Solutions > Silo (hold tank) level

Objective: Develop a real-time system for continually monitoring the amount (level) of lime stored in a lime silo by measuring the load (stress) response of the support structure using strain gauge transducer technology.

Solution: The solution for measuring the lime supply is based on the load response of the lime silo structure. The 400 ton capacity silo is supported by four (4) W14X127 vertical I-beam columns. The I-beam columns are laid out in a symmetric polar array having a diameter of approximately 20'. The level of lime in the silo is directly proportional to the load carried by the silo's undercarriage (e.g. I-beams). Combining this relationship with the knowledge of the silo's geometry, material properties, boundary conditions, and loads (capacity), itm applies strain gauge based custom transducer methods, including: defining the load path; evaluating the system boundary conditions and loads; developing a linear model of the system; and performing preliminary transducer sensitivity calculations. read more: click here ...