Radiometric Level Measurement Without Process Contact
The FIBERTRAC 31 uses radiation-based measurement to determine the level of material inside a vessel without placing the sensor in direct contact with the process medium. This makes the measuring principle suitable for demanding applications where conventional level instruments may be exposed to harsh process conditions.
VEGA describes radiometric measurement as a non-contact principle in which radiation passing through the vessel is attenuated by the process material, allowing the detector to determine the corresponding level.
Flexible Detector for Round and Conical Vessels
The FIBERTRAC 31 uses a thin, flexible plastic scintillator that can be adapted to the shape of round vessels and vessels with conical outlets. This makes installation more practical on curved vessel surfaces compared with rigid detector arrangements.
The flexible detector is one of the defining characteristics of the FIBERTRAC 31 and allows the sensor to follow the vessel geometry while maintaining the required measurement path.
Suitable for Liquids and Bulk Solids
The FIBERTRAC 31 is designed for continuous level measurement of a wide range of process materials, including liquids, solids, slurries and suspensions.
This allows the same measurement principle to be applied across applications where the medium may be aggressive, abrasive, difficult to handle or otherwise unsuitable for direct-contact instrumentation.
Measuring Range Up to 7 m
A single FIBERTRAC 31 detector can provide a measuring range of up to 7 m. VEGA specifies a current accuracy of ±0.5%, making the sensor suitable for continuous level measurement in larger process vessels and storage equipment.
External Installation for Difficult Process Conditions
The detector is mounted externally on the vessel using supplied mounting brackets. Since there are no wetted parts, the sensor itself does not come into contact with the process medium.
VEGA's radiometric measurement system is specifically designed for applications where measurement needs to remain independent of the process material's temperature, pressure or aggressiveness.
Measurement in Extreme Process Environments
The FIBERTRAC 31 is particularly useful when conventional level sensors face difficult process conditions. Applications can include processes with high temperatures, aggressive products, critical product properties or challenging vessel geometries.
For example, VEGA identifies reboilers as an application where the FIBERTRAC 31 provides non-contact level measurement that is unaffected by process temperature.
Flexible Signal and Communication Options
Depending on the selected configuration, the FIBERTRAC 31 is available with 4–20 mA/HART, Profibus PA or Foundation Fieldbus. Configuration and adjustment can be performed using PLICSCOM, PACTware/DTM, HART communication tools, compatible software or Bluetooth.
Designed for Industrial and Hazardous-Area Applications
The FIBERTRAC 31 is available with a range of international approvals depending on configuration, including ATEX, FM, CSA, IEC, NEPSI, INMETRO and other regional approvals. Explosion protection options include intrinsic safety, flameproof enclosure and dust ignition protection, while SIL2 and WHG configurations are also available depending on the selected version.
Key Features
- Product type: Radiometric level sensor
- Continuous, non-contact level measurement
- Suitable for liquids, bulk solids, slurries and suspensions
- Flexible plastic scintillator detector
- Designed for round and conical vessels
- Measuring range up to 7 m with a single detector
- Accuracy ±0.5%
- No wetted parts
- External mounting on the vessel
- Measurement largely independent of process temperature, pressure and product aggressiveness
- Suitable for demanding and extreme process conditions
- 4–20 mA/HART output available
- Profibus PA and Foundation Fieldbus versions available depending on configuration
- Bluetooth adjustment available
- IP66/IP67 protection
- Aluminium or stainless-steel precision-cast housing
- ATEX, FM, CSA, IEC, NEPSI and other approvals depending on configuration
- SIL2 and WHG options available depending on configuration
Typical Applications
Reboilers and High-Temperature Processes
The FIBERTRAC 31 can be used for level measurement in reboilers and similar process equipment where high temperatures make direct-contact measurement challenging. Its external, non-contact measurement principle avoids direct exposure of the detector to the process medium.
Chemical and Petrochemical Processes
Radiometric level measurement can be used in chemical and refining applications involving aggressive media, difficult process conditions or vessels where conventional sensors are difficult to install.
Distillation Columns
The FIBERTRAC 31 can form part of level measurement systems for distillation equipment where the process conditions make conventional instrumentation difficult to apply. VEGA lists distillation columns among its radiation-based measurement applications.
Coke Drums
Radiometric measurement can be used for level measurement in coke drums, where extreme temperatures and demanding process conditions can make contact measurement difficult. VEGA specifically lists coke drums as an application for its radiation-based measurement technology.
Slurries and Suspensions
The non-contact measurement principle makes the FIBERTRAC 31 suitable for liquids containing suspended solids or other process materials that can make conventional contact sensors prone to contamination or wear.
Bulk Solids
The sensor can continuously measure bulk solids where a non-contact measurement principle is required and the vessel geometry is suitable for the flexible detector.
Large or Curved Vessels
The flexible detector is particularly useful on round vessels and vessels with conical outlets because it can be adapted to the vessel shape rather than requiring a rigid detector geometry.
FAQ
What is the VEGA FIBERTRAC 31?
The FIBERTRAC 31 is a radiometric sensor for continuous level measurement. It uses a flexible detector mounted externally on the vessel to measure the level of liquids and bulk solids without direct contact with the process medium.
What materials can the FIBERTRAC 31 measure?
The FIBERTRAC 31 is suitable for liquids, solids, slurries and suspensions. The radiation-based measuring principle does not require the detector to contact the measured material.
What is the maximum measuring range?
VEGA specifies a measuring range of up to 7 m with a single detector.
What is the accuracy of the FIBERTRAC 31?
The current VEGA product page specifies an accuracy of ±0.5%.
Does the FIBERTRAC 31 contact the process medium?
No. The detector is mounted externally on the vessel, and VEGA specifies no wetted parts for the sensor.
Why use radiometric level measurement instead of a conventional level sensor?
Radiometric measurement can be useful when the process has extreme temperatures, aggressive media, difficult material properties or other conditions that make direct-contact measurement challenging. The measuring system can be installed externally on the vessel.
Can the FIBERTRAC 31 be used on curved vessels?
Yes. The flexible detector is specifically designed for round vessels and vessels with conical outlets, allowing it to follow the vessel geometry.
What communication options are available?
Depending on configuration, the FIBERTRAC 31 is available with 4–20 mA/HART, Profibus PA or Foundation Fieldbus. Bluetooth is also available for adjustment depending on the selected configuration.
What is the ambient temperature range?
The current VEGA product page lists an ambient temperature range of -20 to +50°C. Extended ranges may be available depending on the configuration.
Can the FIBERTRAC 31 be used in hazardous areas?
Yes. VEGA lists multiple hazardous-area and regional approvals, including ATEX, FM, CSA, IEC and NEPSI, depending on configuration. The exact approval should be confirmed against the selected order code.
Is the FIBERTRAC 31 suitable for high-temperature processes?
Yes. Because the detector is mounted externally and the measurement is non-contact, the measuring principle can be used for processes with extreme temperatures. The actual installation must account for the selected configuration and any required cooling arrangement.
