What products are involved in this article?
SRD Inline density and viscosity meter.
 
What is the purpose of this article?
To give an overview of the SRD inline density and viscosity meter with GEA Varinline connection, its uses, and installation options.



1. Overview

SRD is a Rheonics sensor for inline density and viscosity measurement. Read more on SRD here.

The Varinline flush version of the SRD inline density and viscosity meter, as shown in Figure 1, is used to mount the sensor probe into different kinds of GEA Varinline housings which are used for the installation of hygienic instruments. 

SRD sensor with Varinline process connection can use GEA housings to remove dead zones around the sensing element, ensuring easy cleaning and sterilization through standard CIP (Clean in place) procedure. For example: 

  • GEA Housings - T, allows the SRD to be installed in-line in smaller pipes (DN25 minimum) than those available with other process connections, without the use of Rheonics flow cells. 

  • GEA tank connection flange - P, allows a flush installation of the SRD in tanks.

  • GEA Housings connection flange - U and US, allows installations of the SRD in Tee or elbows.

The SRD Varinline has an EHEDG certification on the process connection size B, F, N, and G. You can find the certificate here.

Suitable GEA housings or installation options for the SRD Varinline sensor:

  • GEA Housing DIN 11850 - DN25

  • GEA Housing DIN 11850 - DN50 or bigger

  • GEA Housing Sight glass

  • GEA tank connection flange

Figure 1. SRD-X4 Varinline probe dimensions.

Figure 1. SRD-X4 Varinline probe dimensions.


2. Installation examples

2.1 GEA Housings (Type T) 


2.1.1 DIN11850 DN25 - Inline flow cell DN25(IFC-V25)

This solution allows users to install the SRD EHEDG-certified sensor with Varinline process connection in 1” lines using GEA Varinline housing. SRD is installed perpendicular to the flow. Using GEA’s Varinline housing DN25, and a custom plug provided by rheonics (IFC-V25-PLG).


SRD - Varinline Hygienic Installation Example
Description
Supplier
Order code
Drawing
3D model
Inline density and viscosity meter - SRD
Rheonics
SRD-X4-V25-B Varinline F
Varinline Housing DN25*
GEA 
TDN25
Custom plug 
Rheonics
IFC-V25-PLG


*Compatible with:

  • ISO 1127 - 21.3

Figure 2. Flush installation example in DN25 Varinline Housing.

Figure 2. Flush installation example in DN25 Varinline Housing.

Figure 3. Flush installation drawing of SRD in DN25 Varinline Housing.

Figure 3. Flush installation drawing of SRD in DN25 Varinline Housing.

 


2.1.2 DIN11850 DN50 or bigger

The SRD can be installed in a Varinline housing equal to or bigger than DN50 with standard plugs. The design of the Varinline housing ensures no dead zones around the sensor, leading to good flow around the sensing element.


SRD - Varinline Hygienic Installation Example
Description
Supplier
Order code
Drawing
3D model
Inline density and viscosity meter - SRD
Rheonics
SRD-X4-B Varinline N
Varinline Housing DN50*
GEA 
TDN50


*Compatible with:

  • ISO 1127 - 42.4

  • ASME - BPE - OD 2”

  • IPS - 2”

Figure 4. Flush installation drawing of SRD in DN50 Varinline Housing.

Figure 4. Flush installation drawing of SRD in DN50 Varinline Housing.


If you have a housing DIN11850 DN80 or bigger you can use the SRD short, so the sensing element is closer to the middle of the pipe since it is longer than the SRD-X4, as is shown in the following image. 


SRD - Varinline Hygienic Installation Example
Description
Supplier
Order code
Drawing
3D model
Inline density and viscosity meter - SRD
Rheonics
SRD-X2-B Varinline N
Varinline Housing DN80*
GEA 
TDN80


*Compatible with:

  • ISO 1127 - 60.3

  • ASME - BPE - OD 3”

  • IPS - 3”
    Figure 5. Short installation drawing of SRD in DN80 Varinline Housing

Figure 5. Short installation drawing of SRD in DN80 Varinline Housing


2.1.3 Varinline Sight glass

The sight glass allows you to see the inside of the pipe without disassembling the sensor, it is useful when manual monitoring is desired to see if the SRD probe is clean or if it has deposits/fouling.


SRD - Varinline Hygienic Installation Example
Description
Supplier
Order code
Drawing
3D model
Inline density and viscosity meter - SRD
Rheonics
SRD-X4-B Varinline N
Varinline Housing DN50
GEA 
TDN50
Varinline Sight glass 
GEA 
TXIAN-50


Figure 6. Flush installation drawing of SRD in DN50 Varinline Housing with sight glass.Figure 6. Flush installation drawing of SRD in DN50 Varinline Housing with sight glass.


2.1.4 Varinline Sight glass - concentric reducers

Following the previous point, we can add concentric reducers to the housing ports (e.g. DN50-DN38 reducers), as in Figure 6, to mount the sensor in smaller lines. You can weld the concentric reducers to the line or use Tri-clamp ferrules for easy disassembly.

Figure 7. Flush installation drawing of SRD in DN50 Varinline Housing with sight glass and concentric reducers.Figure 7. Flush installation drawing of SRD in DN50 Varinline Housing with sight glass and concentric reducers.

2.2 GEA Tank connection flange (Type P)

The SRD can be installed in the Varinline tank connection flange which is welded into vessels with a wall thickness up to 20 mm to avoid dead zones in a hygienic installation.


SRD - Varinline Hygienic Installation Example
Description
Supplier
Order code
Drawing
3D model
Inline density and viscosity meter - SRD
Rheonics
SRD-X4-B Varinline N
Varinline tank connection flange
GEA 
TPN


Figure 8. Example of the Varinline tank connection process.Figure 8. Example of the Varinline tank connection process.

Figure 9. Exploded view of assembly example with Varinline tank connection flange.

Figure 9. Exploded view of assembly example with Varinline tank connection flange. 


Another installation option for the tank connection flange is using an SRD Long Insertion probe, this is very useful when you need a longer immersion of the sensing element in the tank. 

Figure 10. Exploded view of assembly example with Varinline tank connection flange and SRD Long insertion probe.

Figure 10. Exploded view of assembly example with Varinline tank connection flange and SRD Long insertion probe. 


2.3 Other Varinline process connections

The SRD Long insertion probe is compatible with Varinline housings connection flanges F, N, G type U and U-S, useful for installation in Tee or elbow pipes.


SRD - Varinline Hygienic Installation Example
Description
Supplier
Order code
Drawing
3D model
Inline density and viscosity meter - SRD
Rheonics
SRD-X5-A131-B Varinline N
Varinline connection flange U-S
GEA 
TU-SN


Figure 11. SRD Long insertion probe with Varinline housing connector flange U-S in tee pipe.

Figure 11. SRD Long insertion probe with Varinline housing connector flange U-S in tee pipe.


Figure 12. SRD long insertion probe in the Varinline housing connection flange type U-S.

Figure 12. SRD long insertion probe in the Varinline housing connection flange type U-S. 


3. What is Varinline?


VARINLINE is a trademark of GEA for a range of in-line control and measurement technology for hygienic process connections. It allows the installation of control and measuring instruments in piping systems without any dead spaces, which is important in applications where hygiene is critical, such as the food and beverage industry.

VARINLINE housings are available for all pipe sizes and can accommodate a variety of instruments, including pressure gauges, temperature sensors, and flow meters. The housings are self-draining, which helps to prevent the build-up of contaminants. They are also CIP/SIP-able, which means that they can be cleaned and sterilized without the need to dismantle them.

VARINLINE is a popular choice for a variety of hygienic process applications, including:

  • Food and beverage processing

  • Pharmaceutical manufacturing

  • Biotechnology

  • Cosmetics production

  • Water treatment

It is a reliable and cost-effective solution for the monitoring and control of process parameters in hygienic environments.

Here are some of the benefits of using VARINLINE:

  • Hygienic design: VARINLINE housings are designed to prevent the build-up of contaminants, making them ideal for use in hygienic environments.

  • CIP/SIP-able: VARINLINE housings can be cleaned and sterilized without the need to dismantle them, which helps to ensure the safety and quality of the product.

  • Wide range of applications: VARINLINE is a versatile solution that can be used in a variety of applications, including food and beverage processing, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and biotechnology.

  • Reliable and durable: VARINLINE housings are made from high-quality materials and are designed to withstand the harsh conditions found in industrial environments.

If you are looking for a reliable and cost-effective solution for the monitoring and control of process parameters in hygienic environments, VARINLINE is a good option to consider. Rheonics provides EHEDG certified inline process viscometer SRV and inline process density meter SRD with Varinline process connection to work with GEA Varinline adapters. The sensors are also available with EX certifications where needed. Standard sensors are available in Stainless steel 316L and for corrosive environments in Hastelloy C22.


Resources


[1] GEA Varinline Webpage.

[2] Varinline catalog and dimensions.

[3] Rheonics SRD sensor.

[4] Rheonics EHEDG certification.

[5] Learn more about EHEDG.

[6] Inline process viscometer SRV with Varinline flange - options and installation


Disclaimer

Pictures, photos, and images used are for illustration purposes and do not constitute any warranty or assertions on the suitability of use and should not be construed as an explicit or implicit recommendation or endorsement. All illustrations are given proper credit from our source of access and by their use here we do not specify or establish any copyright which belongs and stays unaffected with the existing copyright holder of that material.




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