Determining Feedstock Levels in Aggregate Silos using 3D Level Measurement

This article discusses the applications and challenges involved in concrete production and outlines how 3D level measurement can be used to accurately determine the feedstock levels in aggregate silos. 

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Cement Silos

Cement is typically kept in large silos before being sent to the mixing process.

Figure 1. Concrete production

Challenges

An extremely dusty environment is created when cement is loaded into the silo, making it complicated for many non-contact measurement devices to measure in an accurate and reliable manner. The cement is also susceptible to buildup and rat holing, which make it difficult to measure the level and volume of the material.

In order to ensure sufficient inventory for a continuous production process, it is very important to know the volume of the material.

The optional 3D visualization tool in BinMaster 3DLevelScanner provides reliable and accurate measurements of the volume of cement kept in the silo (Figure 2). It also allows the end users to view the accurate distribution of cement within the silo, providing early detection of material buildup along the walls of the silo.

This enables the end user to schedule timely cleaning and maintenance work, to prevent unpredicted and unwanted interruptions of the concrete production process and the related losses in terms of time and money.

Figure 2. BinMaster 3DLevelScanner

Aggregate Silos

Aggregates are usually kept in silos before being transferred to the mixing process.

Challenges

Concrete is created by combining fixed quantities of raw materials exiting from different silos, and there should be adequate amounts of all raw materials to prevent unanticipated and unnecessary production interruptions.

The overall production cycle can be regulated by knowing the exact amount of different types of material kept in separate silos.

The 3DLevelScanner from BinMaster provides accurate real-time measurements of the amount of material kept in each silo, which considerably improves the end users’ inventory control and management capabilities.

With the 3DMultiVision software, the end user can simultaneously visualize all of the silos without having to open a new window to observe separate silos.

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This information has been sourced, reviewed and adapted from materials provided by BinMaster.

For more information on this source, please visit BinMaster.