EFP Series 2-channel enclosure with example void fraction sensor probes

EFP Series two-channel enclosure with three void fraction sensor blade probes.


EFP Series 5-channel enclosure

EFP Series 5-channel enclosure.


EFP Series 5-channel enclosure, rear view with electomechanical rotators and ethernet port

EFP Series 5 channel enclosure, rear view. This unit has been equipped with coaxial electromechanical rotator switches allowing each channel to acquire data from up to 6 different sensor probes. Each signal processor card comes with the capability to actuate switches like this, as well as integrated thermocouple electronics.

EFP Series Guided Ultra-Wideband (UWB) Radar Sensors

Using specialized metallic probes as waveguides, EFP Series signal processors produce extremely short risetime pulses that propagate in a process similar to radar. Unlike other guided radar level sensors, which use simple narrowband radar signals, the EFP Series uses ultra-wideband (250 kHz to 12.5 GHz) radar signals with complex propagation characteristics. This allows for the determination of many useful properties not measureable with narrowband radars, most with acquisition times on the order of 1 ms. Cost and ease of setup / calibration is on par with leading narrowband guided radar systems.

  • Liquid level
  • Froth height and density
  • Froth-liquid and liquid-liquid interfaces
  • Film thickness
  • Void fraction
  • Estimation of entrained droplet velocity and slip differential
  • Collapsed liquid level in boiling / high-void environments
  • Relative mixture constituents in many mixtures, slurries, and emulsions
  • Volumetric moisture measurement in bulk solids
  • Relative humidity

EFP Series signal processors are interchangeable, hot-swappable, and can function in any of the following sensor modalities with the proper specialized probe and network-upgradeable signal processing software modules. Many of these sensor modalities can be combined on the same probe channel (e.g., liquid-level and alchol content in a brewery application), and channel data can be combined in real-time for other measurements (e.g., combine void fraction and liquid level data to determine collapsed liquid level in a boiling heat exchanger).

EFP Series Liquid Level and Film Thickness Sensors

  • Robust liquid level measurements including froth/foam height, froth-liquid and liquid-liquid interface in almost any medium.
  • Accurately characterizes complex environments that most other guided radar liquid level systems cannot.
  • Liquid level measurements > 200 ft (60 m).
  • Film thickness measurement precision to better than 0.02 in (0.5 mm), depending on the application.
  • Long-life durability in extreme environments (see Environmental below).
  • Applications: Nuclear, Chemical, Petroleum, Steel, Waste Water, Food and Beverage industries, etc.

EFP Series Multiphase Void Fraction Sensors

  • Specialized probe and optional firmware module allow measurement of local void fraction on any sensor channel.
  • Sensitivity to better than ±0.5% void in steam-water environments.
  • Rapid (as low as 1 ms) acquisition allows void transients to be accurately characterized.
  • Autocorrelation methods allow void, entrained droplet, and differential slip velocities to be estimated.
  • Use in conjunction with EFP Series liquid level data to accurately determine the true collapsed liquid level of boiling liquids with high swell ratios -- see Applications page for our solution to a complex measurement problem in a nuclear plant heat exchanger.
  • Applications: Nuclear, Chemical, Petroleum, Steel, Waste Water, Food and Beverage industries, etc.
  • Read an experimental description of void fraction measurement using the EFP Series at Knolls Atomic Power Lab (KAPL), US Dept of Energy.

EFP Series Mixture Sensor

  • Liquid level probes may be used for simultaneous level and mixture constituent measurement. An optional firmware module is required.
  • Sensitivity to better than ± 1% mixture constituent in many process line materials.
  • Many applications:
    • Fat content in milk and other products
    • Alcohol content in brewery applications
    • Oil / oil and oil / water mixtures and emulsions
    • Many other mixtures

EFP Series Volumetric Moisture Sensor

  • Specialized large-volume probes and optional firmware module allow non-contact measurement of bulk moisture on process lines.
  • Sensitivity to better than ± 1% bulk moisture in many materials, with true volumetric measurement. Depending on the application, even relative humidity of air can be measured.
  • Extremely robust, long-life probes.
  • Applications:
    • Food processing (e.g., cut potatoes before and after drying)
    • Pulp and paper processing
    • Many other applications

Common EFP Series Features


Probes

  • Probes and cables are customized for your particular application requirements.
  • Using advanced materials and unique fabrication techniques, we are able to ensure long probe life in even the most demanding environments.
  • Please see Probes and Cables page for more details.

Software and System Integration

  • All signal processor channels have their own integrated web and telnet server, so setup and trouble-shooting is easy.
  • System status and real-time measurements from any channel are available on Microsoft® Internet Explorer®.
  • Drivers are available for LabVIEW®, Matlab®, and other systems.
  • Microsoft® Windows® desktop software is available for data review, post-processing, and for exporting data to other programs.

Electronics

  • Rack-mountable multichannel signal processor enclosures hold up to 10 signal processor channels per box.
  • Embedded 686-class CPU for each sensor channel handles low-level processing and ensures system scalability.
  • Signal processor enclosures are fully electrically isolated and hot-swappable.
  • Communication is provided through 10/100/1000 Mb Ethernet, USB 1.1/2.0, RS-232, 4-20 mA, and/or optional IEEE 802.11 b/g wireless.

Environmental

  • Pressures > 2500 PSI (17 MPa)
  • Temperatures > 660 °F (621 K)
  • pH from 2 - 11+
  • Conductivity to > 4000 µmhos (4 millisiemens).
  • System is unaffected by probe voltages of > 200 V, and probe current fields of > 1000 A.

How to purchase

Every application is different, and our goal is to find the solution that fits your measurement and budgetary needs perfectly. An experienced application engineer is standing by to answer any questions and plan a customized measurement solution for you. Please contact us!