Coal is transported by conveyor and tripper cars to coal hoppers, day vessels, or silos. These hoppers feed ball mills, which in turn feed the pulverized coal to the boilers. There will be at least one hopper for each boiler, and there are typically two boilers per unit. These hoppers and silos storing the pre-pulverized coal are large and very dusty. The silos hold several hours’ supply of coal and can continue to supply coal to the boiler in the event of a problem in the coal handling system. As coal is critical for the continuous process, it is necessary to monitor and control the actual amount of coal in order to prevent process stoppages.
The Rosemount™ 5408 Non-Contacting Radar Level Transmitter uses enhanced technology and Human Centered Design to deliver accurate, reliable measurements on both liquid and solid materials. Using two-wire FMCW and Smart Echo Supervision technologies, the Rosemount 5408 deploys a continuous echo to maximize radar signal strength and produce a more robust and reliable measurement. Delivering ease-of-use at every touch point, the Rosemount 5408 uses an intuitive software interface to guide the operator through installation, commissioning, proof-testing and maintenance. Powerful onboard diagnostics suite proactively monitors transmitter health and alerts if there is an issue. Safety certified to IEC 61508 for SIL 2 applications, the Rosemount 5408:SIS reduces cost of risk, increases efficiency and protects people and the environment.