Learn more about the unique features of each Rosemount Guided Wave Radar Level Transmitters
Increase Safety and Optimize Your Processes with Radar Level Measurement
Guided Wave Radar Level Transmitters utilize microwave technology to measure continuous level and interface level of liquids, solids, and slurries. Emerson’s market-leading portfolio offers accurate, reliable, safe and cost-effective level measurement, even in the most challenging process conditions. Powerful onboard diagnostics give insight into device health and signal quality, giving you peace of mind your process is under control.
Products
Improved Signal Strength with Direct Switch Technology
Emerson's patented Direct Switch Technology is a unique feature in Rosemount Guided Wave Radar Sensors that enhances signal strength for more reliable and robust measurements, even in applications with tough process conditions such as turbulence, vapor or foam.
A significantly stronger signal translates into a more user-friendly device with greater application flexibility. It also enables the use of low maintenance single lead probes instead of the more common higher maintenance coaxial probes.
Key benefits of Rosemount Guided Wave Radars
Technology Explanation
Guided wave radars use microwave technology to measure level. The device sends a microwave pulse down a probe and, when the pulse hits the material, a large part of the energy reflects up to the device. The level is determined by the time it takes for this reflection to happen. If the pulse keeps traveling further, it can also detect other layers.
Enhanced Functionalities
Rosemount Guided Wave Radars offer enhanced functionalities and powerful diagnostics to enable proactive maintenance and avoid unplanned shutdowns:
- Signal Quality Metrics
- Dynamic Vapor Compensation for steamy applications (optional feature)
- Verification reflector for remote proof-testing (optional feature)
- Ultra-thin layer detection through Peak-in-Peak technology (optional feature)
Consistent Performance
Thanks to Probe End Projection technology, guided wave radars can handle applications where the dielectric constant is very low and over very long ranges without any problem.
Probe End Projection helps guided wave radars to calculate the signal when the signal is degraded, and by knowing the exact length of the probe, it is possible to use the reflection from the probe end to calculate the level.
Wireless Communication
When you need to automate level measurements economically, and in locations that are remote or hard to get to, the Rosemount 3308 Wireless Level Transmitter provides the solution.
Remote areas, physical obstructions, high engineering costs, and integrating new technologies are no longer barriers to reliable level measurement.
Probes
Guided wave radars use either a single lead, twin lead or coaxial probe. They can be flexible, rigid, segmented and are available in many types of material to fit most applications.
The single lead probe is a perfect fit for highly viscous, thick or dirty media, and it is resistant to build-up. Coaxial probes are suitable when you have disturbing objects, turbulence, tall and narrow nozzles or bottle neck shaped cages, for instance. A twin lead probe is good for viscous media.
Guided Wave Radar Comparison
Rosemount 5300 Guided Wave Radar
The Rosemount 5300 is ideal for level measurement in challenging applications with liquids, slurries, solids or interface, offering reliability and safety features to help improve process efficiency and optimize your plant’s performance.
Measurement Accuracy: ± 0.12 in. (3 mm)
Process Temperature: -320 to 752 °F (-196 to 400 °C)
Pressure Limits: Full vacuum to 5000 psi (Full vacuum to 345 bar)
Advanced Features: Direct Switch Technology, Signal Quality Metrics, Probe End Projection, Verification reflector SIL 2 IEC 61508 certification
Probe Types: Rigid single lead, Segmented single lead, Flexible single lead, Rigid twin lead, Coaxial and large coaxial, PTFE coated probes, Vapor probe
Rosemount 3308 Wireless Level Transmitter
The Rosemount 3308 offers easy automation of level and interface measurements in previously inaccessible locations. It offers easy installation without wires, no calibration and it’s immune to changing process conditions.
Measurement Accuracy: ± 0.12 in. (3 mm)
Process Temperature: -40 to 302°F (-40 to 150°C)
Pressure Limits: Full vacuum to 580 psi (Full vacuum to 40 bar)
Advanced Features: Direct Switch Technology, Signal Quality Metrics, Native Wireless Technology
Probe Types: Rigid single lead, Segmented single lead, Flexible single lead, Coaxial, PTFE coated probes
Rosemount 3300 Guided Wave Radar
The Rosemount 3300 provides a reliable and cost effective solution for liquid applications. The Rosemount 3300 has no moving parts, needs no calibration, and is virtually unaffected by process conditions.
Measurement Accuracy: ± ± 0.2 in. (5 mm)
Process Temperature: -40 to 302°F (-40 to 150°C)
Pressure Limits: Full vacuum to 580 psi (Full vacuum to 40 bar)
Probe Types: Rigid single lead, Segmented single lead, Flexible single lead, Coaxial, PTFE coated probes
Resources
Learn why users trust the Rosemount 5300 Level Transmitter
Verification Reflector Technology in Guided Wave Radars - How it Works
Replacing Displacers with Guided Wave Level Transmitters
Explore the Level Measurement Product Range for Solids Applications
See How a Power Plant Achieved Reliable Boiler a Drum Level Control
Learn How a Food Manufacturer Reduces Operations Costs and Improves Availability
See How a Gas Storage Company Solved Maintenance and Safety
Frequently Asked Questions
The principle of operation for guided wave radar is based on Time Domain Reflectometry technology, which means that the transmitter sends out radar pulses. The actual level measurement is a function of the time taken from when the electromagnetic signal is emitted to the time at which the echo from the media is received.
Guided wave radar is a preferable choice for the majority of challenging chamber applications and processes where there is a need to measure level interface and/or level as well. Applications such as lube oil feed tanks, different types of separators, columns, trays, and boiler drums can benefit from guided wave radar technology.
Rosemount guided wave radar don’t have any moving parts, so there is no need for calibration or compensation for changing process conditions such as density for displacers or conductivity, viscosity, pH, temperature, and pressure for other level measurement techniques. Thanks to this, customers can eliminate unplanned shutdowns, risks, and save money in maintenance costs.
Guided wave radar transmitters can be tested by performing a full or partial proof test from the control room. These tests simulate a process condition to trigger a high-level alarm and checks if the signal is correctly received by the host system.
Guided Wave Radar (GWR) uses contacting measurement, where part of the measurement system is in direct contact with the contents in the vessel. In a guided wave radar installation, the guided wave radar is mounted on the top of the tank or chamber, and the probe usually extends to the full depth of the vessel.
Advantages of guided wave radars:
Accurate and reliable measurement for both level and interface
Can be used with liquids, sludges, slurries, and some solids.
Not affected by changes in pressure, temperature, and most vapor space conditions
No moving parts, so maintenance is minimal.
Limitations of guided wave radars:
Mounting restrictions influence the probe choice
Should not be in direct contact with a metallic object, as that will impact the signal
Non-Contacting Radar (NCR) uses non-contacting measurement, and no part of the measurement system directly contacts the contents of the vessel.
Advantages of non-contacting radars:
Accurate and reliable measurement for both level and interface
Can be used with liquids, sludges, slurries, and some solids.
Not affected by changes in pressure, temperature, and most vapor space conditions
No moving parts, so maintenance is minimal.
Limitations of non-contacting radars:
Obstructions in the tank, such as pipes, strengthening bars, and agitators can cause false echoes, but Rosemount Non-Contacting radar level transmitters feature Smart Echo Supervision™, which automatically suppresses the false echoes generated by internal obstructions.
Non-contacting radar gauges can handle agitation, but their success will depend on a combination of the fluid properties and the amount of turbulence.
Dielectric constant (DC) of the medium and the surface conditions will impact the measurement.
The measurement may be influenced by the presence of foam.