How They Work: Magnetically Coupled Liquid Level Indicators (Mag Gauges)

Magnetically coupled liquid level indicators are in widespread use throughout today's process industries.

Originally designed as an alternative to site and gage glass devices, MLI’s are now commonly utilized in both new construction and plant expansions. Orion Instruments magnetic level indicators are precision engineered and manufactured to indicate liquid level accurately, reliably, and continuously.

As shown in this video, a float designed for the specific gravity of the process liquid travels inside the MLI chamber tracking the rise and fall of the process media.

This float contains an internal magnetic assembly that couples with the external visual indicator. The individual “flags” or “flippers” rotate 180 degrees as the level rises and falls, indicating the position of the liquid inside the MLI, and therefore, indicating the level of the liquid in the vessel.

These units are completely sealed and require little to no periodic maintenance. MLI’s also eliminate fugitive emission and glass breakage concerns common with site and gage glasses.

To complement these products, level switches and transmitters are available to further expand the control and alarm capability of the MLI.

For more information on magnetic level indicators, contact: M.S. Jacobs and Associates by calling 800-348-0089 or by visiting https://msjacobs.com.

Positive Returns From Steam Generation and Condensate Recovery Efficiency Gain

Steam systems are excellent candidates for cost saving
through increased efficiency.

The generation of steam is a lifeblood operation to many commercial and industrial operations around the world. The large scale of its use can make steam generation one of the largest energy consumption activities for an industrial plant or commercial building. The size and complexity of steam systems, with generation, condensate handling, heat recovery, and feedwater treatment, provides a number of areas where inefficiencies can cost very substantial sums of money. Conversely, enhancing efficiency toward a maximum attainable level will yield very large savings in operating costs.

Magnetrol International, a globally recognized leader in the design and production of flow and level controls for commercial and industrial use, has produced a video summarizing the elements of the steam system that are good candidates for upgrade, as well as general direction on how to achieve increased efficiency for each. In keeping with the company's line of level and flow measurement products, the focus is on how accurate and robust instrumentation can improve overall system performance and generate a decidedly positive return on the time and funds invested.

Invest a few minutes in the video below and learn how the operating efficiency of your steam system can be elevated with an instrument upgrade. There is a white paper on the same subject available on request. You can also receive a listing of the specific Magnetrol instruments that can be applied to steam systems, with a short description of where each is applied. Reach out to a product application specialist and share your steam system challenges. Combining your system knowledge with their product application expertise will yield the best solution.

Knowledge Base and Selection Guide For Magnetic Level Indicators

Magnetic Level Indicators
Courtesy Orion Instruments

Industrial process control frequently involves the storage of liquid in vessels or tanks. Continuous and accurate indication of liquid level within the tank is an essential data point for safety and process management. While there are a number of methods and instrument types utilized to provide tank level measurement, the instrument of choice is often a magnetic level indicator, also referred to as a magnetic level gauge. Its use for providing level indication has a number of positive attributes:

• Construction that is resistant to breakage.
• Measuring indicators, switches, and transmitters mounted externally, without contacting the medium being measured.
• Maintenance free operation. No regular cleaning needed.
• Readable level indication from greater distance than glass sight gauges.
• Magnetic level indicators can accommodate greater fluid level ranges without the need for multiple instruments.

Orion Instruments, a Magnetrol company and industry leader, has produced a comprehensive guide to magnetic level gauges, switches, transmitters, and related products. It delivers experts and newcomers an understandable and clear description of the technology and principals of operation behind magnetic level gauges and instruments. The guide also assists the reader in properly specifying and selecting the best instrument configuration for an application. A table of contents at the front of the document helps readers to quickly find the information they need.

Take a couple minutes to roll through the document and you are likely to find new and useful application tips and product information. Any questions about magnetic level indicators or your process measurement and control applications can be clearly addressed by a product specialist.

Orion magnetic level selection guide from MSJacobs-Cali