Cement and lime: storage of raw materials and finished products

The last step to the finished product

After the limestone has been burned to quicklime and the raw flour to clinker, the products are stored for further processing. Beside the intense dust generation, the partially high product temperatures and the aggressive properties of the dust make high demands on the measurement technology. Depending on the production capacity of a cement plant, the clinker silos can be of considerable size, not infrequently reaching a height of over 50 m (164 ft).

VEGAPULS 68 for level measurement in the clinker silo

Due to the highly abrasive properties of the clinker and temperatures up to 200 °C (392 °F), measuring techniques that have physical contact with the medium are completely out of the question. The radar sensor VEGAPULS 68 combines very simple mounting and set-up with wear-free, contactless measurement. The parabolic antenna is particularly suitable for large silos, as it provides optimal focussing of the microwaves. In silos with very large dimensions, several sensors are sometimes used to capture the complete profile of the product surface.

VEGACAP 65 as overfill protection

Ruggedness is of utmost importance in the clinker silo. That is why capacitive measurement lends itself well to this application. VEGACAP 65 is characterised by a stable, wear-resistant mechanical construction and an easy set-up procedure. Neither condensate nor build-up can impair its reliability as overfill protection.

VEGAPULS 68 for level measurement of fine lime, raw flour and cement

Extreme dust generation during the filling of powdery products often makes contactless measurement with ultrasound impossible. VEGAPULS 68 provides a good solution here, since microwaves are not influenced by the filling stream and the dust. With a measuring range up to 70 m (230 ft), the VEGAPULS 68 radar sensor is the ideal measuring instrument for this application. It can be optimally aligned to the product surface with a swivel mount.

Level measurement with VEGAFLEX 62

The medium-contacting sensor VEGAFLEX 62 works reliably and trouble-free in cement silos up to 40 m (130 ft) high. Because the sensor comes already calibrated to the probe length, adjustment on site is not necessary. Set-up thus involves only electrical connection of the two-wire sensor. Product changes, such as e.g. an admixture of aggregates, have just as little effect on the measuring results as varying product quality does.

Overfill protection with VEGAWAVE 62

The vibrating level switch VEGAWAVE 62 lends itself well as overfill protection. It requires no adjustment whatsoever and provides reliable switching with varying product quality in the silo. For the user this means: “plug and play”. Since VEGAWAVE 62 has practically no moving parts, it is not subject to wear and is maintenance-free throughout its entire life cycle.

VEGAPULS 68 Non-contact measurement Easy set-up Process temperatures up to +200 °C (+392 °F) Maintenance-free Two-wire technology		VEGACAP 65 Easy set-up Process temperatures up to +200 °C (+392 °F) Very robust construction Cable can be shortened Insensitive to build-up and condensate
VEGAPULS 68 Non-contact measurement Measurement up to 70 m (230 ft) Maintenance-free Two-wire technology reduces wiring costs	VEGAFLEX 62 Set-up without adjustment Insensitive to dust and build-up Cable can be shortened up to 60 m (200 ft)	VEGAWAVE 62 Maintenance-free overfill protection with suspension cable extension Set-up without adjustment High operational reliability (SIL 2)