Friday, May 30, 2014

Testing Water Level inside a Boiler

Gauge glass is designed to show the level of water inside a boiler. The bottom of the glass must be at least three inches above the tubes in order to function well. The passage leading to the glass can be clear and water level can be tested accurately by taking these steps.

1. The top valve on column and top valve on glass must be closed, while the drain valve on glass should be opened. If water flows freely from drain, the water passages from boiler column and from column to glass are clear.

2. The bottom valves on column and glass should be closed, while the top valve should be open. If the steam flows freely from drain valve at bottom of glass, steam passage from boiler to column and from column to glass are clear.

3. The drain valves on glass are closed and drain valve on column are opened. If steam flows freely from column drain, the column itself can be conclude as crystal clear.

4. The column drain valves are closed and the bottom valves of column and glass are opened. The water will rise quickly to its correct level in the glass when the valve is closed. If action is sluggish, some obstruction may still be in the pipes or valves. The entire drain valve must be surely tightly closed and all other valves widely opened.

These are the proper procedures in testing the water level using a water column. With simply opening the drain valve and not touching any of other valves, the glass does not prove that both top and bottom connection are clear.

A water column is a hollow casting, or forging, connected by pipes at top and bottom to the boiler's steam and water spaces. For more information about water column and how it works, consult with the experts at Quest-Tec Solutions or visit their website at http://questtecsolutions.com/water-column-products.

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Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Choosing Sight Glass for Your Liquid Level Indication Needs

A sight glass is a tool that enables operators to safely observe processes inside tanks, pipes, reactors, and vessels. When it comes to selecting a sight glass, a wide variety of factors should be considered in order to ensure optimal performance.

In choosing a sight glass, start by defining the process to be observed, with considerations given to temperature, pressure, impact, physical characteristics of the process media, flow, and whether or not the process has sanitary requirements. With these factors in mind, you can begin choosing the appropriate type of sight glass that you need for your specific application.

Types of Sight Glasses

Sight glass window – This type of sight glass is often used on a process vessel or tank. It is a window that allows operators to inspect the process media, observe reactions, observe the functioning of mixing equipment, verify the presence or absence of media, and see liquid level among others. It consists of metal, glass, and gasket components.

Sight flow indicator – A sight flow indicator is used in process pipelines to observe the flow of liquid, powder or gas. It is comprised of a body with one or more viewing windows, usually with gaskets, and a way to mount the indicator to the pipeline. It is installed in a pipe to provide a visual means of verifying flow for direction and approximate rate of the process media. Through the sight flow indicator, operators can easily observe the color, clarity and flow of the medium passing through the window.

Purchasing Sight Glass

Choose a sight glass with a viewing area of four inches in diameter as this is the minimum area for viewing, giving just enough room to use both eyes. Smaller areas of glass can be used for sight glasses that are specifically for lights and cameras.

By giving careful consideration to guidelines above, you should easily and successfully navigate the sight glass specification process. For more information about choosing and using sight glasses, consult with the experts at Quest-Tec Solutions or visit their website at http://questtecsolutions.com/sight-glass-for-liquid-level-gauges.

Monday, May 12, 2014

Understanding Transparent Level Gauges

A transparent level gauge is type of liquid level gauge with a different design and composition compared to reflex level gauge. It is appropriate for almost all installations and used in a wide variety of applications, and it permits the use of Mica shields for excellent glass protection.


How Transparent Level Gauge Works

Transparent level gauges employ two transparent glasses fitted with a liquid chamber on either side. The liquid level is indicated as a result of difference in the transparent properties of the two media. For water or steam applications, an illuminator is mounted on the rear side of the gauge with its light rays deflected upward into the water column. This enables the observer to see illuminated surface of the water as the light rays impinged on the surface of separation between water and steam are reflected back to the eye of the observer.

Choosing Transparent Level Gauges

Choose a transparent level gauge with liquid chambers that are made in one piece from a solid bar that have high physical properties at elevated temperatures. Make sure that they are accurately machined and ground to give perfect gasket seating for glass.

The cover of your level gauge should be made from high-grade materials such as a solid bar of steel and is jig drilled for interchange ability.

For the glass, make sure it is tempered, chemically stable, and absolutely transparent to make the device suitable for use at high pressures and temperatures, and will resist to chemical attack of all fluids. For steam and alkaline fluids, mica shields are recommended as protection to give longer life to transparent glasses.

Gaskets should be die-cut from highest quality material best suited for use with liquid being gauged and guaranteed perfect seal and absence of mechanical stress on the glass.

For more information about liquid level gauges and its various types including reflex and transparent level gauge, consult with the experts at Quest Tec Solutions or visit their website at http://questtecsolutions.com/reflex-level-gauge-vs-transparent-level-gauge.

Monday, May 5, 2014

Choosing Probes and Float Systems for Your Water Column

Water column instruments are devices designed to provide accurate pressure readings and help water level indicating operations run smoothly. The three primary components of water level indication systems include a water column, control unit, and remote display.
Photo credited to http://www.wika.co.za/upload/WIKA_Thumbnails/PIC_PR_LGG_de_de_24413_Product-Detail-Large.png

Choosing Probes for Your Water Column

Probe is an essential part of the water column. Here are some helpful tips that you should keep in mind when choosing probes for your water column.
  1. Electrical probe safety systems operate a larger number of functions than mechanical float safety. Probes may be positioned to actuate audible and/or visual alarms, fuel cut-out controls, pump controls, or other equipment. Thus, choose probes over mechanical floats.
  2. Exceptional probe sensitivity increases system reliability. Choose probes that feature high sensitivity and perform at the forefront of probe technology. In particular, make sure that ach probe model will respond to pure water of ultra-low conductivity (less than 1 micro mho) to complete circuits. In addition, choose probes with service life that is extended by using available renewing kits.
  3. Choose probes with an alarm system that provides an on/off actuation of high and low water alarms. Other features which you can look for include fuel cut-out trip, pump control, and PCB control unit.
Choosing Float Systems for Your Water Column
  1. Choose a reliable float that warns of high/low water levels in cast iron columns serving 0 to 250 PSI or forges steel columns serving pressures up to 900 PSI.
  2. Choose a mechanical float type alarm system that employs lightweight floats and responds to as little as one-quarter inch level variations. Alarm components sit high in the column, removed from corrosive agents and scale. Quality materials and design simplicity combine to minimize requirements for periodic adjustment and maintenance.
To know more information about water column, probes, and float systems, consult with the experts at Quest Tec Solutions, manufacturers of high-quality liquid level indicators and gauges. Visit their website at http://questtecsolutions.com/water-column-products.