The "ultimate sophistication" in level!

AMETEK Magnetrol’s new Pulsar Model R80 radar level transmitter exemplifies the famous line: “simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” Building upon the company's leading radar technology portfolio, Magnetrol now offers an 80 GHz radar transmitter for the industrial market.

FMCW technology and an 80 GHz operating frequency allow for superior performance, smaller antennas, better accuracy, and enhanced resolution. Additionally, Magnetrol’s configuration wizards and proactive diagnostics make commissioning and troubleshooting easier than ever. As is typical with Magnetrol loop-powered devices, the transmitter housing may be separated from the antenna without disrupting the process seal.

As for applications, the Model R80 is minimally affected by turbulence, foam, or excessive vapors as is often the case with ultrasonic transmitters and some radar products. The smaller antennas and narrower beam angles allow it to be installed into vessels with smaller process connections and those with internal obstructions that must be avoided.

Some highlights of the new Model R80: 80 GHz signal with beam angles as narrow as 4 degrees Process connections down to ¾ inch NPT Measuring range of 30 meters (100 feet) Software wizards to walk a new user through the commissioning process Proactive diagnostics to not only advise what the problem is but also offers troubleshooting tips Replaceable transmitter head without breaking the process seal (i.e., pressure boundary) SIL 2 compliant with 92.3% SFF Global hazardous location approvals FCC, ETSI, and ISED communications approvals for use on both indoor and outdoor vessels

@MagnetrolGlobal @AMETEKInc #PAuto 

Non-contact radar transmitter.

Magnetrol International has launched the PULSAR Model R86 Non-Contact Radar transmitter, an advanced level control solution that offers radar technology with improved performance for a wide range of level measurement applications.

The PULSAR Model R86 is designed to provide outstanding accuracy, reliability and safety for virtually all process industries.

Features include:

• Improved Performance: The 26GHz radar signal has a smaller wavelength, resulting in smaller antennas and improved 1mm resolution. This is an important distinction for demanding process conditions because the smaller beam angle allows for installation into process connections as small as 1½”. As a result, The PULSAR Model R86 assures precise, dependable control for a complete spectrum of level applications.
• Advanced Diagnostics: The user interface experience of the PULSAR Model R86 is driven by advanced diagnostics that transforms the way that radar level measurement is used. Automated echo capture conveys real-time waveform and trend data so users can assess the situation at a glance. In addition, the event history shows up to 20 events including diagnostic and configuration data to pinpoint any issues. Troubleshooting tips are also given to provide practical solutions that can help companies reduce downtime.
• True Versatility: The PULSAR Model R86 uses circular polarization, which means there’s no need to rotate the antenna to ensure proper orientation. This simplifies installation and delivers proper alignment in virtually every application. High Temperature antennas are designed for use in extremely demanding applications and punishing conditions up to 400oC (750oF). There are also nozzle extensions ranging from 10 cm to 1.8 meters (4” to 72”). That means nonstandard nozzle lengths and buried vessel standpipes are not an issue for this advanced solution.

The PULSAR R86 introduction is the latest radar innovation from the company that introduced the very first 2-wire, loop-powered guided wave radar transmitter for industrial liquid level applications.

@MagnetrolGlobal #PAuto

True pioneering automation professionals honoured!

FCI Co-founders, Robert Deane and Malcolm McQueen along with the late Judy Stevenson of Magnetrol  were inducted into the Measurement, Control and Automation Hall of Fame during the MCAA Industry Forum last month in Atlanta.

Peter Martin, Chairman of MCAA and Vice President of Strategic Ventures at Schneider Electric introduced the honorees. Martin reminded the audience that 30-40 years ago our industry was focused on measurement and control instrumentation. Then the digital computer shifted the focus from measurement and control to the automation platform so that while there was still instrumentation, a lot of people were getting recognized for their work in automation based on the platform. However, he noted value doesn’t come from the platform: measurement and control instrumentation improve functionality in plants that drive profitability and, in fact, no one drives profitability more than our industry. Two years ago, the MCAA Board decided to recognize leaders in our industry that drive the value for our clients.

The Hall of Fame recognizes individuals whose body of work has contributed to the instrumentation and control industry in a significant and memorable way either through technical achievements, business accomplishments or industry leadership. Robert Deane, Malcolm McQueen and Judy Stevenson (posthumous) now join Gordon Arnold of Sierra Monitor, Wade Mattar of Schneider Electric/Foxboro and Dick Morley, all inducted in 2016.

Bob Deane

Bob Deane

Raised in Massachusetts, Bob Deane graduated from the Allen School of Aeronautics in Rhode Island and moved to California in 1954. There he worked in the aerospace and defense industries. Together with Malcolm (Mac) McQueen he founded Fluid Components International in 1964. He is the holder of three patents including the original thermal flow switch patent which helped launch FCI as a business. He also holds patents covering improvements to the thermal switch and a liquid-to-gas phase change detector. In the 1970’s FCI developed an air-to-gas flowmeter based on thermal dispersion technology. The company started a nuclear division in 1978 to deliver level, flow and temperature measurement to the nuclear power industry. He retired from FCI in 1995 but continues to work closely with the FCI engineers on specialized projects such as flow instrument applications and proprietary sensor packaging designs.

Malcolm McQueen

Mac McQueen

Malcolm ‘Mac’ McQueen received his Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). His early career was spent as a design engineer in the aerospace industry. It was then that he met Bob Deane who was working as an instrument sales representative. McQueen holds over 19 US and international patents involving flow applications. FCI has received the Control Global magazine Reader’s Choice award for thermal flowmeters and flow switches for the past 25 consecutive years. Although he retired in 1995, he has served as FCI Chairman Emeritus since 2000. Always an active philanthropist, he supported the YMCA and Boys and Girls Club. He was named Man of the Year by the San Marcos, California Chamber of Commerce and created a park behind the FCI plant for community events. In 2014 he established the Malcolm Murdoch McQueen Scholarship Fund for students pursuing a career in instrument engineering.

Mac McQueen accepted the honor on behalf of himself and his partner, Bob Deane who was unable to travel to the meeting. In his acceptance he noted that it was the confluence of a solid technology and trusting partnership that has made FCI a successful organization for the past 53 years. He called thermal dispersion mass flow measurement “seductively simple yet beguilingly complex”. He was proud to note the children (including his son, Dan McQueen, current President of FCI) have successfully taken over ownership and management of the company for over 20 years, and that the third generation is beginning to show interest. According to McQueen, FCI will continue to be a family owned operation for the foreseeable future.

Judy Stevenson

The Late Judy Stevenson

Judy Stevenson was inducted into the Hall of Fame posthumously. A family rule of “you must play the piano” led to her enrollment in piano lessons at North Central College. Her musical career was brilliant and she devoted herself to the clarinet, cello, chorus, band and orchestra while attending Naperville Community High School and continuing to North Central College where she studied voice and piano. She sang for two years with the Robert Shaw Chorale and performed with the Chicago Lyric Opera. But this was not the life-direction Judy Stevenson took. In 1964 she joined Magnetrol (then Schaub Engineering Company) as a part-time bookkeeper. In her first year of employment, she rose to accounting supervisor, then to accounting manager a year later. In 1967 she was elected treasurer and administrative vice president. She became president of the company in 1975 and in 1978–14 years after beginning in a part-time clerical position–Judy bought the company. Under her leadership, Magnetrol prospered due to an aggressive commitment to research and development, new products, new technologies, training and progressive and creative thinking. Today Magnetrol is a multi-million dollar company with over 800 associates in offices and manufacturing facilities worldwide. The company also attributes its success to its people-oriented culture and strong emphasis on the family–a reflection on Judy’s own beliefs. Judy established and endowed 11 college scholarships, six of which are awarded annually to the children of Magnetrol associates. She supported numerous local community programs and charities. Judy died at the age of 72 in 2010.

Craig Carroll, Vice President Sales - Americas for Magnetrol International, accepted the award on Ms. Stevenson’s behalf. He indicated that Judy’s story and the story of Magnetrol is one of passion, drive, commitment and determination. Judy sought and assumed leadership for what she could do for others. A well known philanthropist, there are many stories of how she applied personal attention to the people within her organization. She created a culture within the Magnetrol family of companies of ‘People come first’. She truly believed that people were the greatest asset of her organization.

• MCAA provides industrial manufacturers and distributors the best community and resources for business effectiveness and growth through unsurpassed market and business insights, unique networking opportunities, effective employee onboarding and development program and unbiased, affordable market data.

@MeasControl #PAuto @FCIflow @MagnetrolGlobal

Level in high temp applications.

Magnetrol® International has announced the release of the E3 Modulevel® displacer level transmitter with an increased upper temperature rating. E3 MODULEVEL transmitters now handle process temperatures of up to +450 °C (+850 °F) for non-steam applications and +425 °C (+800 °F) for steam applications. This capability helps protect downstream equipment by providing accurate, reliable liquid and interface level control in extreme process conditions.

Using linear variable differential transformer (LVDT)/range spring technology, E3 MODULEVEL transmitters offer outstanding output stability, structural integrity and ease of use. Vertical in-line design of the transmitter results in low instrument weight and simplified installation.

@Magnetrol_Level #PAuto @MagnetrolGlobal

Optimising steam generation & condensate recovery processes for maximum profit.

Steam production can represent 10-60% of a plant’s total energy consumption depending on the industry. As a result, the steam generation cycle and supporting processes represent critical areas of opportunity for cost and performance benefits. Magnetrol International has developed the Steam Generation Cycle and Condensate Recovery Process Optimization Kit to help commercial and heavy industries identify the hidden costs that result from instrumentation poorly suited to their application in these processes. The Optimization Kit includes a white paper, video and applications guide to provide a comprehensive analysis of how a level and flow instrument’s fundamental technology, when properly matched to its application, can: Reduce fuel & energy consumption,  Improve steam quality,  Recover valuable energy & resources,  Ensure product quality,  Lower maintenance costs,  and Prevent production downtime. “Although plausible, it is rare to identify a single source of inefficiency related to poor level controls that impacts a company’s bottom line in the double digit percentile. More so than not, it is small incremental opportunities for improvement across various aspects of the steam generation cycle, condensate recovery and waste heat recovery processes that ultimately equate to substantial savings,” said Donald Hite, business development manager for Magnetrol. “Addressing these issues is analogous to stopping the seemingly innocuous, slow drip in a water faucet that over time consumes vast resources.” The Optimization Kit offers insight into the significance of maintaining proper level control and protective measures to realize potential savings in steam generation, waste heat and condensate recovery, and water treatment systems common in process industries such as power generation, pulp and paper, chemical, petroleum refining, primary metals and food processing. • Magnetrol products marketed in Ireland through Ntron @MagnetrolGlobal #PAuto

Next-generation magnetostrictive level transmitter.

The Jupiter® Model JM4 magnetostrictive level transmitter has bee launched by Magnetrol® International. The JM4 is available as a direct insertion option, as well as an external mount on any MAGNETROL magnetic level indicator (MLI) or modular instrumentation bridle. With an improved design, unparalleled performance, and a collection of new and innovative features, the JM4 provides safer, simpler, and smarter measurement in total and interface level applications.

Leading Edge Hardware and Software
The JM4 is engineered to be the smartest, most innovative magnetostrictive transmitter available. To this end, numerous enhancements have been introduced, including greater signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), a full graphic local user interface, HART 7.0 (Foundation fieldbus available), local waveform capture, and a more intuitive device type manager (DTM) allowing for remote configuration, trending, and diagnostics

Field Rotatable and Removable Transmitter Head
The JM4 is the first magnetostrictive transmitter in the industry to offer a field-removable and rotatable head. The removable head allows for simpler transmitter maintenance and troubleshooting without disrupting the process. 310° of head rotation provides users with greater accessibility to operate the JM4’s on-board graphical interface.

Smart Probe
To further enhance the removable head, the JUPITER Model JM4 also features Smart Probe technology. When any JM4 transmitter head is attached to a probe, a single push of a button imports factory configuration settings into the head, and in seconds, the transmitter is ready for operation.

Remote Mount Option
JUPITER now offers a remote mount option. Available in 3 and 12 ft lengths, the transmitter head is attached to the probe via a flexible cable to allow for easier viewing under various spatial constraints.

• Magnetrol products are marketed in Ireland by Ntron.

@Magnetrol_Level #PAuto 

Non-contacting radar (NCR) transmitter.

Magnetrol International has launched the Pulsar® Model R96 non-contacting radar (NCR) transmitter for accurate, reliable level control in process applications.

Virtually unaffected by the presence of vapors or air movement within a vessel’s free space, the two-wire, loop-powered, 6 GHz NCR transmitter measures a wide variety of liquid media in process conditions ranging from calm product surfaces and water-based media to turbulent surfaces and aggressive hydrocarbon media.

The PULSAR Model R96 offers state-of-the-technology performance, offering:

• Best-in-class signal processing for exceptional accuracy and reliability
• An extensive measurement range, from 20 meters to 40 meters
• Advanced diagnostics with automatic waveform capture
• A powerful device type manager (DTM) with industry-leading field configuration and troubleshooting capabilities
• SIL 2 Capable levels and a 92.7% SFF
• HART® and FOUNDATIONTM Fieldbus digital output

This latest NCR unit joins the company’s  Eclipse® Model 706 guided wave radar (GWR) transmitter to offer process industries a complete portfolio of advanced radar technologies for level control solutions.

• Magnetrol protucts are marketed in Ireland through Ntron. 

@MagnetrolGlobal #PAuto #Ntron

The longest working switch can win a prize!

Magnetrol® Internationalhas just announced the “Just Can’t Stop a MAGNETROL” contest to honour the hardest-working, longest-lasting level switches still in operation. Ever since the company invented and introduced the first mechanical buoyancy switches to process industries over 80 years ago, customers have counted on their exceptional reliability and performance in level control applications – even after decades of service.

Magnatrol switch owners can visit JustCantStop.Magnetrol.com between May 1, 2015 and October 31, 2015 and submit the device's age, its application and a photo to be eligible to win one of three prizes:

• 1st Place: €500 Amazon.com* gift card, plus a new MAGENTROL mechanical buoyancy switch
• 2nd Place: €300 Amazon.com* gift card
• 3rd Place: €100 Amazon.com* gift card

*Amazon.com or similar

First and second place prizes will be awarded based on the age of the unit and a description of the application in which the unit works. Third place prize will be awarded based on a random drawing of all qualified entries.

To enter the contest and for complete contest information, visit JustCantStop.Magnetrol.com.

• Magnetrol products are marketed in Ireland by Ntron.

Mass flow meter with Foundation!

The Thermatel® TA2 thermal mass flow meter with Foundation fieldbus™ digital output communications has been released by Magnetrol®. This addition signifies the growth of the TA2 and the company's commitment to continued success in flow. The TA2 with Foundation fieldbus™ offers all of the advantages of the standard TA2, such as:

• Dual gas calibration with two unique curves (EX: propane and natural gas)
• Field adjustability to install in different gas types or adjust for different gas mixes
• Calibration verification procedure provides cost savings due to decreased process downtime and unnecessary recalibrations
• Internal resettable and non-resettable totalizers
• Strong signal at low flows and low pressures with high turndown
• ISO 17025 and NIST traceable calibrations

THERMATEL TA2, in conjunction with the Eclipse® Model 706 guided wave radar, E3 Modulevel® and Orion® Enhanced Jupiter® magnetostrictive level transmitters, form the MAGNETROL fieldbus™ family.

Certificate for design!

Magnetrol® International NV, in Zele (B), has received a BREEAM® Interim Certificate for the Design Stage of its production and office facilities expansion, achieving a score of Very Good.

BREEAM is the world's foremost environmental assessment method and rating system for buildings, with over 250,000 building certifications and over a million buildings registered for assessment since its inception in 1990.

MAGNETROL regional headquarters for the EMEAI markets has been located in Zele for more than 40 years. A result of the company’s strong growth, the expansion project increases the facility footprint by more than 5,000 square meters. With ground-breaking on December 12, 2012, production facilities completed in October 2013 and office space completed in June 2014, the Zele manufacturing complex will be one of the first industrial buildings in Belgium with BREEAM certification.

“BREEAM is the world standard for best practice in sustainable building design, construction and operation and is a widely recognized measure of a building’s environmental performance,” said Jeff Swallow, CEO of MAGNETROL. “We are proud that the Zele facilities have been designed to optimize energy and water use, and minimize impacts of pollution, transport, materials and waste on the environment.”

Magnetrol Products are marketed in Ireland through Ntron!

A first for a Foundation transmitter!

Magnetrol  has released their Eclipse^® Model 706 transmitter with Foundation fieldbus™ digital output communications. This is the first guided wave radar (GWR) transmitter to pass the Fieldbus Foundation testing using the latest Foundation fieldbus interoperability test kit ITK 6.1.1.

This device offers all of the advantages of the standard 4-20 mA (HART) ECLIPSE Model 706, such as:

• Improved Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR)
• Improved diagnostics (meets NAMUR NE 107)
• Full complement of Overfill-capable probes

This new ECLIPSE Model 706 transmitter will contain the following Function Blocks: 

• (1) Resource Block (RB)
• (3) Transducer Blocks (TB)
• (8) Analog Input Blocks (AI)
• (2) PID Blocks
• (1) Arithmetic Block (AR)
• (1) Input Selector (IS)
• (1) Signal Characterizer Block (SC)
• (1) Integrator Block (IT)

With this release, a new Model 706 Foundation fieldbus™ DTM is also available on the Magnetrol website

Electromagnetic flowmeter!

Magnetrol has introduced the Polaris electromagnetic flow meter, which is capable of measuring liquids with a conductivity as low as 5 µS/cm in closed pipes. It is an accurate and repeatable flow meter that is suitable for a variety of water based and sludge flow applications.

This transmitter is backlit and rotatable with the capability of measuring forward and reverse flow rates, as well as total volume. HART® protocol allows the use of PACTwareTM for configuration and diagnostics. The sensor can be flanged or wafer style and is available with an assortment of standard liners and electrode materials.

The POLARIS transmitter is the first liquid flow meter offered by MAGNETROL, expanding the already diverse level and flow measurement portfolio that has been established over the last 80 years.

Magnetrol production facility in United Arab Emirates!

Magnetrol® International Incorporated, a leading manufacturer of level and flow process control instrumentation, has completed construction of a new Magnetrol International United Arab Emirates (MIUAE) production facility in Jebel Ali, UAE.

The new production facility will operate under the ISO 9001 umbrella of MagnetrolInternational NV. The facility features a 550m_ production floor, which will enable the company to increase its production of external chamber devices to meet the needs of customers in the Middle East.

This facility adds to the company’s existing production capacity in the USA, Belgium, Brazil and China.

MAGNETROL President and CEO Jeffrey K. Swallow presided over the grand opening of the new MIUAE facility, which took place on November 10, 2013. “This new facility, combined with the recent expansions of our U.S. headquarters and European regional headquarters, positions MAGNETROL to provide our customers with extensive, efficient process control solutions worldwide,” he said

The investment in this new production facility is another example of the company's mission to be the customer’s preferred partner in the global supply of level and flow control instrumentation.

New website & headquarters!

Magnetrol®; International has launched its new, redesigned corporate website.

It has a brand new look! "After almost a year in development, MAGNETROL is excited and proud to announce the launch of its new, revamped corporate website. Users will enjoy the improved functionality and simplified navigation. The streamlined product offering enables the company to focus to a greater degree on customer’s and representative’s needs."

This new site enables the company to more efficiently promote new products and initiatives, as well as quickly direct traffic to the content they are looking for. Additional enhancements and improvements that are on the way will be constantly reported on the new site.

Not only is its website new, so is the corporate headquarters! In August, the U.S. headquarters relocated to Aurora (IL USA). Magnetrol’s headquarters move accommodates the need for increased capacity by the company. The relocation to a new 20.530m³ facility in the Meridian Business Campus more than doubles its production capacity, while housing Magnetrol’s headquarters operation under one roof.

Also the build - out of the facility in Belgium, which houses manufacturing, sales and administration operations, will double production capacity of Magnetrol’s regional headquarters for Europe, Middle East, Africa and India markets. The expansion is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2013.

“Magnetrol’s growth represents our commitment to delivering excellent products and service, while leveraging strategic market opportunities,” said President and CEO Jeffrey K. Swallow. “Our company’s history is tied to instrumentation technology breakthroughs, and our continued success will come from remaining our customers’ preferred partner for level and flow control solutions.”

Heat rate reduction kit!

Magnetrol International, has introduced the Heat Rate Reduction Kit, aimed at helping power companies manage controllable losses through effective, accurate feedwater heater level control. The Heat Rate Reduction Kit is available for download and addresses the mission-critical need to increase the efficiency of power plants in today’s challenging economic and regulatory environment. The Heat Rate Reduction Kit, an industry first, provides solutions that will help reduce fuel expenditures, which can account for 70% to 80% of production costs, by minimising heat rate. According to Magnetrol, the potential savings represent an estimated €500,000 annually for a 500 megawatt power plant.*

Included in the Magnetrol Heat Rate Reduction Kit are several useful guides to reducing heat rate, why it is important and how the process will help reduce costs:
• Heat Rate and Feedwater Heater Level Control white paper
• Managing Heat Rate and Controllable Losses video
• Next-Generation Level Instrumentation for Heat Rate Awareness and Control special applications bulletin
• Reduce Your Heat Rate and Drive Down Fuel Costs brochure

“We created the Heat Rate Reduction Kit because we recognize the challenges power companies face today in an increasingly competitive environment and with the advent of climate change protocols and the Clean Air Act,” said Magnetrol's Product Manager Jim Homoly. “The kit explains how minimizing heat rate can help plants use energy more efficiently and save significant fuel expenditures.”

The causes of heat rate inefficiency can be due to aging level instrumentation or instrument-induced errors, which negatively impact heat rate and fuel costs, according to Homoly.

“Effectively controlling feedwater heater levels drives overall plant performance and fuel cost savings,” said Homoly.

* A 1% improvement in heat rate is worth €500,000 in annual fuel cost savings based on: Fuel cost of €1.25/million kJ, capacity factor of 85% and boiler efficiency of 88%.

• Magnetrol products are marketed in Ireland by Ntron Ltd of Navan

Partnership in solids measurement

Magnetrol International and APM Automation Solutions (Tel Aviv, IL) have completed a market-changing agreement designating Magnetrol as a global private label distributor of APM's groundbreaking bulk solids measurement technology.

The non-contact, dust penetrating bulk solids measurement technology will now be distributed around the globe through Magnetrol's numerous international offices and distribution network, a partnership that will allow both companies to significantly advance the solids measurement market.

APM’s revolutionary technology accurately measures volume of stored solid contents, by mapping multiple measurement points on the material surface and generating an accurate reading of the content, thus helping companies and factories to improve inventory management and optimize the process flow of their operations using true and reliable measurement.

"This exciting business partnership is a critical step in a changing industry that will no longer rely on simple level estimation,” says APM CEO Ofir Perl. "With Magnetrol's global business reach, APM's patented volume measurement technology will now become the standard of industry for bulk solids measurements.”

Magnetrol’s CONTOURTM product works with almost every solid and bulk powder material, such as coal, cement, sand, aggregates, fly ash, chemicals, fertilizers, food, grain and plastic pellets. In addition to bins and silos, the systems allow measuring in previously difficult-to-measure vessels or containers, such as bunkers, hoppers, pits, open bins, bulk storage rooms and warehouses.
Combining the revolutionary APM technology and Magnetrol's strength and presence in international markets will boost APM's technology presence and will allow Magnetrol to secure large segments of the bulk solids measurement market, as well as complete its product line.

”This agreement provides a unique strategic fit. APM is a company that has pioneered the application of low-frequency acoustic technology to provide a 3-dimensional map and volumetric measurement of solid material in silos and open bins, says John Heiser, vice president and COO of Magnetrol. “This novel capability from APM overcomes the limitations associated with conventional technologies in solids level applications and has the potential to revolutionize the market. Magnetrol and our channel partners offer a well-earned reputation as the level supplier of choice for the most difficult applications. A Magnetrol/APM partnership extends the range of applications that Magnetrol can solve with our customers to include very difficult solids inventory measurement, further enhancing our position as the ‘customer’s preferred partner’ for level controls.”

Expansion in Belgium

Due to its continued strong growth, Magnetrol International NV is expanding its production and office facilities in Zele (Belgium) by more than 5.000 sq meters. Completion of the building is foreseen for May 2014.

The building expansion is designed and constructed in accordance with BREEAM, the world’s leading design and assessment method for sustainable buildings. It is aiming to be one of the first industrial buildings in Belgium with BREEAM certification.

Magnetrol International NV has been located in the industrial park of Zele, Belgium for over 40 years. Magnetrol International employs more than 130 people at its Zele, Belgian facility. Over the last five years Magnetrol Belgium has been nominated four times for Trends Gazellen awards for large companies as a result of its outstanding results.

More than 95% of the Belgian production is exported to the EMEAI markets. Magnetrol is a recognized leader in providing customized solutions to its customers for level and flow measurement. Magnetrol’s primary technologies include guided wave radar, ultrasonic and thermal dispersion.

Magnetrol International NV is part of the Magnetrol International Incorporated group with headquarters near Chicago, Illinois, USA. The group is family owned and has existed for more than 80 years.

Magnetrol’s investment in its facilities is another example of its mission to be the customer’s preferred partner in the global supply of level and flow control instrumentation.

Improved level control performance

Magnetrol International has launched the ECLIPSE Model 706 guided wave radar (GWR) transmitter, a best-in-class level control solution that advances guided wave radar technology with improved performance for a wide range of level and interface control applications.

This unit is designed to provide outstanding accuracy, reliability and safety for virtually all process industries. Latest-generation features include:

Enhanced Signal Performance – 
The innovative GWR circuitry achieves both a higher transmit pulse amplitude and improved receiver sensitivity, resulting in a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) that is nearly 300% higher than competitive GWR devices. This assures precise, dependable control for every level application, including extremely low dielectric media, extended measuring ranges, and punishing conditions where foaming, boiling or flashing can occur.

Overfill Capable Probes – 
This is the only guided wave radar transmitter on the market with a complete line of overfill capable probes. Unlike other GWR transmitters that use algorithms to infer level readings in top-of-the-probe dead zones, the ECLIPSE Model 706 measures true level to within specification all the way up to the process flange. Coaxial and single rod overfill capable probes can be installed in various configurations on the vessel, even when the risk of flooding exists.

Advanced Diagnostics – 
It takes the user interface experience to new levels of convenience and functionality. The LCD diagnostics convey critical real-time waveform and trend data with outstanding ease of use.

Additionally, the instrument can be preconfigured online prior to shipment, to ensure plug-and-play transmitter commissioning and automatic capture of echo curve during upsets.

The ECLIPSE Model 706 transmitter provides safe, efficient and cost-effective liquid level and interface control, and is virtually unaffected by fluctuating process conditions including density, dielectric, viscosity and specific gravity.

SIL approval!

To what extend can a process be expected to perform safely? And in the event of a failure, to what extend can the process be expected to fail safely? These questions are answered through the assignment of a target Safety Integrity Level. SIL ratings measure the safety risk of a given process.

The higher the SIL level, the greater the impact of a failure and the lower the failure rate that is acceptable. Assigning a SIL level is thus based on the amount of risk reduction that is necessary and/or requested to maintain risk at an acceptable level.

To determine SIL in the process industry, one needs to consider the entire control loop. In order to be able to do so each device in this loop needs to have a safe failure fraction, one of the important device factors that needs to be calculated. It will be the total of all these different values that determines the obtained SIL level.

More than thirteen years ago, Magnetrol® was the first to introduce the two-wire guided wave radar to the marketplace. Now Eclipse®705 has received the exida certificate for a “SIL 3 Capable” device according to the IEC61508 : 2000 Parts 1-7. This means in practice that combining two devices in a 1oo2 set-up is in line with SIL 3 loop requirements. We like to put emphasis on” loop requirements” since it has to do with an entire installation, not only one device.

In addition to this SIL rating Magnetrol also have several agency approvals (e.g. ATEX, Lloyds, TÜV, FM/CSA,…) for Magnetrol’s Eclipse®705.

Dual functionality in a single device

Building in reliable, dual functionality remains a challenge in instrumentation, even in today’s advanced world. The Echotel® Model 962 from Magnetrol, offers two setpoints on the same transducer, a tip sensitive lower gap and a unique flow-through upper gap. This dual-gap design allows the unit to be used for low and high level alarm, high and high/high level alarm, low and low/low level alarm, or for pump control in an auto fill/empty mode.

By using the pulsed ultrasonic wave technology, the Model 962 is less sensitive to buildup, aeration, foam and turbulence. Response time is less than 0.5 seconds.

The unique feature of this unit includes adjustable time delay (up to 45 seconds) and a test button for the output signal. Other LEDs indicate proper operation and malfunction conditions; identification of the malfunction and a separate error signal are also standard. Another major advantage is that the Model 962 is not sensitive to density or liquid change and therefore does not require any calibration. Depending on the transducer the device can be used with nearly every type of liquid (maximum viscosity of 10.000 cP) in a temperature range between -80°C up to +165°C and pressures ranging from vacuum up to 130 bar.

The Model 962 is available loop-powered with a mA output or AC/DC line-powered with integrated relays.

It is designed for use in ATEX intrinsically safe as well as explosion proof areas. Its construction conforms to the Pressure Equipment Directive (PED), and, with a Safe Failure Fraction higher than 90% the Model 962 can easily be integrated in SIL 1, 2 or 3 loops.