Conductivity Measurement for Power Plant Water Cycles
The Endress+Hauser Condumax CLS12 is an analog conductivity sensor developed specifically for steam and water cycles in power plants. Its conductive measuring principle is optimized for low-conductivity water, making it suitable for monitoring water quality where small changes in conductivity can indicate contamination or changes in process conditions.
Typical applications include condensate monitoring, boiler feedwater monitoring and boiler blowdown control. The sensor can also be applied to other low-conductivity liquids where elevated temperatures and pressures are present.
Designed for Low Conductivity Measurement
The CLS12 uses a two-electrode conductive measuring cell with polished stainless steel electrodes. Two cell constants are available: k=0.01 for 0–20 μS/cm and k=0.1 for 0–200 μS/cm. This allows the sensor to cover different low-conductivity measurement requirements without changing the basic measuring principle.
The large coaxially arranged electrodes allow fast flow of the measured medium through the cell. This construction is particularly suited to clean water applications where stable and representative conductivity measurement is required.
Built for High-Temperature Applications
The CLS12 is designed for process temperatures from -30 to +160°C, making it suitable for demanding thermal conditions encountered in power plant water and steam systems.
For pressure, the sensor supports up to 40 bar at temperatures up to 100°C without the CLA751 flow chamber. When used with the CLA751 flow chamber, the specified maximum is 12 bar at temperatures up to 150°C. These conditions should be considered together with the selected installation and process arrangement.
Integrated Temperature Measurement
An integrated Pt100 temperature sensor provides temperature measurement alongside conductivity. This is important because conductivity is temperature-dependent, allowing the measuring system to take process temperature into account when evaluating conductivity.
Robust Stainless Steel Construction
The CLS12 uses polished stainless steel electrodes with a stainless steel sensor construction designed for demanding industrial environments. Endress+Hauser also highlights the removable outer electrode, which makes cleaning easier and helps simplify maintenance.
The electrode diameter is 25 mm, with an immersion depth ranging from 50 to 115 mm, depending on the configuration.
Suitable for Hazardous Areas
The CLS12 is available with international explosion protection approvals, including ATEX and FM, depending on the selected configuration. This allows the sensor to be considered for applicable hazardous-area installations in the power and process industries.
Calibration Certificate with Individual Cell Constant
Each sensor can be supplied with a quality/calibration certificate stating the individual cell constant. This is particularly useful for low-conductivity measurement, where accurate knowledge of the actual cell constant is important for reliable measurement results.
Simple Integration into the Measuring Point
The CLS12 uses G1" or NPT1" process connections and has a fixed cable connection to the transmitter. Its IP67 ingress protection supports installation in demanding industrial environments.
Key Features
Product type: Analog conductivity sensor
Measuring principle: Conductive, 2-electrode
Designed for low-conductivity measurement
Suitable for power plant steam/water cycles
Measuring range 0–20 μS/cm with k=0.01
Measuring range 0–200 μS/cm with k=0.1
Process temperature -30 to +160°C
Process pressure up to 40 bar at 100°C without CLA751
Integrated Pt100 temperature sensor
Polished stainless steel electrodes
Large coaxially arranged electrodes
Removable outer electrode for easier cleaning
Electrode diameter 25 mm
Immersion depth 50–115 mm
G1" and NPT1" process connections
IP67 protection
ATEX and FM hazardous-area approvals available depending on configuration
Calibration certificate with individual cell constant
Designed for condensate, boiler feedwater and boiler blowdown applications
Typical Applications
Condensate Monitoring
The CLS12 can be used to monitor the conductivity of condensate in power plant steam/water cycles. Low-conductivity monitoring can help identify changes in water quality and process conditions.
Boiler Feedwater Monitoring
In boiler feedwater systems, conductivity measurement provides an indication of water quality and can support monitoring of the water entering the boiler.
Boiler Blowdown Control
The sensor can be used for conductivity monitoring associated with boiler blowdown control, helping maintain the required water quality within the boiler system.
Steam and Water Cycle Monitoring
The CLS12 is specifically designed for conductivity measurement in power plant steam/water cycles, where elevated temperature, pressure and low conductivity create demanding measurement conditions.
Pure and Ultrapure Water
The two-electrode cell is designed for low-conductivity applications involving pure and ultrapure water, making the CLS12 suitable for water-quality monitoring where conductivity values are relatively low.
High-Temperature Low-Conductivity Processes
Beyond power generation, the CLS12 can be considered for other applications requiring conductivity measurement of low-conductivity liquids under elevated temperature and pressure conditions.
FAQ
What is the Endress+Hauser CLS12?
The Condumax CLS12 is an analog two-electrode conductivity sensor designed primarily for low-conductivity measurement in high-temperature applications, particularly steam/water cycles in power plants.
What does the CLS12 measure?
The CLS12 measures electrical conductivity of liquids. It is optimized for low-conductivity applications, with available measuring ranges of 0–20 μS/cm and 0–200 μS/cm depending on the cell constant.
What is the difference between the two measuring ranges?
The CLS12 is available with two cell constants. k=0.01 covers 0–20 μS/cm, while k=0.1 covers 0–200 μS/cm. The appropriate configuration depends on the expected conductivity range of the application.
Can the CLS12 measure temperature?
Yes. The CLS12 includes an integrated Pt100 temperature sensor, allowing temperature to be measured together with conductivity.
What is the maximum process temperature?
The specified process temperature range is -30 to +160°C.
What is the maximum process pressure?
The CLS12 can withstand up to 40 bar at temperatures up to 100°C without the CLA751 flow chamber. When used with the CLA751 flow chamber, Endress+Hauser specifies up to 12 bar at 150°C.
Is the CLS12 suitable for power plants?
Yes. Power plant applications are a primary use case for the CLS12, including condensate monitoring, boiler feedwater monitoring and boiler blowdown control.
Is the CLS12 suitable for hazardous areas?
Yes. Endress+Hauser lists hazardous-area approvals including ATEX and FM for applicable configurations. The exact approval depends on the selected version and order code.
What material are the electrodes made from?
The electrodes are made from stainless steel 1.4571, with PEEK/EPDM sealing materials specified by Endress+Hauser.
Is the CLS12 a digital Memosens sensor?
No. The CLS12 is an analog conductivity sensor using a two-electrode conductive cell. It should not be confused with Endress+Hauser's digital Memosens conductivity sensors.
Does the CLS12 come with a calibration certificate?
Yes. Endress+Hauser specifies a calibration/quality certificate stating the individual cell constant, which is useful for accurate low-conductivity measurement.
