Precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) is a commonly used additive in paper production. A large paper company in the Northwest needed continuous level measurements on PCC tanks at a plant to ensure efficient production. Previously, the company used a 26GHz radar level meter, which often crashed during measurement. The company was tired of frequent production stops and maintenance calls, so they began looking for level measurement solutions from other meter suppliers. After some searching, they contacted a radar expert at VEGA.

80GHz technology unlocks more measurement possibilities

1734-OB8S VEGA’s sales people visited the paper company to find measurement problems and come up with better solutions. The company isn’t quite sure why the existing radar is having problems. After evaluating the PCC tank, VEGA experts found that the 26GHz radar level meter was clearly not sufficient to measure reliable level data.

It is simple to recommend a new measurement solution for PCC tanks: the VEGAPULS 6X is a level meter suitable for all level measurement applications, regardless of liquid or solid. The VEGAPULS 6X can be configured specifically for the application, and in this case an 80GHz configuration had to be selected because of measurement issues with the previous 26GHz meter.

VEGA was so confident with the assessment that they offered VEGAPULS trial gauges to paper companies to demonstrate its performance. The performance of the instrument impressed the staff, and the narrow emission Angle of the 80GHz radar level meter ensured that the instrument only detected echoes reflected from the surface of the medium, so it achieved more reliable measurement results than 26GHz technology in a wide range of applications. Equally impressive is the ease of use of the meter. Through Bluetooth, the staff can wirelessly operate the device and view the measurement results.

THE 6X® Builds a successful future

1734-OB8S After witnessing the powerful performance of VEGAPULS 6X, the paper company was excited to sign a contract with VEGA. They installed one VEGAPULS 6X on each PCC tank and purchased four more for installation at other locations on the site. Since the adoption of 80GHz radar technology, the company has obtained reliable, accurate level data and no longer has to worry about meter crashes. VEGAPULS 6X is the key to efficient production for companies like paper mills.

More paper industry applications

1, lime warehouse material level measurement

In the pulping process, quicklime is an important raw material in the alkali recovery process. Quicklime is recycled by calcining causticized white mud in lime kilns. The prepared quick lime is fed to the lime bin by the bucket elevator for temporary storage, and then fed to the feeder by the screw conveyor for causticizing lye. To ensure adequate supply for the lime causticization process, continuous level measurement of the lime bin can be performed using the VEGAPULS 6X radar level meter.

2, starch bunker level measurement and dispersion trough cut-off alarm

Starch is an important additive that can improve the strength of paper. Starch raw materials are generally stored in high and narrow silos, and pneumatic conveying is used when feeding, which causes serious dust. During production, the starch enters the dispersion tank under the silo and is fed into the starch digester by a single screw pump. In order to control the feed process, it is necessary to reliably measure the level of the starch bin, and VEGAPULS 6X is a reliable choice; In order to prevent idling of the single screw pump, limit detection of the dispersion tank can be performed using the VEGASWING 61 tuning fork switch.