In thermal plants in the food industry, reliable monitoring of the water level is a decisive factor for safe operation. When heating, boiling or cooking food, water is often brought to boiling point in large kettles. It must be ensured that there is a minimum fill level before the heating is activated.
A robust and proven method for level monitoring is hydrostatic pressure measurement. The pressure sensor is installed at the lowest point of the boiling kettle and measures the pressure of the water column above.
The current fill level can be reliably derived from this pressure value. As soon as a defined minimum value is reached, the control system can release the heating process. This measuring principle does not require any moving parts and is therefore particularly suitable for long-lasting and low-maintenance applications.
The monitoring of hot to boiling water places high demands on the sensor technology used. In addition to measurement accuracy, the sensor must be able to withstand high temperatures over the long term.
At the same time, strict hygiene requirements apply in the food industry. Sensors must be made of suitable materials, be easy to clean and must not have any design weaknesses such as open controls or sensitive surfaces.
The pressure sensor FX1P003, which has been specially developed for demanding environments, is suitable for this application. The housing made of V4A stainless steel in combination with a ceramic measuring cell meets both the requirements for temperature resistance and hygienic design.
The G1/4″ process connection enables space-saving integration into existing systems. At the same time, the sensor offers high measurement accuracy, so that even low fill levels can be reliably detected.
Parameterization is carried out via IO-Link, which makes it easy to make settings, save them and transfer them to other sensors. This simplifies commissioning and reduces the effort involved in series applications.
Alternatively, a PNP output is available, which enables direct integration into the controller.
Level monitoring in boiling kettles shows the importance of a coordinated sensor solution for hot media. The combination of hydrostatic measurement, temperature-resistant design and precise pressure detection allows the process to be reliably safeguarded.
Especially in food processing, this means more safety, stable processes and reliable monitoring even under demanding conditions.
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