Differential Pressure Measurement with the D3 Assures Product Quality and Efficiency

Once the manufacturing process is complete, the freshly brewed beer is transferred to pressure storage vessels for final maturation. In the pressure tanks used for this purpose, the beer is tem-porarily stored at over 1 bar, carbonated, and kept at this pressure until bottling. Due to these requirements, only a hydrostatic measuring principle with differential pressure measurement can achieve high-precision level monitoring.

After pressure gauges in several tanks failed, the production management decided to replace the sensor technology. They ultimately chose the D3 sensor from Anderson-Negele. With integrated tank linearization, the five D3 sensors could be preset for the three different tank configurations before installation. They were then easily programmed and put into operation through simple calibration.

The D3 differential pressure sensor features state-of-the-art technology for precise level detection. It registers the values from the pressure transducer mounted in the tank bottom and another pressure transducer mounted in the head area. The sensor instantly converts this data into output values in volume or mass. Data collection and transmission occur en-tirely electronically, eliminating the need for complicated installation and adjustment typically associated with capillary systems.

In addition, the D3 is already equipped with integrated tank linearization. In the case of Glückauf, the brewery provided drawings of the three vessel formats in advance, allowing the sensors to be programmed prior to installation. The D3 sen-sors are available with various process connections, enabling seamless integration without requiring vessel modifications. Even for direct display in the adjacent control cabinet, the DPM (Differential Pressure Measurement) proved to be a suitable solution. Consequently, the entire installation and setup of the instrumentation technology were simplified to a straightforward process of “screw it in, connect it, done.”

• The D3 differential pressure sensor uses electronic technology, without a capillary, and outputs the level with a measurement accuracy of ±0.15 % and a response time of < 0.2 seconds.
• Individual sensor calibration can be swiftly and effort-lessly performed through metering.
• Due to suitable process connections for the sensor and the digital display, the installation was possible without any technical modifications.

Advantages of level control by differential pressure measurement with D3 differential pressure sensor

• High-precision hydrostatic level measurement in pressurized tanks
• Differential pressure measurement with media up to 110°C (230°F); CIP/SIP cleaning up to 135°C (275°F) for max. 60 min.
• Measuring range -1...35 bar (-14.7...500 PSI)
• Two analog outputs for parallel transmission of level (differential pressure) and head pressure
• Measuring accuracy +/- 0.15% of calibrated measuring range, reproducibility 0.05%, temperature effect (drift) < 0.03% per 10°C
• Response time < 0.2 seconds
• Volume/mass output selectable (kg, l, %)
• Modular design: individual configuration and easy replacement of components
• Variants: Head unit with sensor and one separate pressure stem or head unit without sensor with two separate pressure stems