Plating Application: Chromic Acid Tank Level

Plating acid tanks.

Chromium is widely used in the metal finishing industry for both decorative and hard-chrome plating. The chemicals used in Chrome plating are very harsh and corrosive. Chromium plating requires that the metal to be plated to be pretreated in a sodium cyanide/caustic soda bath and then plated in a chromic acid bath.

A large international plating company located in the USA needed a cost effective liquid level switching that would perform flawlessly on their chemical plating baths.

Problem

The chemicals used in plating, specifically Chromic Acid, are extremely corrosive. Many times these chemicals need to be kept at elevated temperatures, resulting in corrosive vapors. Controls installed in and around areas where vapors are present are adversely affected.  For this customer, the tank level instruments near the chromic acid tanks were the most problematic.

Solution

Levelpro PLF

Icon Process Controls, a manufacturer specializing in corrosion resistant fluid handling instrumentation, recommended their Levelpro PLF series plastic level switch. The Levelpro PLF provides excellent chemical resistance. Body materials are available in PVC, PP, PVDF, or 316SS. The level switch is available is sizes from 6" to 10 feet, with up to 8 different switch points, and unlike ultrasonic sensors, the PLF Series are not affected by foam, vapor, or turbulence. Additionally, they require no power and are available in N/O or N/C switch positions.

The PLF series can be used to indicate high and low levels, notification of upset conditions or turn pumps or valves on-off. They are also an excellent choice for redundant high| low level indication when used in conjunction with a continuous level sensor.

For more information, contact M.S. Jacobs and Associates. They can be reached at 800-348-0089 or you can visit their web site at https://msjacobs.com.

Level Sensors for Corrosive Liquids

ICON Levelpro plastic level sensors.

Corrosive liquids can be found in just about every industry; food, metal finishing, water-waste water treatment, textile, automotive, to name just a few.  When it comes to selecting the correct sensor technology there are many different factors to consider.

Plastic level sensors are an excellent choice for corrosive liquid chemical applications.  Plastics, unlike metals, do not corrode; however, they can deteriorate and swell if the correct plastic is not used.

ICON Process Controls offers its Levelpro plastic level sensors for continuous level indication, as well as plastic level switches for point level notification.  There are many different factors to consider when selecting the right product for the application.

• Chemical Liquid?
• Concentration?
• Temperature?

With this information a material of construction for the level sensor can be selected.  Next, it is important to understand other factors that contribute to the success or failure of the level sensor.

• Is there particulate with the liquid?
• Does the liquid create a film, or does it have a coating effect?
• Does the chemical produce foam?
• Is there sludge at the bottom of the tank?
• Is the liquid agitated?

Once the information pertaining to the chemical and the type of sensor technology (continuous or point) is determined, ICON can recommend the most suitable product for the application.

An excellent level sensor for corrosive liquids is the 100 Series submersible level sensor.  The plastic level transmitter is available in PVC, PP and PVDF bodies, and comes standard with a corrosion-resistant PTFE jacketed cable and Kalrez O-rings.  The 100 Series submersible level sensors incorporate a weighted body which ensures the sensor sits at the bottom of the tank.  The plastic level transmitter has a ceramic sensing diaphragm that measures the head pressure of the liquid.  These level sensors are not affected by foam, vapor, condensate or turbulence, making them an excellent choice for many different applications.

If the chemical produces sludge then ICON would recommend a non-contact level technology such as the Ultrapro ultrasonic level sensor, or the Proscan radar transmitter.

For clean liquids the CFL Series continuous float is a reliable and economical choice.

ICON also offers a complete line of plastic level switches for point level indication.  These plastic switches are available in PVC, PP and PVDF materials, and the relay can be set to normally open or normally closed positions. Visit M.S. Jacobs at https://msjacobs.com for more information.

Process Measurement and Control Devices for Corrosive Environments

All plastic corrosion resistant pressure gauge.
Image courtesy ICON Process Controls

ICON Process Controls specializes in corrosion resistant industrial fluid handling process control equipment, offering industry the most complete line of instrumentation products in an all plastic form supported by the largest inventory in North America. Applications for corrosion resistant instrumentation and controls are found throughout...

• Municipal and industrial water and wastewater treatment
• Bulk chemical storage, handling and production
• Steel processing
• Metal Finishing
• Chemical Dosing Skids
• Food and Beverage processing and production

The ICON product line handles tasks for measuring and controlling flow, level, pressure, and temperature in environments that are otherwise challenging or corrosive to other process instruments. Their unique all plastic construction makes the ICON equipment and instruments particularly well suited to the harshest industrial environments.

For information about the complete line of corrosion resistant industrial fluid handling process control equipment from ICON, reach out to the process control experts at MS Jacobs. Share your process control challenges and leverage your own process knowledge and experience with their product application expertise to develop effective solutions.

Corrosion Resistant Level and Flow Measurement and Control Instruments from MSJacobs-Cali

MS Jacobs & Associates Offers Line of Corrosion Resistant Industrial Fluid Handling Process Control Equipment

TKS/TKP/TKM Series PVC + PP Paddle Wheel Flow Meters

Courtesy Icon Process Controls Ltd.

MS Jacobs & Associates now represents ICON Process Controls in Pennsylvania, New York, and West Virginia. ICON specializes in corrosion resistant industrial fluid handling process control equipment, offering industry the most complete line of all plastic instrumentation products supported by the largest inventory in North America. Markets include Municipal and Industrial Water & Waste-Water Treatment, Bulk Chemicals, Steel Processing, Metal Finishing, Chemical Dosing Skids, and Food & Beverage.

The company's products complement and expand MS Jacobs' already extensive array of process measurement and control instruments and equipment. The ICON line includes devices for measuring and controlling flow, level, pressure, and temperature. Their unique all plastic construction makes the ICON equipment and instruments particularly well suited to the harshest industrial environments.

For information about the complete line of corrosion resistant industrial fluid handling process control equipment from ICON, reach out to the process control experts at MS Jacobs. Share you process control challenges and combine your process knowledge with their product application expertise to formulate the best solutions.