETERMINED TO BE COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY; THEN, MAGNETROL INTERNATIONAL WILL REPAIR ORREPLACE THE CONTROL AT NO COST TO THE PURCHASER (OR OWNER) OTHER THAN TRANSPORTATION. MAGNETROL SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR MISAPPLICATION, LABOR CLAIMS, DIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGE OR EXPENSE ARISING FROM THE INSTALLATIONOR USE OF THE EQUIPMENT. THERE ARE NO OTHER WARRANTIES EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, EXCEPT, SPECIAL WRITTEN WARRANTIES COVERING SOME MAGNETROLPRODUCTS.

:2000

BULLETIN N°: BE 57-101.9EFFECTIVE: JUNE 2003SUPERSEDES: February 2003

T E M P E R AT U R E - P R E S S U R E R AT I N G F O R E C L I P S E P R O B E S E A L S

L O O P R E S I S TA N C E

Process Temperature (°C)

Pro

cess

Pre

ssu

re (

bar

)

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

-40 -20 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200

7MA: coaxial GWR probe7MB: standard twin rod GWR probe7MR: overfill prevention GWR probe

Process Temperature (°C)

Pro

cess

Pre

ssu

re (

bar

)

0

50

100

150

200

250

-150 -100 -50 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400

300

350

7MD: high temperature / high pressure GWR probe7MP: high pressure GWR probe7MS: saturated steam GWR probe

1200

1000

800

600

400

200

0

0 10 20 30 40 Vdc

GENERAL PURPOSE (GP)INTRINSICALLY SAFE (IS)

20 mA

23 mA

24 Vdc

1200

1000

800

600

400

200

0

0 10 20 30 40 Vdc

EXPLOSION PROOF (XP)

20 mA

23 mA

24 Vdc

650

525

13,511

Ω Ω

Jos J. Vierhout


Documents

Test Report: T 2737 X 03 - Welcome to Magnetrol … Report: T 2737 X 03 Published by WIB, November 2003 Index Classification: 6.3 EVALUATION OF RADAR LEVEL TRANSMITTERS IN SIDE GAUGES