Automation machinery manufacturing company, KROHNE, has introduced two new radar FMCW level transmitters, OPTIWAVE 1530 and OPTIWAVE 1560, designed to deliver reliable, non-contact level measurement for both solids and liquids. The technology addresses a wide spectrum of applications, including fertilizer and chemical storage tanks, grain silos, feed bunkers, irrigation reservoirs, and wastewater treatment systems.
Engineered to operate efficiently across diverse environmental conditions, the transmitters are suitable for small to tall silos, narrow tanks, stockpiles, and vessels with internal obstructions, ensuring measurement accuracy in both liquid and solids.
Optimized Range and Application Flexibility
The KROHNE’s OPTIWAVE 1530 is designed for short-to-medium measuring ranges of up to 15 m (49.2 ft), making it ideal for compact silos, bunkers, or liquid storage units. The KROHNE’s OPTIWAVE 1560 extends this capability to 30 m (98.4 ft), addressing large silos, tall water tanks, and deep storage pits used in agricultural operations. Both models deliver long-term, drift-free operation without recalibration, minimizing maintenance needs and total cost of ownership.
Durable Design
Built for durability in field conditions, both models incorporate fully potted electronics that protect internal components from dust, condensation, vibration, and mechanical shocks, factors common in agricultural and farmyard environments. The concave PVDF lens antenna, resistant to chemicals and designed with a self-draining surface, prevents material buildup and ensures consistent radar performance, even when exposed to humidity or residue.
A narrow four degree beam angle enhances precision in confined spaces, such as feed silos or fertilizer tanks, by avoiding interference from walls or fittings. High dynamic range performance ensures reliable readings even with dusty feedstock, foamy fertilizers, agitated liquids, or low-reflectivity materials, maximizing operational uptime and accuracy in on-farm processes.
Simplified Installation and Remote Monitoring
Installation is streamlined with a three inch threaded connection that fits standard agricultural tank and silo flanges, preventing protrusion into nozzles and avoiding measurement interference. For outdoor or extreme conditions, an IP68-rated waterproof version offers protection against rain, dust, and potential flooding, a practical feature for open-field or storage yard applications.
Commissioning and monitoring are simplified through Bluetooth connectivity and the OPTICHECK Level Mobile app, which allows farm technicians to configure the transmitter remotely from ground level, eliminating the need to climb silos or tanks. Step-by-step guided setup via pre-configured templates supports rapid deployment across different agricultural use cases, while HART communication ensures seamless integration with digital farm management systems.
Continuous self-diagnostics via KROHNE’s OPTICHECK technology and on-site verification tools minimize downtime. The built-in Tank Bottom Management algorithm helps eliminate false echoes, maintaining accuracy even when tanks are nearly empty, a valuable function for liquid fertilizer or pesticide management systems. Each device includes a 5 m cable, carries a three-year warranty, and is compatible with various accessories such as brackets, flanges, and weather shields.
Flow Measurement for Fluids and Bioresources
In parallel, KROHNE’s OPTIMASS 2400 Coriolis mass flowmeter is supporting fluid measurement in agricultural processes involving biofuels, oils, irrigation water, and organic slurries. Originally integrated within Lease Automatic Custody Transfer (LACT) units in oil systems, its robust and accurate measurement capabilities .
Also read: Italian Funding Firm Launches Novagria Ventures to Scale AgriFood Supply Chain
Historically, fluid transfer systems in agricultural processing plants have relied on orifice plates, turbine meters, or positive displacement flowmeters, which often require recalibration due to viscosity fluctuations and particulate matter. The KROHNE’s OPTIMASS 2400, with its straight-tube design, eliminates these challenges by reducing mechanical wear and maintaining consistent performance even with dense or particulate-rich biofluids.
Adaptability and Operational Efficiency
The KROHNE’s device provides custody transfer mass flow measurement compliant with AGA standards, integrating density monitoring for real-time insight into material quality, useful for assessing fertilizer mixtures or bio-oil purity. The Entrained Gas Management (EGM) feature ensures stable readings even when air or gas is trapped in fluid lines, a frequent issue in irrigation and slurry applications.
Unlike turbine meters that require regular recalibration, the KROHNE’s OPTIMASS 2400 performs continuously across viscosity and flow variations. It offers direct mass flow measurement without drift, reducing maintenance cycles and eliminating the need for constant calibration. The integrated Bluetooth and OPTICHECK diagnostics allow on-site verification and real-time system health checks, simplifying farm-level process control.
Technical Specifications and Connectivity
Supporting flow measurement for both gases and liquids up to 4,600 t/h, the flowmeter maintains reliable operation under variable gas fractions and flow conditions. It complies with OIML R117, MI-005, and MI-002 standards, and offers multiple communication interfaces, including HART 7, Modbus, Profibus-PA/DP, PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, and Bluetooth. The available flange sizes range from DN100 to DN400 (4–16″) with pressure ratings up to PN160/ASME Cl 1500, suitable for both plant-based and industrial-scale agricultural setups.
Towards Data-Driven Operations
With the introduction of OPTIWAVE 1530 and 1560 radar level transmitters and the deployment of the OPTIMASS 2400 Coriolis flowmeter, KROHNE is expanding precision measurement capabilities to address essential needs in storage management, irrigation monitoring, fertilizer dosing, and wastewater handling, supporting a move toward data-driven, automated, and resource-efficient farm systems.