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Concrete Producer Succeeds with Guided Wave Radar
By Joe Lewis
May 1, 2006 - 8:44:00 PM

Batavia Concrete batch plant

Montgomery, IL -- Batavia Concrete is just one of many concrete batch plants operated by Prairie Materials in northern Illinois. Like most concrete plants, Batavia uses cement and flyash as ingredients. They had no idea how much material they had left in the storage bins until a low or high level indicator provide a signal. They needed a better solution to make them more efficient.

Monitor Technologies LLC introduced the Flexar™ guided wave radar continuous level measurement system to Batavia Concrete in December 2005. This level sensing system was strategically acquired by Monitor during 2005 to add to its significant solution capability for powder and bulk solids applications. Flexar is proven technology combined with five decades of bulk solids experience and unique inventory management software solutions. Monitor knew it had the right solution for Batavia Concrete.

Batavia Concrete uses a multiple compartment batch plant manufactured by Erie Strayer of Erie, PA. Monitor Technologies and Erie Strayer have worked together for many years so Monitor was familiar with the batch plant and bin design. Chief application engineer for Monitor, Andy Bowman, decided to employ the Flexar technology and product to help Batavia Concrete. Fred Thompson, Regional Operations Manager of Batavia Concrete, has been satisfied with this solution ever since it was installed.

Flexar guided wave radar used on flyash and cement powder

Observations during filling cycles were very good right off. Flexar didn’t skip a beat, even with the heavy dust kicked up during pneumatic filling.

Flexar is a guided wave radar continuous level sensor. Distance/level is measured by the time-of-flight of the reflection of a microwave signal (transmitted down the wave-guide, which is a heavy-duty 0.3” SS cable with 3.9 ton tensile strength) off the material surface. Cement and flyash both have relatively low dielectric constants and Flexar’s direct measuring mode was successful in providing real-time continuous updates of the material level during filling and draw-down.

Both Flexar units are installed with 34’ cable length. The 4-20mA signal from each Flexar unit is connected to a panel meter in the control room. Customer observations indicate accurate measurements and they are very happy. Fred Thompson reports that he desires to install Flexar units at other plants within his regional area of responsibility. He prefers the true continuous nature of Flexar guided wave radar units.

For more information contact:
Mr. Joe Lewis
Monitor Technologies LLC
Email: jlewis@monitortech.com
Website: www.monitortech.com




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