Wednesday, April 30, 2014

The Uses of Liquid Level Indicators

Liquid level indicators are tools and devices designed to indicate the accurate level of a certain liquid, such as water, oil, fuel, and even corrosive substances. They are used in many industrial applications as many industries, companies, and businesses have the need to measure liquids.


Here is why liquid level indicators are important. Below are just some of the important uses of level indicators

1. A liquid level indicator can be used to determine the hydraulic properties of aquifers and identify results of aquifer tests.

2. A liquid level indicator can be used in mapping the altitude of the water table or potentiometric surface of other liquid and substances.

3. A liquid level indicator can be used in monitoring short-term and long-term changes in ground-water recharge and storage.

4. A liquid level indicator can be used in monitoring the effects of climatic variability and changes in the atmosphere.

5. A liquid level indicator can be applied in monitoring regional effects of ground water development and in indicating statistical analysis of water-level trends.

6. A liquid level indicator can be used in monitoring changes in the flow directions of liquid and other substances.

7. A liquid level indicator can be used in monitoring ground-water and surface-water interaction.

8. A liquid level indicator is ideally used in numerical or computer modeling of ground-water flow or contaminant transport.

9. A liquid level indicator enables identification of fluid level in high pressure, high temperature environments.

10. A liquid level indicator allows user to identify whether fuel in a vehicle is still sufficient or is nearing to empty.

Different applications require different types of liquid level indicators, particularly because each fluid is different in terms of temperature, composition, and toxicity. Without the use of proper level indicators, these liquids will not be measured accurately and may bring further damage to the solution. For more information about liquid level indicators, visit http://questtecsolutions.com/liquid-level-indicators.

Understanding Gauge Glass: Advantages and Disadvantages

A gauge glass, also called sight glass, is a device used in the measurement of liquid level. It is used for continuous indication of liquid level within a tank or vessel.In the gauge glass method, a transparent tube is attached to the bottom and top of the tank that is monitored. The height of the liquid in the tube will be equal to the height of water in the tank.

While gauge glasses are useful in measuring various types of liquid, using such device still pose certain advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages of Using Gauge Glass

1. With a gauge glass, direct reading is possible.

2. There are special designs of the device available for use up to 3000’c and 650 kg/cm^2.

3. Glassless designs are available in numerous materials for corrosion resistance, as well.

Disadvantages of Using Gauge Glass

1. The main disadvantage of using gauge glass is that it is read where the tank is located which is not always convenient, especially if the tank is remotely located to a distance not easily observed.

2. Since gauge glasses are located outside the tanks, the liquid in the glass may freeze in cold or extreme weather even though the liquid inside the tank does not, and thus, it may cause error in the reading.

3. Heavy, viscous liquids or liquids containing material which falls out of solution and clog the tube cannot be measured satisfactory by this device.

4. For long level spans, overlapping gauges are needed.

5. Finally, the accuracy and readability of the glass reading depends on cleanliness of glass and fluid.

There is a wide variety of gauge glasses available in the market, with different sizes and styles to meet the needs of equipment manufacturers and operators. To know more about gauge glasses and other liquid level indicating devices, consult with the experts at Quest Tec Solutions or visit their website at http://questtecsolutions.com/sight-glass-for-liquid-level-gauges.

Monday, April 28, 2014

Choosing Magnetic Gage

Magnetic gages provide one of the safest and most economical solutions in measuring and controlling yourliquid level measurement needs.They are used in many industries as they are generally safe and easy to use. Popular applications of magnetic gages include measurement of oil, water, acids, solvents, alcohol, refrigerants, caustics, and many more.


Although there are a lot of available magnetic gages in the market, you may want to consider some factors when choosing one.

1. Ease of use and installation – Choose a magnetic level gage that is easy to install and can be attached to nearly any type, size, or shape of liquid vessel or tank. Excellent models are designed to be easily connected to any type of processing equipment. For instances where you are not confident to install the device on your own, you can seek the assistance of professional installers at a minimum installation cost.

2. Safe – Technically, magnetic level gages are safer than the other types of liquid level indicators. However, do ensure that the device you are getting is one of the safest level gauge options on the market. Make sure that it can accommodate processes involving extreme pressure, high or low temperatures, excessive vibration, and corrosive or hazardous materials.

3. High visibility – Choose a magnetic gage designed with highly visible level indicator with the precise level measurement of a guided wave radar transmitter. Redundant level control can be achieved by adding a magnetostrictive transmitter or switch to the float chamber, providing independent technologies in one package.

4. Other wining features – Choose a magnetic gage with an innovative design that maximizes the magnetic field, wide flags and enhanced indicator view, an impact-resistant polycarbonate indicator window, corrosion-resistant moving parts, a modular design with many additional options, and safe, non-mercury switches.

These are just some of the features that you need to look for in magnetic gages before you make a purchase. For more information about liquid level indicators, consult with the experts at Quest Tec Solutions, or visit their website at http://questtecsolutions.com/magnetic-gauges.

A Guide in Selecting the Right Mag Gage for Specific Applications

A magnetic gage, also called mag gage, is a deviceused for obtaining the liquid level measurements inside processing vessels.Selecting the appropriate magnetic gage for a specific application is important. Use the following questions to review your requirements and establish a set of criteria for selecting the right mag gage for the application. Let this guide provide you with the key to help you make informed gauge decisions.

1. What is the process fluid?
What is the specific gravity?
What is the operating temperature?
What is the operating pressure?
Does it come with total, interface, or dual-level detection?

2. What are the gauge body details?
What is the material of construction?
What is the maximum pressure requirement?
What is the necessary level range (fluid fluctuation—often the vessel height)?
Does it have vent and drain connections?

3. What are the process connection details?
What is the size?
What is the tyoe?
What is the rating?
What is the orientation and position?

4. What type of indicator is preferred?
Does it have flag (orange/black, yellow/black, red/white)?
Does it have shuttle?
Does it have color indicators?

5. What measuring scale is required?
Does it measure level in inches, feet, and/or meter?
Does it measure volume in gallong, liters, or custom?
Does it measure percentage of liquid saturation?

6. What accessories are necessary?
Does it have switch function and type?
Does it have level transmitter?
Does it have frost extension (required for cryogenic applications)?
Does it do heat trace?
Does it have high or low-temp insulation?
Does it have magnetic traps?
Does it have gauge glass?

Let this serve as your question checklist when choosing a mag gage to purchase for any specific application. For more information about magnetic gauges and liquid level indicators, visit http://questtecsolutions.com/magnetic-gauges.

Friday, April 25, 2014

Magnetic Liquid Level Indicator vs. Sight Glass

There are many types of liquid level indicators, including transparent level indicator, reflex level indicator, and magnetic level indicator. A magnetic liquid level indicator is often used in applications and situations where a glass sight gauge is unsafe, difficult to use, unreadable, or environmentally risky.


Advantages of Using Magnetic Level Indicator

The common disadvantages of using sight glass gauges include the following:
Extreme temperature, high pressures, and toxic or corrosive materials may result to acquiring a risk of fugitive emission of dangerous substances.
Some chemical materials within a process vessel or storage tank can attack the glass, causing discoloration of the sight gauge and decrease level visibility.
Liquid-liquid interfaces can be very difficult to read in a sight glass, particularly if the fluids are of similar color. Clear liquids, in addition, are also difficult to see in a sight glass.

Thus, when you are trying to measure liquid levels, including toxic and corrosive substances, in high pressures or extreme temperature, a magnetic level indicator is your best bet. The major reasons for selecting a magnetic level indicator over a sight glass include improved safety, reduced maintenance, increased visibility, easier initial installation, easier addition of transmitters and switches, and lower long-term cost of ownership

Safety and Maintenance

The obvious safety advantage of using magnetic liquid level indicator is reduced chance ofbreakage compared to sight glasses. If the process fluid is under extreme pressures or temperatures, the likelihood of sight glass breakage increases. The pressure boundary of the former, on the other hand, ismade of robust metal, frequently the same as the vessel piping, making it as safe and strong as the vessel. The indicators, transmitters, and switches are allmounted externally and, therefore, are unaffected by toxicity, corrosiveness, orother process fluid characteristics.

Magnetic level indicators are virtually maintenance free once installed, because the indicator never touches the process fluid. With sight glasses, the gauges must be periodicallychecked for leaks and leaned. Scale and build-up on the glass from the process fluid can cause the sight glass to become unreadable. For more information about magnetic liquid level indicator, visit http://questtecsolutions.com/liquid-level-indicators.

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

The History of Quest Tec Solutions


Quest-Tec Solutions is a young company with a long lineage of quality, experience and care. The development and engineering of the liquid level gage and valve product lines began more than forty years ago. We carry a full line of magnetic level gauges and magnetic level indicators, steam level indicators, and liquid level indicators.

What to Look for in a Level Gauge?


Check out some of the specifications to look for in a level gauge. Visit Quest Tec Solutions now!