The Middle East leads an emerging growth market for level control systems. Nine basic system types are the first order of business, reports Saudi training center.

The Applied Training Center in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia has a massive list of “to-dos” when it comes to implementing level control systems nationwide. Prof. Soliman El-Debeiky and his associates have set out nine level control system technologies for introduction to a host of Saudi Arabia’s commercial and residential organizations. The system types: solid probe, float operated, steel rope capacitance, ultrasonic, microwave radar, hydrostatic, differential pressure, and magnetic. The nine cover just about every possible need for the near future and present interesting possibilities for business relationships for both overseas and domestic system suppliers.

Although digital level control systems are preferred, mechanical systems, given the environmental conditions and lack of infrastructure to support digital systems, are also highly prized. In short, working systems and training, according to the Applied Training Center, are what matters most. Sophisticated technologies will come, but getting the job done is the number one priority.

Best-in-Class Level Control Systems feature:

With such a diversity of level control system types, best-in-class selection needs to be preceded by criteria evaluation.

• The five criteria offered by Omega’s Transactions of Level and Control for Flow and Level Measurement are:Can the level sensor be inserted into the tank or should it be completely external?
• Should the sensor detect the level continuously or will a point sensor be adequate?
• Can the sensor come in contact with the process fluid or must it be located in the vapor space?
• Is direct measurement of the level needed or is indirect detection of hydrostatic head (which responds to changes in both level and density) acceptable?
• Is tank depressurization or process shut-down acceptable when sensor removal or maintenance is required?

Top Considerations before Buying Level Control Systems Flow Monitors:

Unlike Western industry, infrastructure and working environment are the top considerations for most Middle East regions. Then, “Consider the traditions or preferences of the particular industrial plant or the particular process industry, because of user familiarity and the availability of spare parts. For example, the oil industry generally prefers displacement-type level sensors, while the chemical industry favors differential pressure (DP) cells.”

Key Providers:

1. Emerson Process Management provides the industry-specific process solutions in oil, gas, water, and wastewater. In addition, the company supplies flow computers, SCADA RTUs and presets.  Emerson's Remote Automation Solutions target measurement and control needs in remote locations, providing technology, services and integrated architecture for business improvement and optimum production, operations and reliability. Emerson also offers a fully digital plant automation system, what it calls the DeltaV system, an Emerson-termed PlantWeb architecture for embedded advanced control, integration and optimization of plant-wide process automation. The company claims that “thousands of process manufacturers from industries including oil and gas, refining, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, pulp and paper, food and beverage, metals, mining and utilities” who use the DeltaV system in their operations.

2. Polycontrols Technologies, founded in 1982, provides flow measurement, fluid and gas systems, and comprehensive process integration. The company designs, produces and supports industrial control systems and telemetry applications; and since 1992 has developed expertise in gas and liquid fluid-flow measurement, a metrology laboratory that specializes in gas and liquid flow calibration, and a product line of high performance gas mixers. The company claims to be the largest flow calibration laboratory in Canada; U.S. office locations include California, Texas, and New York. Polycontrols' line of industrial controls include a line of flowmeters, level indicators and proximity sensors; toxic and explosive gas detectors, and water quality analysis.

3. Flow Technology, Inc., founded in 1963 and operating as a subsidiary of Roper Industries, Inc., provides specialized, high-accuracy liquid and gas flow metering solutions. The company designs and manufactures flow metering devices for oil, gas, automotive, industrial, marine, and the aerospace marketplace and also food and beverage producers, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and the NASA space program. Product line offerings include turbine, positive displacement, electromagnetic, and ultrasonic flow meters, as well as flow meter calibrators and marine fuel management systems. Flow Technology also offers calibration and repair services.

4. Clark Solutions provides solutions to pressure, flow, level, and other applications with inert valves, solenoid operated valves, miniature and subminiature valves. The company provides a wide range of pumps for liquids, gases, and air including diaphragm pumps, piston pumps, rotary vane pumps, gear pumps, peristaltic pumps, impeller pumps, and bellows pumps, including devices to record, monitor, and control flow, velocity, pressure, temperature, humidity, level, and gas concentration. Clark Solutions offers a wide range of flowmeter, variable area flowmeter, vortex flowmeters, ultrasonic vortex flow meter, water meter, totalizing water meter, flow switch, flow indicator, flow transmitter, flow sensor, and flow controller products.

Level Control Systems
Definition: A Level Control Systems is an assembly of lines, tanks, pumps and other devices necessary to control the levels, especially the levels of liquids and gasses, in a process tank. Typical level control systems: float, solid probe, steel rope capacitance, ultrasonic, acoustic, microwave radar, hydrostatic, and differential pressure types. See also level sensors, level switches, level measurement instrumentation.