Today, there are multiple options and variations are available in order to cater all the small and large businesses. The ultrasonic level indicator for food processing is from their range of liquid leak detector. It is a non-invasively verifies the contents of cylinders and tanks holding liquids, suitable for a range of industrial purposes e.g food processing and ammonia cylinders in aerospace.

IBCs Industrial Food Processing
Background:
Food processing factory based in the south of the UK producing Coleslaw, packaged salads and pastas for the likes of McDonalds, Tesco, Morrisons, Lidl. Producing over 130,000 pots of Coleslaw a day.

Application:
2.2 metre high, 5mm stainless steel wall, filled with mayonnaise to be used for the Coleslaw. The current monitoring method consists of employing ladders to peer into the cylinder and check usage and remaining contents. The issue with this method lies in potential contamination and is a health and safety risk to the operator.

Solution:
Engineers conducted a site visit and after a short trial they were able to gauge that the existing liquid level indication technology employed on previous ranges would be efficient in quickly and accurately gauging the liquid level of mayonnaise within the vessel. It is known to be an efficient ultrasonic leak detector.

Implementation:
The implementation of the ultrasonic level sensor allows the plant to run more efficiently and reduces risks by providing the staff with a means of accurately and non-invasively monitoring the contents within the mayonnaise tank negating the need for physical inspection using ladders posing a health and safety risk to the operator.

Possibilities:
The trial and implementation suggested that could develop a fixed monitoring system for this vessel and others like it, in order to non-invasively; continuously monitor the contents of mayonnaise (or any other condiments) within the tank. In addition we also saw possibilities to refine the capabilities of the ultrasonic liquid level sensor to increase ease of use.

Ammonia cylinders in Aerospace
Background:
Manufacturer of high-end components for Aerospace and other high-end engineering. The Wolver Hampton facility runs 24/7 365 days a year and is the size of around 2-3 football pitches. The facility is concerned mainly in manufacturing high-end actuators that are installed on a range of civil and defense systems.

Application:
The facilities manager of the factory met with us at the Facilities Management show in Birmingham weeks prior. We were informed on the need to monitor the contents within Ammonia Cylinders.

The customer uses ammonia in a nitriding process in which ammonia is applied to a heated metal infusing the metal with Nitrogen. This can have beneficial properties such as making the metal harder/tougher/higher melting temperatures etc. Presently, weighing techniques are used to ensure a cylinder has enough contents for a run. This has been shown to be ineffective and incur waste - a non-invasive, accurate method would be quicker, reduce waste and save money.

Solution:
A Coltraco Engineer visited the site to conduct technology suitability trials. Our technology was found to be effective in accurately and quickly in identifying the liquid level within the ammonia cylinders.

Implementation:
It was recommended that a standard un-altered liquid level indicator would be a suitable solution.
We also cooperated with the customer to develop an in-house testing and recording process that was compatible with their current processes. The solution provided a quick and accurate non-invasive solution, which allowed for more efficient operations and reduced waste by ensuring partially empty cylinders were not returned to the gas supplier.

Possibilities:
The trial and implementation suggested that we could develop a fixed monitoring system for this agent to non-invasively constantly monitor their cylinder contents. This also stimulated interest in developing an Ammonia Portasteele® program by Coltraco to allow the accurate conversion of liquid level to agent mass.