About Solids Measurement

With Emerson™ you get accurate and cost effective solids measurement with minimum maintenance and easy installation.


Gain Total Bulk Solids Level and Volume Measurement Control

Measuring the level or volume of solids can be a challenge. Due to the material properties, solids surfaces are usually uneven with irregular shapes, and there are usually high levels of dust. Along with these challenges solid materials often have low dielectric constants making them hard to measure.

The Rosemount™ range of solids measurement devices is designed to suit your application. We offer different types of technologies to make sure you get the perfect fit for your application. 

How It Works

Most technologies for measuring level and/or volume of solid materials are top down.

Guided wave radar is less affected by uneven surfaces since the microwave signal is more compact and guided by the probe. Non-contacting radar is affected by uneven surfaces. To compensate for this, the device gathers smaller echoes and merges them into a single echo.

The acoustic phased-array is not affected by an uneven surface since it measures over wide surface areas and calculates an average level and volume.

There is often a considerable amount of dust created during the fill cycle of solid materials.

Radar and acoustic phased-array devices can handle dust in the vapor space without being disturbed. Other technologies such as ultrasonic and laser devices are less suitable since their signal is significantly impacted by dust.

Inventory measurement is often related to a demand for control, sometimes connected to an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. The need for accurate volume readings is therefore high.

Measuring solids volume is often a challenge due to material properties. There can be high peaks and deep holes and the surface is generally uneven. A single level measurement device can often mean less accurate results but by using multiple devices this can be avoided and the true volume can be measured.

The main benefit of a continuous level measurement is that it can be used to control a process or ensure material availability. In level measurement there are often relatively fast level changes which put demand on the device to react quickly. Radar devices are generally very good at this and are therefore recommended for level control. For long ranges or on very low dielectrics, the Rosemount 5708L for level measurements is a good alternative.

The mounting location in relation to the filling location is important for most measuring technologies. The closer the device is mounted to the filling point, the larger the risk of measurement interference.

There are cases where material is blown into a silo through a pneumatic process and measurements can be affected but this decreases with increased silo size. Dust from the filling can disturb measurement so it is recommended that the solids device is mounted in accordance with best practice.

No technology is perfect for all applications. Guided wave radar is well suited for smaller vessels and where the installation area is restricted.

Non-contacting radar has no restrictions with respect to material weight and may be used in applications where guided wave radar may be prone to probe breakage. It can provide precise measurements over a smaller surface area.

Acoustic phased-array devices can be used on a large variety of applications, but are especially suitable for bulk storage.


Improve Inventory Reporting and Cut Cost

Find out how accurate measurement of stored bulk solids can dramatically improve inventory reporting and cut costs in the process.

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