Level detector for measuring foam and aerated slurry level in a wet flue gas desulfurization absorber tower

• US 8,756,992 B2
• Filed: 09/14/2011
• Issued: 06/24/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Electric Technology GmbH (GE Aerospace)
• Original Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd. (Alstom SA)
• Inventors: Bogdanchik, Peter J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Larkin, Daniel S
• Assistant Examiner(s): RAY, JAMAR K
• Application Number:
  US13/232,249
• Publication Number:
  US 20130061669A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,014 Days
• Field of Search: 732/90.R, 732/90.V, 732/90.B
• US Class Current: 73/290.R
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/18 Indicating, recording or alarm devices actuated electrically
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/26 by measuring variations of capacity or inductance of capacitors or inductors arising from the presence of liquid or fluent solid material in the electric or electromagnetic fields
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/284 Electromagnetic waves

Abstract

A level detector 100 includes a sleeve 210 mountable to a vessel and extendable through a wall 212 defined by the vessel 212A and into an interior area 214 defined by the vessel. The sleeve 210 is mountable at an angle A of less than forty-five degrees relative to the vessel wall 212. The level detector 100 includes a level sensing probe 230 extending into a bore defined by an inside surface 218 of the sleeve 210. The level sensing probe 230 is configured to measure a plurality of foam and aerated slurry levels in the vessel 212A. One or more connectors 232, 244 are positioned outside 212B of the vessel 212A to removably support the level sensing probe 230 within the bore. The level sensing probe 230 is in communication with the interior area 214 via one or more openings 254, 258 extending into the bore.

Claims

1. A foam and aerated slurry level detector comprising:

a sleeve mountable to a vessel and extendable through a wall defined by the vessel into an interior area defined by the vessel, the sleeve being mountable at an angle of less than forty-five degrees relative to the wall defined by the vessel;

a level sensing probe configured to measure a plurality of foam and aerated slurry levels in the vessel, to extend into a bore defined by an inside surface of the sleeve, and to communicate with the interior area via at least one opening in the sleeve which extends into the bore;

at least one connector positioned outside of the vessel and configured to removably support the level sensing probe within the bore;

a liquid level sensor mounted to the vessel and extended through the wall into the interior area of the vessel to measure liquid level; and

a comparator module in communication with the liquid level sensor and the level sensing probe to determine a foam and aerated slurry level by subtracting a liquid level measured generated by the liquid level sensor, from another level measurement generated by the level sensing probe.

2. The level detector of claim 1, wherein the at least one connector and the level sensing probe are operable to enable the level sensing probe to be installed and removed from the sleeve from a position external to the vessel without requiring access to the interior area.

3. The level detector of claim 1, wherein the level sensing probe defines a stiffness such that the level sensing probe is spaced away from the inside surface of the sleeve.

4. The level detector of claim 1, wherein the level sensing probe is configured to operate in a wet flue gas desulfurization absorber tower at a temperature of about 135 to about 145 degrees Fahrenheit.

5. The level detector of claim 1, wherein the level sensing probe is about 7 to 20 feet in length.

6. The level detector of claim 1, wherein the level sensing probe includes a corrosion resistant coating disposed thereon.

7. The level detector of claim 1, wherein the level sensing probe is a radio frequency admittance probe.

8. The level detector of claim 7, wherein the radio frequency admittance probe is configured to employ a radio frequency signal and is configured to measure capacitance and resistance of material disposed between the radio frequency admittance probe and the wall.

9. The level detector of claim 1, wherein the at least one connector comprises a first flange secured to the sleeve and a second flange secured to the level sensing probe and wherein the first and second flanges are removably connected to one another.

10. The level detector of claim 1, wherein the sleeve is mountable at an angle of about 14 degrees to about 16 degrees, relative to the vessel wall.

11. The level detector of claim 1, wherein the level sensing probe is mountable and operable at an angle of about 14 degrees to about 16 degrees, relative to vessel wall.

12. The level detector of claim 1, wherein the sleeve and the level sensing probe extend from the wall towards a bottom portion of the vessel.

13. The level detector of claim 1, wherein the sleeve comprises a mounting portion secured to the wall and a measuring portion removably connected to the mounting portion inside the vessel, the mounting portion being a metallic material and the measuring portion being configured to allow slurry, aerated slurry and foam to come into contact with the level sensing probe.

14. The level detector of claim 13, wherein the measuring portion is manufactured from plastic or other non-metallic material.

15. The level detector of claim 13, wherein the measuring portion includes a plurality of passages extending therethrough.

16. The level detector of claim 1, wherein the comparator module includes an algorithm configured to generate a foam and aerated slurry level measurement by subtracting a liquid level measurement generated by the liquid level sensor, from another level measurement generated by the level sensing probe.

17. The level detector of claim 1, wherein the level sensing probe is spaced away from the inside surface of the sleeve and is positioned substantially concentric within the bore.

18. The level detector of claim 1, wherein the level sensing probe is a guided wave radar probe.

19. A method for detecting foam and aerated slurry in a vessel comprising:

using a level sensing probe installed into a bore defined by an inside surface of a sleeve mounted to a vessel to extend through a wall defined by the vessel into an interior area of the vessel with the sleeve mounted at an angle of less than forty-five degrees relative to the wall defined by the vessel, to measure liquid, foam and aerated slurry level;

using a liquid level sensor mounted to the vessel and extended through the wall into the interior area of the vessel, to measure liquid level; and

using a comparator module in communication with the liquid level sensor and the level sensing probe to determine a foam and aerated slurry level by subtracting a liquid level measurement generated by the liquid level sensor, from another level measurement generated by the level sensing probe.