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GWR As RLI For Boiler Drum Level

This document summarizes guided wave radar for monitoring steam boiler water levels. It describes how guided wave radar works using microwaves and time domain reflectometry to track stainless steel rods and compensate for slower microwave speeds in steam. It discusses potential errors from vapor density differences and how Quest-Tec's density correction control unit can correct for this. The document also outlines probe types, lengths, and installation considerations to minimize errors. Basic code requirements are provided that steam boilers over 400 PSI must have two independent level measurement methods like guided wave radar in addition to a gage glass.

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Roger Seaver
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65 views14 pages

GWR As RLI For Boiler Drum Level

This document summarizes guided wave radar for monitoring steam boiler water levels. It describes how guided wave radar works using microwaves and time domain reflectometry to track stainless steel rods and compensate for slower microwave speeds in steam. It discusses potential errors from vapor density differences and how Quest-Tec's density correction control unit can correct for this. The document also outlines probe types, lengths, and installation considerations to minimize errors. Basic code requirements are provided that steam boilers over 400 PSI must have two independent level measurement methods like guided wave radar in addition to a gage glass.

Uploaded by

Roger Seaver
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
Download as pdf or txt
Download as pdf or txt
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Guided Wave Radar in Steam Boiler Service

What is a Guided Wave?

• Microwave Burst Tracks a SS Rod


• Time Domain Reflectometer (TDR)
What is a Gas Phase Compensation?
• Microwaves Travel Slower thru Steam
• Higher Pressure, Slower Speed
• Reference Point
• Calculates a Dynamic Compensation

It is NOT Density Error!

Video
What is the Error Potential?

Error is applied to increase the measurement of the vapor phase


Net Effect: Water appears lower than it is
Roughing Considerations

1. Probes have a significant upper blind spot


1. Need 18” for Gas Phase Compensation
2. Lower Blind spot
1. Quest-Tec Recommends allowing 4”
2. The last couple of inches have reduced accuracy.
Probe Types

XXX
Bare Probe Coax Probe
Wave will ignore irregularities
on the column wall.

Cost is nominal for the


benefit.
Probe Lengths

1. Probes Lengths on Steam Drums are Relatively short


2. Probe length cost is nominal
3. Quest-Tec Recommends a probe length long enough to measure the full range
between column centers – Even with a reduced range Requirement
The Problem of Density Error
• Density error is caused
by lower temperature in
the bypass chamber

• Although the GWR Is


accurate, the error
would be passed along.
Density Error
The Quest-Tec Solution 14-30 VDC
From Power Supply

Quest-Tec Density Corrected


Correction 4-20 mA
Control Unit Return
4-20 mA Return
(Patent Pending)

Steam Temp

Density Error

Water Temp

• Temperature is Input
• Densities are Calculated
• Signal is Corrected
Control Unit Considerations:
• 16-30 VDC from DCS or the Control Unit?
• Display – Discrete, Continuous Display is Required
– Quantity of Remote Displays, Location
– Local Display
– Quantity of Points, 10, 14, 18, More Coming
• Display Calibration – Faceplate Marking
• Display Signal Transmission-RS485 Standard
– Fiber Optic Option
– Multiplexer Option HP, IP and LP on same Cable
– Wireless Option Recommended as Auxilliary only

-
Basic Code Requirement:
Basic Code Requirement, Condensed:
In Nut Shell
≤ 400 PSI – At least One Gage Glass

>400 PSI – Two Gage Glasses


or
Two Independent Remote Level Gages, and
One Gage Glass, which may be isolated
More Detailed, Oft missed, Code Requirements:
 Thank You For the Attention!

 (Which we crave!)

 Questions?

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