Siemens Milltronics L-300 Instruction Manual

Instruction Manual September 2003

milltronics

L-300

Safety Guidelines

Warning notices must be observed to ensure personal safety as well as that of others, and to
protect the product and the connected equipment. These warning notices are accompanied
by a clarification of the level of caution to be observed.

Qualified Personne l

This device/system may only be set up and operated in conjunction with this manual.
Qualified personnel are only authorized to install and operate this equipment in accordance
with established safety practices and standards.

Warning: This product can only function properly and safely if it is correctly transported,

stored, installed, set up, operated, and maintained.

Note: Always use product in accordance with specifications.

Copyright Siemens Milltronics Process

Disclaimer of Liability

Instruments Inc. 2003. All Rights Reserved

This document is available in bound version and in
electronic version. We encourage users to
purchase authorized bound manuals, or to view
electronic versions as designed and authored by
Siemens Milltronics Process Instruments Inc.
Siemens Milltronics Process Instruments Inc. will
not be responsible for the contents of partial or
whole reproductions of either bound or electronic
versions.

MILLTRONICS®is a registered trademark of Siemens Milltronics Process Instruments Inc.

Contact SMPI Tech nical Publications at the following address:

Technical Publications
Siemens Milltronics Process Instruments Inc.
1954 Technology Drive, P.O. Box 4225
Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, K9J 7B1
Email: [e-mail]

While we have verified the contents of
this manual for agreement with the
instrumentation described, variations
remain possible. Thus we cannot
guarantee full agreement. The
contents of this manual are regularly
reviewed and corrections are included
in subsequent editions. We welcome
all suggestions for improvement.

Technical data subject to change.

For the library of SMPI instruction manuals, visit our Web site: www.siemens-milltronics.com

© Siemens Milltronics Process Instruments Inc. 2003

Table of Contents

Milltronics L-300 Solids Flowmeter .................................................................................1

The Manual............................................................................................................................................... 1

Specifications ........................ ..............................................................................................2

Installation ..........................................................................................................................4

Installing the Flowmeter........................................................................................................................ 4

Sensing Plate Mounting Details ................................................................................................5

Dual Load Cell Balance ....................................................................................................6

Calibration ................................................................................................................................................. 6

Material Tests........................................................................................................................................... 6

Applications ........................................................................................................................7

Materials ................................................................................................................................................... 7

Material Feed ........................................................................................................................................... 7

Flowmeter In-Feed Chutes ................................................................................................................... 9

L-300 Outline and Details .................................................................................................11

Flowmeter Details ................................................................................................................................. 11

Cover Plate: Remove for calibration pulley mounting ........................................................12

Outline Dimensions............................................................................................................................... 13

Wiring....................................................................................................................................................... 14

Maintenance . ..... .... ...... .... .... .... ..... .... ...... .... .... .... .... ....... .... .... .... .... ...... ..... .... .... .... .... ...... ...14

Checks ............................................................................................................................................14

Unit Repair and Excluded Liability ..........................................................................................14

i

ii

Milltronics L-300 Solids Flowmeter

A

A

Milltronics L-300 solids flowmeter is a
medium-capacity flowmeter for various
product sizes, densities, and fluidities. The
sloped flowguide design conditions the
material into a repeatable flow pattern.

50°

material

discharge

The flowmeter load cells output signals are
processed by the flowmeter integrator (ordered separately) to:

• monitor material flow

• maintain accurate
material inventory

• provide batch control for
process or loadout
purposes

1

• control the ratio of
materials in continuous
blending processes

1

material infeed

flow guide

sensing plate
impact force

housing (cabinet)

B

+B

Components of the Milltronics V Series flowmeter system:

• L-300 flowmeter housing and flowguide consisting of force sensing mechanism
consisting of two parallelogram load cells and stainless steel sensing plate

• electronic flowmeter integrator (ordered separately)

The Manual

This instruction manual covers the installation, operation and maintenance of the
Milltronics L-300 solids flowmeter.

Please refer to this manual for proper installation and operation of any component of the
system to which the L-300 is being applied. Adhering to the installation and operating
procedures will ensure a quick, trouble-free installation and allow for the maximum
accuracy and reliability of your weighing system. Because the L-300 solids flowmeter is
used in conjunction with an integrator, refer to the integrator’s manual as well.

If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions about the manual contents, please
email us at [e-mail]

For the complete library of Siemens Milltronics manuals,
go to www.siemens-milltronics.com

.

.

1.

additional equipment required

7ML19985EQ01 Milltronics L-300 – INSTRUCTION MANUAL Page 1

Specifications

Particle Size

• fine powder to 25 mm (1”)

Product Temperature

• -40 to 85 °C (-40 to 185 °F)

Ambient Temperature

• -40 to 65 °C (-40 to 150 °F)

Accuracy

• "1 %, 33 to 100 % of design capacity; extended accuracy range with linearization

function of integrator

Repeatability

• ± 0.2 %

Capacity Range

• 100 t/h (110 STPH) to 300 t/h (330 STPH)

Maximum Volumetric Capacity

•300 m

Maximum Tonnage

• 0 to 300 t/h (330 STPH) at 1 t/m

• Up to 0 to 500 t/h (550 STPH) at higher bulk densities

3

/h (10,600 ft3/h)

3

(62.4 lb/ft3)

Construction

• painted mild steel flowguide and housing (cabinet) with 304 (1.4306) stainless steel
sensing plate

• optional special linings for flowguide and sensing plate

Load Cells

• construction: 50 lb stainless steel parallelogram

• excitation: 10 V DC nominal, 15 V DC maximum

• output: 2 mV / V excitation at rated load cell capacity

• non-linearity: 0.02 % of rated output

• hysteresis: 0.02 % of rated output

• non-repeatability: 0.01 % of rated output

• overload: safe 150% of rated capacity, ultimate 300% of rated capacity

Page 2 Milltronics L-300 – INSTRUCTION MANUAL 7ML19985EQ01

Connection

• Flexible conduit to customer’s junction box

Wiring

• 6 conductor #20 (0.5 mm2) shielded cable, or equivalent, for cable runs less than 150 m
(500 ft)

• 8 conductor #20 (0.5 mm
ft) to 300 m (1000 ft)

2

) shielded cable, or equivalent, for cable runs from 150 m (500

Classification

•CE

• For use in hazardous areas, use IS barrier strips (see your Siemens Milltronics
representative for details

7ML19985EQ01 Milltronics L-300 – INSTRUCTION MANUAL Page 3

Installation

The L-300 flowmeter system includes:

• main body (flowguide and sensing plate housing assembly)

• sensing plate (complete with mounting hardware)

• calibration pulley

• calibration weights

• calibration weight cable

• electronic integrator (ordered separately)

Install the Milltronics L-300 flowmeter in an area that is suitable for the system
classification rating. Position the flowmeter to permit opening the housing doors for
sensing plate access.

Installing the Flowmeter

Make sure the flowmeter inlet and outlet mounting surfaces are free from excessive
vibration.

1. Position the flowmeter into the desired location.

2. If necessary, shim the housing base to level the flowmeter.

3. Fasten the housing discharge to the downstream material chute.

4. Fasten the flowguide to the material infeed chute.

Note: Provide sufficient mechanical support for the flowmeter and chutework.

5. Install the sensing plate. Refer to the appropriate instruction manuals for levelling,

sensing plate installation and integrator interconnection instructions.
If the sensing plate has been shipped already installed, remove the shipping blocks
on the lower surface of the sensing plates.

Page 4 Milltronics L-300 – INSTRUCTION MANUAL 7ML19985EQ01

Sensing Plate Mounting Details

dynamic beam

Load cell (2)

hex bot M8-1.25 x 25
(4) Hex nut M8-1.25 (4)
Flatwasher ø8 (8)
(Factory set)

Cable
cable (2) (Both
cables must be
left taut)

S.S hex nut M6-1 (4) with set
screw (Factory set)

C

sensing plate (Install by
positioning ball of each cable
and then fixing sensing late
to dynamic beam). Top of
sensing plate must be level
in two planes.

calibration pin
(TYP)

socket head cap
screw M12-1.75x25 (8)
Lockwasher ø12(9)

static beam

hex screw M6-1 x 35(4)
hex nut M6-1(4)(set on both
sides for negative deflection of –
20 mV and a positive deflectin of
+30 mV, with 10 V DC excitation)

calibration pulley (secure
with M6 socket head cap
screws

calibration weight
(applied to
calibration pin with
calibration cable

sensing plate fixing bolts M12-1.75
x C/W M12 lockwasher

7ML19985EQ01 Milltronics L-300 – INSTRUCTION MANUAL Page 5

Dual Load Cell Balance

Verify the load cell signal balance before the initial start up of the flowmeter. Repeat this
procedure when one or both load cells are replaced.

Remove the cover plate on the back of the flowmeter and identify load cell “A” and load
cell “B”. When doing the load cell balance, as described in the integrator manual,
suspend a test weight from calibration position “B” and “A” as required using the
calibration pulley.

Follow the balancing instructions provided in the integrator instruction manual.

Calibration

Calibration weights are normally supplied with the Milltronics L-300. The following is the
basis for determining the weight(s) value in t/h for initial calibration. The value of the
calibration weight will be different after material tests have been completed and the
calibration factored to the same.

Program and calibrate the flowmeter/integrator system as described in the integrator
manual. However, before a system can be calibrated, a calibration weight should be
selected. The mass of this weight is based on a nominal value of 45 g per t/h1 and should
be selected for 60 to 80% of the design flowrate.

Example:

Design rate = 300 t/h
Test rate to equal 70% of design rate
Test weight value = 300 t/h x 70% = 210 t/h
Test weight mass = 210 t/h x 45 g per t/h = 9.45kg

With the calibration weight selected, the integrator can be programmed and the system
calibrated as described in the integrator manual. For span calibration purposes, the
calibration weight should normally be applied at the center position.

After calibration, remove the calibration pulley and replace the cover plate. If possible,
perform material tests after calibration to verify the accuracy of the span calibration.

Material Tests

After installation, perform a material test using a known amount. Run the material
through the flowmeter and check the flowmeter integrator totalized value against the
known amount.

Use the manual span adjustment feature in the flowmeter integrator to make
adjustments for greatest accuracy.

1.

Free flowing, high velocity, granular products such as wheat and corn will pro­duce higher g per t/h forces.

Page 6 Milltronics L-300 – INSTRUCTION MANUAL 7ML19985EQ01

Applications

Note: For best performance and limited maintenance requirements, keep in mind

material compatibility and flow patterns.

Materials

Material characteristics for best results:

• Low cohesion (flows well through chutes angled 50° or higher, similar to a liquid)

• Low adhesion (does not stick to surfaces)

• Low abrasion (will not wear out chutes, flowguide or sensing plate)

• Low causticity (will not damage internal flowmeter components)

Most materials with low moisture content have excellent flow and adhesion
characteristics. In processes where material moisture content varies, select a flowmeter
location where the moisture content is lowest. Sensing plate and flowguide non-stick
linings are often used for fertilizer, wheat flour, sugar, and other materials with similar
properties.

Abrasive materials are best monitored at low velocity. Sensing plate and flowguide
abrasion resistant linings are often used for alumina, asbestos, barley, corn, limestone,
soya beans, wheat, and other materials with similar hardness and particle mass.

Standard flowmeter components are resistant to chemical reaction with most materials.
Special paint or coatings on exposed flowmeter components are often used for carbide,
fertilizer, phosphate, salt, sodium chloride, urea, and other materials with similar
properties.

The L-300 is best applied to free flowing, granular material that will not re-crystalize and
build up in the presence of moisture or high humidity.

Material Feed

Ideal material infeed characteristics:

• constant and relatively low material velocity

• uniform material flowrate (not pulsing)

• negligible air flow through the flowmeter

• flowguide 17 to 50 % full during operation

For best results, use material from an elevated bin, gravity fed to the flowmeter. If the
material is to be monitored after some process has been performed, choose the feeder
device that provides the most consistent material flow.

Use a reverse flowguide transition when high or variable velocity feeder material
discharges are anticipated. Refer to Flowmeter Infeed Chutes on page 9. Position the
flowmeter discharge chute so material cannot back up into the flowmeter housing.

For heavily pulsing feeder discharges, at less than 1 pulse per second, consult your local
Siemens Milltronics representative.

7ML19985EQ01 Milltronics L-300 – INSTRUCTION MANUAL Page 7

Screw Conveyor

short pitch

double flight

Rotary Feeder

Bucket Elevators

• most common type of material feeder

• short pitch and/or double flight screws preferred to
reduce the batch size (and increase the frequency) of
the material discharge pulse, or cut back the flights of a
standard screw so it ends before the discharge opening

• use reverse flowguide transition for variable operating
speeds or constant speeds above 40 rpm

• provides an air seal between the upstream and/or
downstream process, and the flowmeter

• required if the material is pneumatically conveyed or
flowmeter/process isolation is required

• use reverse flowguide transition for variable operating
speeds or constant speeds above 10 rpm

• commonly used for grain applications

• feeder discharge damping required when slow
elevators (typically chain drive) produce heavily pulsing
material discharge

• use deadbox if required to reduce material velocity from
fast elevators (typically re-inforced belt drive)

Conveyor Belt

material

discharge

Drag Conveyor

Vibratory Feeder

motor

vibrating pan

baffle

• produces a non-pulsing material discharge

• reverse flowguide transition (and/or material discharge
baffle) often required for variable belt speeds or
constant speeds in excess of 1 m/s (200 feet/minute)

• operates at a constant (and relatively low) velocity

• reverse flowguide transition not normally required but
use feeder discharge damping or a discharge baffle to
minimize the pulsing material discharge

• produces a non-pulsing material discharge

• use reverse flowguide transition for variable speed
varieties

Page 8 Milltronics L-300 – INSTRUCTION MANUAL 7ML19985EQ01

Flowmeter In-Feed Chutes

The flowmeter in-feed chute delivers the material from the bin or feeder discharge to the
flowmeter flowguide. The ideal in-feed chute pre-conditions the material flow to minimize
the effect of abrasion, velocity variation, feeder discharge trajectory variation, and
pulsing.

Feeder/Flowguide Transition

• reverse flowguide transition reverses direction of the
bin or feeder material discharge before the material
enters the flowmeter flowguide

• reversing direction forces the material into a desirable
flow pattern rather than permitting material to be flung
from the feeder, directly into the flowguide

• transition is especially important for high or variable
speed feeders

ShortFall Chute

<0.6 m (2ft)

Long Fall Chute

>0.6m (2ft)

baffle plate

• forward flowguide transition maintains the material in
the same direction between the bin or feeder discharge
and the flowmeter flowguide

• transition is acceptable for a low and constant velocity
feeder

• if a forward flowguide transition must be used for a high
or variable speed feeder application, install a baffle
plate

• material in-feed chute where the bin or feeder
discharge to flowmeter flowguide fall is less than 0.6 m
(2 ft)

• material velocity due to gravity minimumized

• chute centreline and angle should coincide with that of
the flowguide, for a distance greater than or equal to
the flowguide diameter (before the flowguide inlet)

• material in-feed where the bin or feeder discharge/
flowguide fall is more than 0.6 m (2 ft)

• less desirable than the short fall chute because material
velocity is greater, increasing flowmeter component
abrasion

• greater distances after chute angle changes required to
settle material into desirable flow patterns

7ML19985EQ01 Milltronics L-300 – INSTRUCTION MANUAL Page 9

Dogleg

• used to reduce the detrimental effect of high or variable
material velocity, especially when using a long fall
chute

motor

• for abrasive materials, line the chute with an abrasion
resistant material, or use an in-feed deadbox

Deadbox

• installed where the chute angle changes. This will
cause the material to impact upon itself, rather than the
chute surface.

• used when the feeder discharge velocity is high,
variable, where long fall chute angles change, and if the
material is particularly abrasive

Pulsing Feeder Discharge Damping

• install a temporary holding bin to receive pulsing
material discharge from a feeder. Then the material is
gravity fed from the bin to the flowmeter flowguide.

• provide manual or automatic control to ensure the
holding bin is neither emptied nor overfilled while the
feeder is in operation.

• bin could also be used for the integrator on-line
calibration, (if so equipped). Refer to the integrator
instruction manual for bin requirements.

top view

slats

Knife Gate

bin

opening
direction

baffle

conveyor
discharge

• for drag conveyors, use a baffle plate installed at the
conveyor discharge to reduce the heavy material
pulsing associated with this type of feeder

• For knife gates which supply on-off control from
supply bins or silos, open as shown in relationship to
flowguide.

Page 10 Milltronics L-300 – INSTRUCTION MANUAL 7ML19985EQ01

In-Feed/Discharge Air Pressure

• If a material in-feed/discharge differential air
pressure is anticipated and rotary airlock

To common
dust collector

feeders are not used, vent the in-feed and
discharge chutes to a common dust collector.

• Install a tuning gate in each vent to balance the
air pressure.

• If a dust collector is not used, install an air
bypass chute between the flowmeter in-feed
and discharge chutes.

L-300 Outline and Details

Flowmeter Details

hex head bolt M12-

1.75 x 25 (12 )
lockwasher ø12 (12)

latch (TYP)

Flowguide with gasket

connectors

conduit (2 m)

load cell leads

load cell labels (2)

housing (cabinet)

hinge (TYP)

enclosure with doors
and hardware

Flowmeter details are continued on the next page.

7ML19985EQ01 Milltronics L-300 – INSTRUCTION MANUAL Page 11

Cover Plate: Remove for calibration pulley mounting

socket head cap screw M5-0.8 x 15 (6)
Lockwasher ø5 (6)

C

load Cell ’B’

calibration position ’B’

load cell ’A’

calibration position ’A’

normal calibration
pulley position

Page 12 Milltronics L-300 – INSTRUCTION MANUAL 7ML19985EQ01

Outline Dimensions

Notes:

• mild steel or stainless steel construction

• flowmeter should be rigidly supported with discharge flange level

• any modification or change should be approved by Siemens Milltronics

A

D

B

C ins

F

G

E

F

400 mm

(15.75”)

800 mm

(31.5”)

D

JJ JJ

I

K

H

flowguide

housing
(cabinet)

access door
(typ).

sensing plate

min. distance 600 mm
(24”) (typ.)

354 mm

(13.9”)

infeed discharge

50°

1000 mm

(39.4”)

585 mm

(23”)

325 mm

(12.8”)

650 mm

(25.6”)

load cell
(x2)

915 mm

(36”)

A 600 mm (23.62”)

O

O

N

P

O

O

H

B 560 mm (22.1”) 4 equal spaces
C 50 0 mm (19.69”)
D 20 mm (0.79”)
E 400 mm (15.75”)
F 180 mm (7.09”)
G 300 mm (11.81”)
H 14 mm (0.55”) diameter holes
I 900 mm (35.43”)
J 175 mm (6.89”)
K 160 mm (6.3”)
N 750 mm (29.53”)
O 145 mm (5.71”)
P 130 mm (5.12”)

7ML19985EQ01 Milltronics L-300 – INSTRUCTION MANUAL Page 13

Wiring

Note: When installing the L-300 in a hazardous area, use suitable intrinsically safe

barrier strips.

load cell A load cell B

S

R
E
D

EXC

+

B
L
A
C
K

EXC

W

G
H
I
T
E

SIG

SIG

+

W

R

H

E

I

E

T

N

E

SIG

H

G

I

R

E

E

L

E

D

N

SIG

+

Maintenance

Checks

If material sticks to the sensing plate, incorporate a program to ensure that the
impingement area remains clean. If sticking persists, contact your Siemens Milltronics
representative.

Check for wearing of the sensing plate. If wear is excessive, contact your Siemens
Milltronics representative.

Unit Repair and Excluded Liability

All changes and repairs must be done by qualified personnel and applicable safety
regulations must be followed. Please note the following:

• The user is responsible for all changes and repairs made to the device.

• All new components must be provided by Siemens Milltronics Process
Instruments Inc.

• Restrict repair to faulty components only

• Do not re-use faulty components.

Page 14 Milltronics L-300 – INSTRUCTION MANUAL 7ML19985EQ01

Index

A

About the L-300 1
Abrasion Resistant Linings

examples

Applications

considerations 7

7

B

Balance

dual load cells 6

C

Calibration

example
information 6

Clearance

installation considerations

Components

list 4

6

D

Dual Load Cells

balancing 6

F

Flowmeter

component list

Flowmeter Integrator

feature list 1

1

I

In-Feed/Discharge Air Pressure

information 11

Installation Considerations

clearance

Installing the L-300

procedure

4

4

L

L-300

detail diagrams
outline diagrams

11

11

M

Material Feed 7

ideal characteristics

Materials

considerations

7

7

N

Non-Stick Linings

examples

7

S

Sensing plate

mounting details

5

4

Special Paint or Coatings

examples

7

Notes

Notes

www.siemens-milltronics.com

Siemens Milltronics Process Instruments Inc.
1954Technology Drive, P.O. Box 4225
Peterborough, ON, Canada K9J 7B1
Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

Siemens Milltronics Process Instruments Inc. 2003

Subject to change without prior notice

Rev. 1.0

*7ml19985EQ01*

Printed in Canada