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Dusty silo level measurement can fail only during pneumatic filling, or it can deteriorate gradually over repeated cycles. Those patterns point to different investigations. Airborne dust, the incoming stream and deposits on the antenna can all affect echoes, but changing a filter will not identify which condition is responsible.
Compare Filling, Settling and the Next Cycle
Keep the radar trend with the fill start and stop times, material identity and any available echo diagnostics. Observe whether a valid surface reading returns after airborne dust settles, or whether the problem remains into the next quiet period. Also check for a changing material peak: a different local surface can cause a real distance change.
| Pattern | Inspect | Test limit |
|---|---|---|
| During fill | Stream intersection, airborne dust and surface formation. | A quiet-silo test does not establish tracking during filling. |
| After settling | Persistent echo loss or a different target. | Do not assume all remaining error is caused by dust in the air. |
| Across cycles | Progressive lens buildup and material changes. | One successful batch does not define a cleaning interval. |
| After cleaning | Lens condition and repeated operating behaviour. | Improvement supports a deposit contribution but does not prove it was the only cause. |
Dusty Silo Level Measurement With MV-RD21
METRAVON MV-RD21 uses 80 GHz radar and a 76 mm PTFE lens for bulk solids. Its nominal beam angle is 3 degrees. A narrow beam helps position the measurement path, but it does not make every dust cloud transparent or eliminate deposits. Confirm the selected range and nozzle arrangement for the actual silo.
Aim away from the incoming stream where the approved layout allows. Retain a rigid mounting position so a comparison before and after cleaning is not confused by a changed target. If the lens is inspected, use the site's isolation and access procedure and the approved cleaning method; do not improvise scraping or a compressed-air purge.
Do Not Trade Visibility for a Smooth Trend
Longer filtering can suppress jumps while delaying a genuine rising level. Compare the required response during maximum filling with the demonstrated signal behaviour. Where measurement becomes invalid, the controller should recognise that state rather than present the last value as a current surface position.
Define acceptance across the worst intended filling condition and the normal quiet state. Record any untested material or fill rate as a limitation. A catalogue distance-accuracy figure does not prove that the correct surface echo will be maintained under every dust condition.
Dust and Maintenance Questions
Q1. Does recovery after stopping the fill prove dust was the cause?
No. The incoming stream and surface motion also stop or change. Compare the echo and process observations before assigning a cause. Repeating the same controlled sequence helps distinguish a consistent pattern from a coincidental recovery.
Q2. Can a purge connection be assumed to be included?
No. Request confirmation of any cleaning accessory and its permitted installation. The standard model description does not establish an included purge system or an approved purge pressure.
Summary
Submit filling trends, material details and lens-condition records with an MV-RD21 enquiry. Distinguishing airborne conditions from accumulated deposits leads to a more useful installation or maintenance decision than simply asking for a radar that works in dust.
