Operating in open-cast mines presents significant challenges, pushing measurement technology to its limits. Fortunately, Regnars can depend on accurate measurement data to effectively manage their production processes. Sensors using radar-based VEGA level transmitters provide essential transparency in difficult environments, ensuring both efficiency and safety.
Melaphyre: A Raw Material Demanding Precise Measurement Technology
Melaphyre is a fine-grained basaltic rock that serves as a vital raw material for construction materials, concrete, and road aggregates. Processing melaphyre is a complex, multi-stage operation requiring precise measurement at numerous points.
At the Tlumaczów open-cast mine, operated by Regnars in Lower Silesia, Poland, the accurate measurement of melaphyre levels within crushers, mills, and silos is critically important.
Previously employed ultrasonic measuring instruments proved unreliable and ill-suited for the harsh operational conditions. The solution to these challenges arrived in the form of VEGA level transmitters, particularly those from the VEGAPULS BASIC series.
How VEGA Radar Transmitters Excel in Harsh Open-Cast Mining Environments
VEGA's 80-GHz radar technology facilitates non-contact measurement, allowing the transmitter to remain at a safe distance from the measurement point. This significantly minimizes the risk of damage or interference from the mining processes themselves.
Furthermore, VEGA radar transmitters are unaffected by temperature fluctuations, vacuum, or pressure. While dust, vibration, falling stone chips, and variable weather conditions severely impact ultrasonic transmitters and cause malfunctions, these environmental factors pose no issues for VEGAPULS BASIC level transmitters.
These instruments are robust and durable, operating with high accuracy around the clock. The high 80-GHz frequency allows the radar beam to be tightly focused and precisely directed onto the bulk solid material.
This capability enables VEGA radar transmitters to measure effectively even in narrow shafts, through dense dust clouds, and within vessels with internal fixtures. Even antennas covered in dust have minimal impact on the measurement results.
Reliable despite dust and dirt: Compact VEGAPULS transmitters are maintenance-free and deliver precise measuring results in the buffer silo around the clock. Image Credit: VEGA Controls Ltd.
Endurance Trial for VEGA Level Transmitters
The VEGAPULS BASIC radar transmitters demonstrated their capabilities during practical testing at Regnars. To ensure continuous operation, they accurately measure the melaphyre level within crushers and buffer silos.
Whether as wire-connected VEGAPULS C 21 and VEGAPULS C 23 in silos or as VEGAPULS 11 and VEGAPULS 31 units featuring local displays, these transmitters provide crucial transparency and maintain process continuity.
VEGAPULS radar transmitters of the BASIC series measure the level of raw material in the crushers. Image Credit: VEGA Controls Ltd.
Simplified Mounting, Trouble-Free Installation
VEGA provides a comprehensive range of accessories and various mounting brackets, significantly simplifying the installation of these radar transmitters for plant operators. Straightforward setup and commissioning ensure seamless integration of the VEGAPULS transmitters into existing processes.
To facilitate easy access to measurement data and parameters, the transmitters can be operated both locally and remotely - the latter conveniently via Bluetooth communication with a smartphone or tablet.
This feature is especially beneficial for installations that are difficult to access, such as those located in Ex-hazardous areas or within the demanding environmental conditions of open-cast mining, as encountered in Tlumaczów.
Conclusion
Regnars has leveraged VEGAPULS BASIC transmitters since the summer of 2023. The outcomes are evident: trouble-free and precise measurement of required levels under challenging circumstances.
VEGA level transmitters not only ensure the necessary product quality by guaranteeing efficient, stable, and uninterrupted mine operations but also safeguard the safety and well-being of mine workers.
This information has been sourced, reviewed and adapted from materials provided by VEGA Grieshaber KG
For more information on this source, please visit VEGA Grieshaber KG