JOWA CONSILIUM US, INC.

Metritape Level Gauges

Headquartered in Littleton, Massachusetts, JOWA Consilium US, Inc. (formerly Metritape, Inc.) has provided reliable liquid level gauging products to customers worldwide since 1965. JOWA Consilium offers a wide range of level gauging products and experience to industrial, municipal and marine customers. These solutions include a family of Metritape gauging products, wireless instrumentation, ultrasonic level sensors, pressure transmitter level sensors and display instruments.

MERITAPE LEVEL GAUGES

Metritape Operation Principle

Whether your application is an individual tank, a tank farm, a reservoir, or a river, our unique Metritape level sensor provides a reliable solution. This is because resistance-tape is remarkably different from other level sensors; in principle, appearance, and performance.

The reason for Metritape's success is its simple principle of operation and the high quality materials used in its construction. The sensor consists of a gold plated, stainless steel base strip, partially insulated from a gold plated wire that is wound around the base strip to form a helix. This helix is sheathed in various materials including Mylar, HastelloyTM, or TeflonTM, to insulate the sensor's inner elements from the liquid to be measured. Sliding the sheathed helix into a protective channel that leaves the front of the sensor exposed then completes the sensor. The sensor is generallly contained within a still pipe suspended from the top of the tank.  However, other mounting options are available. 

With more than 25,000 Metritape sensors installed worldwide, this simple, rugged technology is selected because of its many features and benefits:

• No moving parts; nothing to wear out
• High reliability; virtually maintenance free
• Easy to install from tank-top; no need to empty tank
• Not adversely affected by agitation, foam, vapors, or product build up
• Calibration remains stable and drift free
• Intrinsically safe for use in flammable liquids
• Temperature detectors can be added to sensor

Applications

Metritape is the solution for a wide range of level gauging applications, including:

• Inventory Control
• Distributed Data Collection and Telemetry
• Process Tank Monitoring
• Hydrology and Flood Control
• Water and Wastewater

The Metritape level sensor is ideal for ponds, streams, tanks or sumps because of its high resolution; stable output and simple pipe mount installation. Since it has no moving parts and because specific gravity and viscosity do not adversely affect its output, Metritape is perfect for gauging raw sewage and sludge. Hundreds of municipalities and treatment plants use this reliable sensor in diverse applications including cooling ponds, digesters, groundwater, reservoirs, raw sewage, sludge pits, and wet wells.

Metritape has proven durability in the gauging of slurries and dense liquids. The sensor's smooth, non-mechanical design resists buildup and is unaffected by agitation. Heavy ores, syrups, viscous muds and high viscosity oils do not hamper its operation. Applications include coal slurries, drilling mud, iron ore slurries, lime slurries and pulp and paper.

The Metritape sensor's outer sheath gives it a smooth, nonstick surface ideal for gauging waxy crudes and heavy oils. Its chemically inert surface is also ideal for gauging refined products. Up to three temperature detectors can be built into the Level / Temp model which carries full intrinsic safety approvals. Applications include avgas, bunker C, crude, diesel oil, fuel oil, gasoline, jet fuel and naptha.

Organics, inorganics, solvents, toxic substances and chemical waste tanks have all been successfully gauged with resistance-tape level sensors. Applications include acetic acid, acetone, benzene, caustics, chromate, condensate, methanol, phenol, plating solutions, sulfuric acid, toluene and xylene.

The Metritape product line includes Aquatape for water and wastewater, Petrotape for petroleum and fuel, Chemtape for chemicals and petrochemicals and the LA sensor series for higher temperatures and pressures.

Click here for Product Selection Chart

Aquatape Gauge

Aquatape is a water level gauge consisting of a Metritape sensor, available in lengths between three and 50 ft, a 4-20mA transmitter with built in transient protection and electrical noise filtering, a sensor filter and PVC housing. It offers output that is not hampered by agitation, vapor, sludge, foam, product build-up, internal tank structure or floating debris. This gauge contains no moving parts, making it suitable for gauging level in municipal water, wastewater, sewage and slurries. It is also suitable for tanks, wells, ponds, rivers, and lift stations.

Petrotape Gauge

The Petrotape gauging system is designed for monitoring above or below ground storage tanks. Gauged products include gasoline, fuel oils, crude oils, kerosene and diesel fuel with temperatures up to 225° F. This packaged system consists of a Hastelloy jacketed Metritape sensor, a compact filter assembly, a sensor housing and a two-wire 4-20mA current transmitter. It is available in lengths of 3 to 100 feet. The filter assembly protects the sensor from moisture and contaminates and provides pressure equalization. The stainless steel sensor housing mounts to a 3-inch flange.

Chemtape Gauge

The Chemtape gauging system is designed for monitoring above or below ground storage tanks. Gauged products include general industrial chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and petrochemicals with temperatures up to 225°F. The packaged system consists of the Metritape sensor, with either a Hastelloy C276 or an FEP Teflon jacket, compact filter assembly, a sensor housing and a two-wire 4-20mA current transmitter. It is available in overall lengths of 3 to 100 feet. The filter assembly protects the sensor from moisture and contaminates and provides pressure equalization.

LA Sensor Series

The LA series Metritape sensors are a modular approach to system building allowing selection of various sensors, sensor housings and instruments tailored to meet specific customer requirements. The LA Series consists of three models: LA, LA-HN(HP), and LA-AF. All LA sensors are available in lengths of up to 100 ft and all can have up to three RTD temperature detectors mounted within the sensor envelope at specified locations.

Ultrasonic Level Sensors

Ultrasonic level sensors come in four models, the CU-10, CU-20, CU-25B, and CU-50. Models are available at up to 50ft, and are programmable via an RS232 connection or touch-pad and digital display. The units have up to seven trip point configurations, 27 programmable modes, and up to two adjustable relays. The sensors are suitable for detecting level in solids and aggressive liquids, and NPT and flange mount units are available for each model.

Ultrasonic Level Sensors CU - 10 & 20

Consilium ultrasonic technology utilizes a series of sound waves transmitted in a cone shaped pattern. The sound waves reflect from a target and are received by the sensor. The sensor measures the time interval between transmission and reception of the signal, and then converts the interval into a distance measurement based on the speed of sound. These sensors feature internal temperature compensation for increased accuracy under varying environmental conditions.

The NPT mount CU-10, CU-20 and the flange mount versions; CU-10F and CU-20F are easy to set up using Consilium's DOS or Windows based utility program. The program disk and comport cable are purchased separately and can be used to calibrate multiple sensors. Through this RS-232 interface, various output options and sample rates can be selected.

Features:

• Continuous level monitoring of liquids and bulk solids up to 20 feet in depth
• RS232 interface for user friendly DOS or Windows-based calibration with utility program and communications port cable
• All electronics located within sensor unit; no external transmitter required
• Sensor's microprocessor continually adjusts signal for reliable level indication
• 4-20mA scalable output proportional to level
• NPT and Teflon faced flange mount units available

Benefits

This versatile non-contact technology is ideal for a variety of level applications including bulk solids and liquids. Ultrasonic sensors are not affected by target surface or color and function extremely well in harsh environments. They are reliable, adjustable and need little maintenance.

Ultrasonic Level Sensors CU-25 & 50

Consilium ultrasonic technology utilizes a series of sound waves transmitted in a cone shaped pattern. The sound waves reflect from a target and are received by the sensor. The sensor measures the time interval between transmission and reception of the signal, and then converts the interval into a distance measurement based on the speed of sound. These sensors feature internal temperature compensation for increased accuracy under varying environmental conditions.

The NPT mount CU-25, CU-50 and the flange mount versions; CU-25F and CU-50F are easy to set up using their built-in touch pad and digital displays. This versatile non-contact technology is ideal for a variety of level applications including bulk solids and liquids. Ultrasonic sensors are not affected by target surface or color and function extremely well in harsh environments. They are reliable, adjustable and need little maintenance.

Features:

• Continuous level monitoring of liquids and bulk solids up to 50 feet in depth
• Simple touch pad programming utilizing built-in LCD or LED display
• Up to 2 adjustable solid-state relays and 4-20mA output
• 7 trip point configurations plus 27 programmable modes for maximum flexibility
• Sensor's microprocessor continually adjusts signal for reliable level indication
• All electronics located within sensor unit; no external transmitter required
• NPT and Teflon faced flange mount units available

Ultrasonic Level Sensor CU-25B

Consilium ultrasonic technology utilizes a series of sound waves transmitted in a cone shaped pattern. The sound waves reflect from a target and are received by the sensor. The sensor measures the time interval between transmission and reception of the signal, and then converts the interval into a distance measurement based on the speed of sound. These sensors feature internal temperature compensation for increased accuracy under varying environmental conditions.

The NPT mount CU-25B and the flange mount version CU-25BF are easy to set up using Consilium's Windows based utility program. The program disk and comport cable are purchased separately and can be used to calibrate multiple sensors. Through this RS-232 interface, various output options and sample rates can be selected.

Features:

• Continuous level monitoring of liquids and bulk solids up to 25 feet in depth
• RS232 interface for user friendly Windows-based calibration with utility program and communications port cable
• All electronics located within sensor unit; no external transmitter required
• Sensor's microprocessor continually adjusts signal for reliable level indication
• 4-20mA or RS-485 output proportional to level
• NPT and Teflon faced flange mount units available

Benefits

This versatile non-contact technology is ideal for a variety of level applications including bulk solids and liquids. Ultrasonic sensors are not affected by target surface or color and function extremely well in harsh environments. They are reliable, adjustable and need little maintenance.

Wireless Instrumentation

The Wireless Resistance Transceiver and the Wireless Base Radio are an ideal solution to any resistance-tape level sensor where power and signal wires do not exist. These products allow for level monitoring in places that were previously thought to be cost-prohibitive due to the expense of running wire or adding a power source.

Wireless Base Radio

The Base Radio is a reliable Radio Frequency (RF) transceiver with a variety of available outputs, contained in an explosion proof housing useable in many hazardous and hard-to-reach areas. The time and expense of running wires often makes it difficult to measure parameters that have an economic impact on your plant operation, but the Base Radio allows you to quickly and accurately monitor those devices at fraction of the cost, giving you bigger and faster returns on your instrumentation investments.

The Base Radio communicates in a secure, digital protocol over a band of frequencies from 902MHz to 928MHz. These devices require no wires, permits or licenses, and are easily setup and installed right out of the box. The Base Radio may be used to communicate with many Field Units in various applications. You can use this device for long-term monitoring in remote locations, for short-term data gathering on process conditions, or to quickly test the economic viability of a new installation.

Software for the Radio is revised periodically. Internal device software may contain portions that are not compatible with previous versions of the Wireless Instrumentation Manager software. To ensure software compatibility, Wireless Instrumentation Manager software version 1.56.126 or later must be used.

In order for the Base Radio and the Field Unit to communicate they must be on the same RF Channel, and must be transmitting at the same Baud Rate. While all Field Units and Base Radios are set to default configurations at the factory, if any configuration differences are present the Base Radio will not be able to communicate to the Field Units.

The subsections are as follows:

• 5.1: RF Channel Selection
• 5.2: RF Baud Rate Selection
• 5.1: RF Channel Selection

All Base Radios and Field Units can be set to one of 16 different communication channels. The only Field Units recognized by a particular Base Radio are the units that share the same RF Channel as that Base Radio. This allows the user to decide which Field Units communicate with each Base Radio.