Ultrasonic versus radar

Level and flow measurement in the water industry

According to Endress+Hauser, radar measurement technology offers many possibilities,
however, level measurement with ultrasonic remains the first choice in the water &
wastewater industry.
Information about level and flow are important parameters for optimal operation of
sewage and drainage systems and the resulting measurement requirements of the water
and wastewater industry can be met by means of different measuring principles. For a
large number of the level requirements, ultrasonic technology has proven advantages and
is considered a standard.
Physical characteristics
Compared to ultrasonic, radar provides the physical advantage that the emitted
microwave pulses are unaffected by air movement and temperature layers existing across
the test measuring section. This property can be advantageous in measurements under
specific environmental conditions (e.g. strong winds, rain, fog, solar radiation) in terms
of measurement accuracy.
Despite the physical advantage of the radar measurement technology, the question is
whether the technology actually provides benefits in the daily operation of a wastewater
treatment plant?
In practice, many typical applications such as wet wells, overflow basins and sewers are
built underground or covered. Wind and sunlight does not interfere with the measurement
here. Ultrasound, however, can score with higher accuracy at close range, flexible
application, installation flexibility and minimum maintenance. Furthermore, experience
shows that even with flow measurements in open channels and weirs, the typical
measurement accuracy of ultrasound measurement (2 mm and 0,17% of the measured
distance) is sufficient.
The accuracy of flow measurement is influenced primarily by design, construction and
especially by the installation of the channel. In addition, for temperature-dependent
applications (e.g. in deep wells) an external temperature sensor can be used for
measurement correction.
The water experts
Endress+Hausers portfolio in the field of ultrasonic measurement t is tailored to the
needs of customers in the wastewater industry, using state-of the-art technology that
provides an optimal price/performance ratio. When ultrasonic reaches its limits, the
company is able to offer any other relevant level measurement technology such as free
space radar, hydrostatic or capacitive.
Characteristics of Endress+Hausers ultrasonic measuring technology include:

Maintenance-free measurement of polluted waters.

Self-cleaning to reduce influences from condensation effects.
Sensor housing that reduces heating by solar radiation.
Ideal solution for inaccessible measuring points.
Temperature correction with integrated or external temperature sensor.
Potted sensors are fully immersed (IP68 protection against gas leaks e.g. ammonia
and hydrogen sulphide).
Safe signal evaluation during flooding with submergence shield (optional).
Suitable for use in hazardous areas.