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JANUARY 2016 WET NEWS 19 continuous battery powered network monitoring for residual chlorine t. 0800 8046 062 www.atiuk.com The ONLY continuous battery powered chlorine monitor that is revolutionising the industry, making it the utilities number one choice. Offering flexibility, with no compromise on measurement accuracy, including: • Continued remote monitoring • Alerts to emerging high/low alarms includes optional GSM • Compact and easy to install • Extensive battery life • Includes 3 year spares Reactive. Responsive. Reliable. www.utilityweeklive.co.uk A unique opportunity to meet decision-makers from across the water industry. Rachael Lyon Business Development Director, Utility Week Live 2016 T +44 (0)1342 332097 M +44 (0)7968 301370 E rachael.lyon@fav-house.com Connecting Britain's utilities to their suppliers, contractors and partners From the team behind WET News and Water & Wastewater Treatment WET News From the team behind WET News and Water & Wastewater Treatment Download the brochure today from www.utilityweeklive.co.uk or contact: A solution: Measuring foamers Proven measurement technology leads to optimised foam control and reduced environmental impact. T he key problem is being able to understand the characteristics of the foam and then measure its thickness and, in some applications, identify where the foam-liquid interface resides. The foam can be controlled through the addition of de-foamers, but without the above key information, their addition is typically done on an empirical basis, oen based on historical experience. This can then result in a cyclic or sine wave solution to the problem. De-foamers are added in quantities based on maximum demand and the foam subsides. It then develops again above acceptable levels and more de-foamer is added. This staccato, reactive rather than pro-active approach, is expensive and wasteful. In many cases, when the foam disappears and the problem subsides, the rate of de-foamer addition is not reduced, resulting in excess chemical usage. The effective and reliable measurement of foam thick- nesses and foam-liquid inter- faces presents a number of challenges. Results can be adversely affected by a range of factors including constantly varying foam density and gradual coating or fouling of the measurement probes with residual product from the process chemicals. Traditional measurement techniques have been based on a range of existing level probe technologies adapted for foam measurement. In most applications, these fall short of providing an adequate and sustainable solution. Research Hycontrol's highly versatile range of Foam Control systems has been specifically developed for measuring the thickness of foam in a process, detecting foam-liquid interfaces and measuring liquid levels, ignor- ing the presence of any foam. The patented technology behind these systems origi- nated from detailed research into foam control during pharmaceutical fermentation. Hycontrol points out that the special measuring sensors and control equipment have been designed specifically for foam control and are not modified level sensors. Products for measuring foam in aqueous solutions are based on conductivity measurement technology. Hycontrol has developed the SureSense system for measuring the presence of foam in processes involving aqueous solutions. A typical system comprises a sensor installed, for instance, in the fermenter or mixing vessel and a controller connected via special cables. The probe is designed to sit above the liquid level and will detect the foam when it reaches a designated level. The level control output can be used to control the amount of de-foamer added to the process. It can be used for processes in which foam is unwanted and also those in which foam is a necessary part of the process. The SureSense also has the ability to detect the difference between foam and liquid if required. Therefore, in circumstances where the liquid level unexpectedly rises and covers the sensor, an alarm can be activated. The range of sensors has been certified for use in desig- nated hazardous areas where an explosion risk is present. The sensors are classified as intrinsically safe and can therefore be used in Zone 0. This makes them suitable for use in environments such as sealed tanks and vessels where there is always a risk of explosions occurring for pro- longed periods. The MultiSense system pro- vides the ultimate in foam measurement and control in aqueous solutions, with meas- urement capabilities up to 6m. The standard measuring probe, constructed from 316 stainless and polyether ether ketone (PEEK) is designed to withstand temperatures up to 170⁰C and pressures up to 25bar. The level sensor design features an array of small individual sensors, built into a single probe. Design concept Each sensor or 'section' acts as a separate micro-sensor and can be specified in size for particu- lar applications. The number of

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