Sticky, dusty, challenging: The VEGACAP 65 level switch measures the level undeterred

Salt, hydrogen, sodium hypochlorite, chlorine, caustic soda, VCM and PVC – these are the main products produced by the approximately 500 employees at the INEOS site in Jemeppe-sur-Sambre, Belgium. Every year, nearly 420,000 tonnes of PVC leave the plant to be delivered to the construction, automotive and piping industries. This makes the plant one of the largest of its kind in Europe.
The production of PVC powder presents many challenges: The powder is extremely dusty, and besides that, the individual grains are sticky, adhering not only to each other, but to the measuring instrument as well. For this reason, the point level sensor that measures the levels in the hopper must be robust, precise and permanently reliable. The solution for INEOS Inovyn: VEGACAP 65 with 4 ... 20 mA output.

VEGA’s capacitive sensor for point level detection has multiple advantages

VEGACAP 65 measures reliably even under extremely dusty conditions.
  • Buildup is detected early
  • Users can calibrate the sensor themselves at any time
  • Always enough supplies in stock 
  • Less buildup thanks to flexible “surfaces”
  • Simple mounting and setup

Early detection:
By presetting certain threshold values for detection at the current output of the sensor, the control system is able to interpret the values correctly. As a result, buildup is recognised right from the start.

Calibration:
VEGACAP 65 can be calibrated by the user himself by adapting the minimum and maximum values, together with the values with existing buildup, to the local requirements. For this purpose, the output signal can be easily adjusted. The point level sensor can be recalibrated and adjusted to the desired detection position at any time. This means that, for each application, one replacement sensor in stock is enough to guarantee uninterrupted production.

Flexible “surfaces”:
The “surfaces” of the sensor, with which the level is determined, are partly flexible. So, they can move and bend, which causes part of the deposits to fall off – the result is that the powder builds up much more slowly than with tuning fork sensors with rigid surfaces.

PVC is formed through the polymerisation of vinyl chloride. This chemical production method includes various refining processes – both under high pressure and at high temperatures. The raw material, which is fed to the process through a hopper, is in powder or granular form before it changes its state through the addition of special additives.
This is how PVC is produced
VEGACAP 65 on an input hopper: The measurement remains unaffected, even in case of powder buildup around the sensor.
“VEGACAP 65 works exactly as we had imagined,” says Tony Charlot, Manager of Engineering, Instrumentation and Electricity at INEOS Inovyn, who is more than satisfied. The sensor can be used on several different hoppers because “we can set the measurement parameters ourselves and adjust them to different measuring distances.” Charlot also emphasises the importance of continuous measurement with VEGACAP 65: “The analogue signal enables continuous monitoring of the operation, which is really helpful in case of buildup and changing media.” The extremely accurate measurement also improves inventory management and production efficiency. From installation to commissioning to function during operation: VEGACAP 65 makes everything easier – also at INEOS Inovyn.

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