Level control during transportation is a crucial factor for transporting liquid cargo. Whether transporting fuel, chemicals, or food ingredients, accurate level monitoring helps ensure safety and protect the interests of the cargo owner. In this article, we will look at two possible level control solutions – with data transmission and data logging.
When transporting liquids, several factors can affect data accuracy: sloshing, volume changes due to temperature, cargo tilt, etc. The purpose of a level control system is to detect significant changes in the level or compare the fill level over time, rather than precisely determining the cargo volume. Such solutions are particularly suitable for liquid cargo carriers and cargo owners who want to monitor volume consistency or changes during transport.
A stable power source is required for the level control system. In our solution, we use components that operate at 12V, allowing the system to be connected to the vehicle's battery or use an independent power source. This ensures continuous operation of the system even when the vehicle is turned off.
As the level sensor, we have chosen the ultrasonic sensor UM18-218166101 from SICK. This sensor operates in a range from 120 to 1000 mm, which is sufficient to monitor the upper fill level. The sensor provides a 4-20 mA signal, enabling precise data definition and conversion for further processing. The sensor is suitable for operation in extreme temperatures (from –25 °C to +70 °C) and environments that require a high level of protection (IP65/IP67).
For data processing, portable data loggers EasyLog EL-USB-4 from Lascar Electronics are used. These data loggers can store up to 32,000 records with a frequency from 1 second to 12 hours. This approach makes it easy to transfer data to a computer for further analysis using a USB connection.
For data logging, EasyLog EL-USB-4 loggers are used, which can store a large amount of data and offer convenient data processing capabilities. They are easy to set up and provide accurate logging of level changes, which can serve as a valuable source of information for both carriers and cargo owners.
If real-time level monitoring is required, the system can be supplemented with Seneca MyAlarm2 or MyAlarm3 Cloud data transmitters, which provide transmission of level changes to a mobile phone, email, or other data system. This allows for immediate response to significant changes and enhances cargo safety.
The cost of the solution can depend on several factors, including measurement range, accuracy, data exchange solutions, and installation materials. The estimated system cost ranges from 500 to 1500 EUR.
Level control during liquid cargo transportation is a crucial factor that helps ensure safety and efficiency. By choosing the appropriate solution, carriers and cargo owners can be confident in monitoring their cargo volume and changes during transport. Our offered solutions with data logging and transmission provide the ability to customize the system to specific requirements and ensure maximum control over transportation.
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