Hazardous Area Level Sensors (ATEX) For Liquefied Gas Measurement In Petrochemical Industry

Published 26 Jan 2017

By Chris Dodds : estimated reading time 5 minutes

hazardous area level sensors WITH ATEX CERTIFICATION

Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) & Liquid Natural Gas (LNG)

Liquid gases such as butane and propane are created in crude oil distillation processes.

The gases are stored either under pressure in horizontal or spherical tanks or at incredibly low temperatures. There are operational issues as the level measurement sensors need to be highly reliable as the tanks cannot be open for several years at a time.

ATEX

The ATEX hazardous area directive consists of two EU directives describing the type of equipment and work environment allowed in an environment with an explosive atmosphere. ATEX derives its name from the French title of the 94/9/EC directive: Appareils destinés à être utilisés en ATmosphères EXplosibles.

Selecting electrical, process or instrumentation equipment for hazardous areas can be complex and several factors must be considered in the decision making process.

Hazardous area classification must be carried out according to established codes (such as ATEX) or quantitative methods requiring a detailed knowledge of the plant. Sources of flammable gas or vapour release must also be identified, located and attributed to the specific potentially explosive Gas Group (G) or Dust Group (D).

Furthermore, explosive gases and dusts have an ignition temperature – the ATEX certified level sensors according to the equipment marking should be matched against the equipment temperature class (T).

Ambient temperatures, protection concepts and hazardous area zone also dictate the selection process and level sensor specification – should you require any assistance with the selection or specification of process instrumentation equipment including level sensors please do not hesitate to contact us.

Level Detection

With VEGA VEGASWING 63

Due to its high pressure resistance and impermeability, VEGASWING 63 is especially suitable for all level measurement and detection applications in LPG. The vibrating level switch is absolutely impervious and can be provided with an additional gas-tight lead through. The level sensors can also reliably detect the empty condition.

ATEX Certified Hazardous Area Level Sensor
ATEX / Europe, Ex-Zone 0
Ex Marking II 1/2 G Ex d IIC T2…T6

VEGA Level Switch - VEGASWING 63 Vibrating Level Switch

Level & Interface Measurement

WITH VEGA VEGAFLEX 67

Especially for measuring ranges up to 6 metre, the VEGAFLEX 67 guided microwave instrument offers the best solution for continuous level measurement, with simultaneous detection of the water level in LPG applications. Part of the transmitted signal penetrates the surface of the liquefied gas and is reflected by the water surface that exists close to the bottom of the vessel. Both levels are indicated via the analysis of the two signals.

ATEX Certified Hazardous Area Level Sensor
ATEX / Europe, Ex-Zone 0
Ex Marking II 1/2 G Ex d IIC T6

VEGA VEGAFLEX 67

Trouble-Free Retrofitting

WiTH VEGA VEGAPULS 68

Retrofitting with standpipes for level measurement is work and cost-intensive, especially in large vessels. The high-sensitivity radar instrument VEGAPULS 68 can acquire level data of liquid gas without the usual standpipes. A ball valve separates the level sensor from the process and enables retrofitting without emptying the vessel.

ATEX Certified Hazardous Area Level Sensor
ATEX / Europe, Ex-Zone 0
Ex Marking II 1/2 G or II 2 G Ex d ia II T6

VEGA Level Sensor - VEGAPULS 68 Radar Level Sensor

VEGA VEGAPULS 63 – Extremely Low Temperatures

VEGAPULS 63 is the ideal sensor for all applications in extremely low temperatures. Due to the antenna cover of PTFE, the level sensing instrument can be used even when product temperatures drop to -200 °C. An additional temperature-isolating elastomer seal is not required – for products with poor reflective properties, such as liquid nitrogen, application with a standpipe is recommended.

ATEX Certified Hazardous Area Level Sensor
ATEX / Europe, Ex-Zone 0
Ex Marking II 1/2 G or II 2 G EExd ia IIC T6

VEGA Level Sensor - VEGAPULS 63 Radar Level Sensor

For more information about the VEGA range of level measurement instruments please contact T&D.

T&D UK & International: Project Suppliers To The Onshore & Offshore Oil, Gas, Petrochem & Hazardous Area Industries.

Process Instrumentation Equipment

for Hazardous Areas & Explosive Atmospheres

Thorne & Derrick International, based in the UK, distribute Explosion Proof & Hazardous Area Process Instrumentation Equipment (ATEX & IECEx Certified): this includes industrial measurement probes, humidity sensors, data loggers, handheld instruments and transmitters for temperature measurement and monitoring of relative humidity. Additionally, hazardous area instrumentation is also available for monitoring carbon dioxide, differential and process pressure, flow, dew point, water activity and analog signals.

ASCO – Solenoid Valves for Air, Water, Vacuum, Steam, Oil, Acids and Alkali
Ashcroft – Pressure Gauges
Deeter Electronics Ltd – Level Sensors & Float Switches
Fisher – Control Valves (Rotary, Sanitary & Sliding Stem)
IFM Electronic – Sensors (Temperature, Flow, Pressure & Level Measurement)
Katronic – Ultrasonic Flowmeters & Flow Measurement
KROHNE – Hazardous Area Process Instrumentation, Meters & Measurement
Micronics – Flow Meters (Ultrasonic Clamp-On Fixed & Portable Meters)
Rotronic – Sensors, Probes, Indicators, Transmitters & Measurement Instruments
SICK – Temperature, Level, Pressure & Flow Sensors
Sika – Temperature Calibrators, Flow Meters & Magnetic Flow Sensors (Magmeters)
VEGA – Level, Point Level & Pressure Measurement Sensors, Instruments & Transmitters
Hazardous Area Lighting | Junction Boxes & Enclosures | Plugs | Electrical Panels
Detection Systems for Hazardous Areas | Gas | Heat | Flame | Fire

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Thorne & Derrick

ABOUT US

Thorne & Derrick International are your single-source supplier of Electrical, Mechanical, Process & Instrumentation Equipment. T&D provide an outstanding service to UK and international customers – we are highly customer responsive and absolutely committed to providing a world-class service.

T&D supply utilities, power, renewable energy, construction, rail, manufacturing, food/beverage, mining, oil, gas and petrochemical industries – distributing 100,000+ products from 100+ manufacturers from multi-million pound stocks. Since 1985 we have established a solid reputation based on service, integrity and trust.