Scaletron Industries, Plumsteadville, Penn., recently developed the "Total Electronic" system of chemical process control to help solve typical challenges and problems in working with chemicals such as liquefied chlorine, sulfur dioxide, ammonia, hydrogen chloride, carbon dioxide or other liquid or liquefied gas.
The electronic system provides scale weights and automated use reports of water treatment chemicals. The firm has been manufacturing electronic base scales for more than 15 years after receiving a patent for its 3-strain gauge load cell scale bases.
Central to the company's electronic system is its new Model 1099trademark chemical process controller. This electronic scale weight indicator is the result of more than three years of design, development and testing by the firm. It automatically controls the batching process of chemicals used to make up day tanks. This is accomplished with four set points of normally open/closed, latching/non-latching relays that trigger alarms and/or turn on and off transfer and metering pumps.
The controller operates four scales with four individual channels for each scale. It can monitor up to four groups of scales with each group using one channel, for a total of 16 scales in a large system. The system provides chemical process control for different types of scales used in the same system, such as a dual cylinder scale for one chemical, a drum scale, platform scale and/or ton cylinder scale for other chemicals, as long as the number of load cells does not exceed 16.
In each of these scenarios, the Model 1099 provides all reporting information to a printer, recorder or programmable logic controller and provides a permanent record of daily usage, amount used, days till empty and the feed rate of four different scale bases. The reporting feature prevents the system from running out of chemicals when the plant is unmanned. These features explain the reasons why the Model 1099 is properly called a chemical process controller and not only an electronic scale weight indicator.
The system improves worker safety and may reduce labor costs. The Model 1099 can be installed in what is normally referred to as the "gas room" and chemical usage can be monitored at a remote location, not necessarily in the same building.
Set-point relays to control transfer and metering pumps prevent overfilling or underfilling of day tanks. The chemical process controller automatically regulates chemicals going into the tank, which is generally safer and more accurate. This reduces worker exposure and possible contact with hazardous chemicals.
The typical operator runs the chemical process controller by following easy-to-use directions for most daily operations. The system does not require special training or an electronics engineer for set-up or operation. A large LED digital readout displays all quantities.
The system operates on any AC supply voltage from 85 volts to 265 volts. Its battery and solid state memory system provides a redundant memory back up.
To learn more about the new Scaletron Industries "Total Electronic" system, visit the company's booth at the AWWA Conference and Exhibition, or visit its web site - www.scaletronscales.com.
