Magnetrol Pulsar R80 80 GHz FMCW Radar Level Transmitter

Overview

The Magnetrol Pulsar R80 is the newest and highest-frequency non-contact radar in the Magnetrol line. It uses frequency modulated continuous wave technology at 80 GHz, which allows a very narrow beam, a small antenna and millimetre-level resolution on liquids, slurries and bulk solids. Magnetrol describes it as the complement to the 6 GHz Pulsar R96 and 26 GHz Pulsar R86, and together with the Eclipse 706 the family forms a solution set for difficult level applications.

Seven Star LLC supplies the Magnetrol Pulsar R80 to process plants, utilities and hygienic-process facilities across the Sultanate of Oman and the GCC. When a customer needs to measure level in a small tank, a narrow nozzle or a silo, our Muscat engineers confirm antenna and connection options and prepare the quotation with the correct documentation.

Operating Principle

The Magnetrol Pulsar R80 transmits a continuous 80 GHz signal downward whose frequency is constantly ramped. When the signal returns from the product surface, it is mixed with the signal being transmitted at that moment, and the difference between the two frequencies is directly proportional to the distance travelled. The electronics convert that frequency difference to distance, then to level using the configured tank height. This differs from the pulse burst radar in earlier Pulsar models, which measure a transit time directly.

Because the wavelength at 80 GHz is only a few millimetres, the beam can be focused with a small antenna, which reduces false echoes from tank walls and internals and makes installation in a narrow nozzle practical. The Magnetrol Pulsar R80 keeps the performance of the family, in that changes of specific gravity and dielectric do not affect the reading, and it copes with visible vapours, turbulence and high fill rates, low to moderate foam and build-up.

Engineering Design of the Magnetrol Pulsar R80

The Magnetrol Pulsar R80 offers a range of antenna types. Threaded metal horn antennas come in three-quarter, one and a half, two and three inch sizes, flanged encapsulated antennas use 4 mm or 8 mm PTFE lenses on 2, 3 or 4 inch flanges, hygienic antennas have a 15 Ra finish with Tri-Clamp connections, and swivel-mount bulk solids antennas fit 3 and 4 inch flanges. Materials include 316 stainless steel, PEEK, PTFE and PEK, with PTFE or PEEK process seals, and the vacuum service rating is below 10 to the minus 8 cc per second of helium at one atmosphere.

Process limits quoted in the datasheet reach 70 bar (1000 psi) and up to +176 °C for the threaded metal antennas, while the PTFE lens antennas carry lower pressure limits of 5 bar for the 4 mm lens and 27 bar for the 8 mm lens at +20 °C. The transmitter housing is IP67 die-cast aluminium or stainless steel, the ambient range is -40 to +70 °C, and the four-button keypad and graphic LCD show configuration and the echo curve.

Key Features

The Magnetrol Pulsar R80 extends radar level measurement into smaller and cleaner applications. Key features of the Magnetrol Pulsar R80 include:

• 80 GHz FMCW radar with a small antenna, better accuracy and enhanced resolution compared with lower frequencies.
• Measurement of liquids up to 30 m (100 ft) and solids up to 60 m (200 ft).
• Linearity, accuracy and repeatability of 1 mm or better under reference conditions.
• Hygienic 15 Ra antennas with Tri-Clamp connections, and flanged PTFE-lens antennas for corrosive media.
• Bulk solids antennas with swivel mount for silos, bins and hoppers.
• SIL 2 suitable with a safe failure fraction of 92.3 percent and a full FMEDA report.
• Setup and echo rejection wizards, proactive diagnostics with troubleshooting tips, and PACTware DTM support.
• HART 7 digital output, with FDI and EDDL device description files for host systems.

Industrial Applications

The Magnetrol Pulsar R80 suits small process tanks, chemical dosing vessels, silos and hoppers, wastewater structures and hygienic vessels that were previously difficult for lower-frequency radar. In Oman, desalination chemical storage, water treatment dosing tanks, power plant ash and lime silos, and cement and mineral processing bins are all candidates for the 80 GHz beam, which can look past agitators, ladders and nozzle walls. Buyers who are specifying a similar 80 GHz instrument often compare it with the Endress+Hauser Micropilot FMR60, and Seven Star LLC can quote both so that the selection is made on technical data.

Where a customer needs only a simple, low-cost level indication in open tanks, the Nivelco EasyTREK ultrasonic transmitter may be adequate, and where the medium has very low dielectric or an interface is required, the Magnetrol Eclipse 706 remains the manufacturer-recommended option. Seven Star LLC provides engineering support in Muscat for projects in the Sohar and Salalah economic zones, for utilities and for OEM package builders who integrate the Magnetrol Pulsar R80.

Technical Specifications

The table gives the main data for the Magnetrol Pulsar R80 from the Magnetrol datasheet. The antenna choice determines the pressure and temperature rating.

Request a Quote for Magnetrol Pulsar R80

For the Magnetrol Pulsar R80, send Seven Star LLC your vessel dimensions, nozzle size, process medium, dielectric constant, temperature and pressure, and any hygienic or hazardous-area requirement. Our instrumentation division in Muscat will confirm the antenna type and provide a quotation with the Magnetrol datasheet. Seven Star LLC supplies Magnetrol equipment with manufacturer documentation and local engineering support across Oman and the GCC, so request your Magnetrol Pulsar R80 quotation today.