Thickener Suspension Level Measurement

Introduction

A thickener is a facility used to separate solids from liquids by allowing suspended solids to settle at the bottom of the tank.

The sludge accumulated at the bottom is collected toward the center by a rake arm and then discharged.

Measuring the sludge level in a thickener is challenging because the interface between clarified water and settled sludge constantly changes depending on operating conditions.

Variations in sludge density and solids concentration can make accurate detection difficult for many conventional sensors.

In addition, high turbidity and suspended particles inside the tank may cause unstable signals or inaccurate readings.

Because thickeners are large vessels with dynamic process conditions, a reliable measurement method is required to continuously and accurately detect the sludge interface.

Solution

The Sounding Type Level Transmitter detects the surface of thickened suspension through the liquid.

It measures the distance to the thickened suspension by lowering and raising a sensing weight, which passes through the liquid and stops upon contacting the surface of the accumulated deposit.

Continuous monitoring of sludge accumulation at the bottom of the thickener helps prevent excessive load on the rake arm. This reduces the risk of mechanical damage, unplanned downtime, and costly repairs, contributing to safer and more stable plant operation.

By accurately tracking the thickened suspension level, operators can optimize sludge withdrawal timing and control process conditions. This leads to more consistent treatment performance, improved water quality, and easier operation management.