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    Why Use Solids Flow Monitors?
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What product was sold in commercials with the tag line: "I'm not a doctor, but I play one on TV..."?

 

 

 

Fred

Assist in detecting problems and increasing automation


From complex automated systems with pneumatic lines to straight-forward gravity chutes, solids flow monitors can help to improve process performance. They are effective in detecting flow problems, as well as enhancing the level of automation at a facility. Solids flow monitors can assist in detecting problems in flow caused by equipment failures, plugged lines, leaks, material bridges upstream, low or no material, etc. They can also be used to add automation to a process like opening or closing valves, turning a conveyor on or off, and initiating a process function (spraying of a product additive).

The Model SFI and SFD-2 line of solids flow detectors from Monitor Technologies, LLC provide analog or relay outputs to indicate the flow / no-flow condition of powder and bulk solids materials in chutes and pneumatic conveying lines. Using microwave Doppler radar technology these units are non-invasive and extremely reliable and rugged to withstand the rigors of the installation and your process extremes. Since there are no moving parts, these monitors can provide dependable, low-maintenance service for many years.

Solids flow detectors like the Model SFI and SFD-2 can be used in applications for a variety of industries including construction materials (cement, sand, gypsum, etc.), wood chips / sawdust, feed mills & grain processing, consumer foods (cereal, coffee, sugar, cocoa, powdered milk, barley), plastics, chemicals & pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and more.

 

 

Solids Flow Application
One customer uses the analog signal from a Model SFI unit to monitor the flow of carbon black in toner cartridge manufacturing to ensure positive flow before further processing and to detect no-flow and possible plugged conditions. Another company uses the Model SFD-2 solids flow detector to monitor the flow of coal into the burner of a coal-fired power plant to detect no-flow conditions and ensure safety.

Whether a solids flow monitor is used to detect problems, increase automation or both, the end result is a substantial long term cost savings through: eliminating product waste, cutting “downtime”, reducing employee time spent on watching the processes or cleaning up spills/messes, increasing product quality (reducing defective product), and decreasing maintenance time / replacement costs on other methods of flow detection.

For more information about solids flow detectors from Monitor Technologies, LLC please visit www.monitortech.com or call us in the USA at 800-766-6486 or from anywhere at 630-365-9403. Also, visit our Level Measurement blog at http://monitortech.typepad.com.

Tech Tip: Dust can be a Problem when Adding
Computer Hardware
 

Greg DeRudderRecently I flew to San Antonio to resolve an issue where an RS-485 Flexar unit absolutely would not communicate with a recently installed RS-485 PCI Bus adapter. In this case, the computer recognized the card and drivers to be installed correctly because there were no errors reported when the hardware was examined in Control Panel of a PC running XP-Pro Service Pack 2.

After climbing the silo, examining all the wiring and soldered connections, verifying the sensor was functional at the process connection, I was ready to pull my hair out (It's OK, I have a lot for a man of my age). I had taken my laptop and a USB RS-485 converter with me. As soon as I plugged the customer's communication cable into my computer equipment I had instant and reliable communications established. ?Since the above mentioned actions isolated the problem to the customer's PC, we took the covers off and moved the PCI card to a different slot. In doing so,
I could feel the grit on the electronic connections as I pulled the board out. To make a long story short,
I took a deep breath and blew what I could out of the PCI Bus connector on the pc, re-installed the RS-485 adapter, and upon power up established a successful communication link between sensor and PC. Obviously, dust and dirt can be a good electrical insulator.

 

Dusty Computer

So, if you ever install computer hardware in a PC that has resided in a dusty/dirty environment for some time, I would consider taking the CPU outside and blowing it out with compressed air before performing the hardware installation. So, Concrete batch plants - take notice. :)

As a side note, there are industrial grade PC's on the market that are well sealed and cooling air is well filtered. They cost
typically 4 to 5 times more then a generic pc at your local super store but may indeed be worth the price to you. However, filters require periodic maintenance. Food for thought.

Please visit our blog at . . .
http://monitortech.typepad.com

 


Monitor's 2008 Top 20 Rep Ranking
BASED ON GROSS $ VOLUME  (As of June 1, 2008)
1 WD PATTERSON CO.
2 BALL SALES & ENG.
3 KENCOTRONICS
4 SAHLY ANDERSON
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17 CONSPARE LTD
18 POWELL EQUIP.
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Securecare Profile  
Name: Donna Cryer
TITLE: Sales Admin/ Receptionist
DEPT: Sales
ANIV: Nov. 05, 2007

Where are you from Originally?
Geneva, Illinois (all my life!)

What is your favorite food?
BBQ Ribs.

What customer item reminds you most of Monitor?
Animal feed for household pets, as well as livestock.

What is the best aspect of working at Monitor?
Monitor has a lot to offer. Regarding the people here, everyone helps wherever they can. No job is beneath anyone and the work always gets done. The customers and sales reps are also a pleasure to work with.

Donna Cryer
 

Monitor Technologies, LLC.

4W320 Keslinger Road
P.O. BOX 8048
Elburn, IL 60119-8048

800-601-5946
PH 630-365-9403
FAX 630-365-5646

 

 

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