Several different industries, including oil, gas, and utilities, use level gauges to measure the amount of liquid in a vessel. One of the most important and widely used types of gauges is the reflex glass.
What Are Reflex Level Gauges Used For?
When you store or process a liquid, it’s important to monitor and maintain the liquid at a safe level.
A boiler is one example of a vessel that must be observed at all times through a boiler glass for changes in the water level. The reason is the water in a boiler is placed under extreme pressure and heated up to create steam. This steam is converted into heat for industrial complexes and many other types of buildings. But it can also pose an enormous danger if it gets out of control.
If the water level in the boiler gets too high, or even too low, serious problems can occur. Overflowing water can damage equipment and burn nearby workers. Low water levels can expose the boiler’s heating element and cause an explosion, which poses a huge safety risk for employees working in the area.
Reflex level gauges are used on boilers, as well as oil tanks and other vessels that hold liquid at a high temperature and high pressure. They indicate the level of the interior fluid so that if there is an imbalance, it can be corrected before disaster strikes.
Some gauges are not suitable for different types of liquid, but reflex glasses are highly versatile and are used to measure oil, as well as water and corrosive fluids.
How Does A Reflex Level Gauge Glass Work?
Reflex level gauge glasses use prisms and rays of light to measure the level of liquid in a container.
The glass’s exterior features prismatic grooves with a 90-degree section angle. These are essential for the reflection and refraction of light, as you will see below. The interior of the glass is divided between two zones: one for liquid and one for gas or vapor.
The gauge is constructed so that when light touches the glass, the prism bends it at a 45-degree angle. The critical angle for liquid/glass is always superior to 45 degrees. When the light hits the glass surrounding the liquid zone, the light refracts and is absorbed. Thus, the liquid zone glass looks almost black in color.
When light strikes the gas/vapor zone at a 45-degree angle, on the other hand, the rays are reflected back out. The reason for this is that 45 degrees is superior to the critical angle for gas/vapor. As a result, the glass encasing this zone emits a bright silver light. For this reason, the gauge does not need to be illuminated by a lamp during the day.
The stark difference in color and brightness between the two zones allows the observer to easily monitor the liquid level in the vessel.
What Should I Look For In A Reflex Glass?
If you’re interested in purchasing a reflex glass, you should make sure it adheres to international safety standards. Not only should it be manufactured from high quality tempered borosilicate, it should also be designed properly so that it can fulfill its prismatic function.
Below are three things you should look for in a reflex glass.
1. Manufactured In Accordance With DIN 7081
Sight glasses of all types, including reflex gauges, must be manufactured in accordance with DIN 7081. This is the standard established by the German Regulatory Institute, or DIN in German. It ensures that the glass meets several regulations, including dimensional parameters, resistance to pressure, chemical composition, the characteristics of the reflector prisms, the parameters of tolerances regarding parallelism, and required acceptance tests.
In summation, a reflex glass that adheres to DIN 7081 is the safest option for you to purchase.
2. Resistant To High Temperatures
Your reflex glass should be resistant to high temperatures, at least up to 280 degrees C. If you need it for a vessel that reaches higher temperatures than 208 degrees C, you should look for reflex glass that is reinforced with mica shields. The mica shields protect it from breaking under the strain of extreme heat.
3. Made With Tempered Borosilicate
Make sure that your reflex level gauge is made with tempered borosilicate glass. By itself, borosilicate is strong, but the tempering process made it even sturdier and less prone to breaking. It is essential that your reflex glass does not break under the high temperatures and pressures you subject it to.
Zight’s Reflex Level Gauge Glass Is The Perfect Solution
Zight’s reflex level gauge glass is the ideal gauge for your vessel. It adheres to DIN 7081 regulations, is resistant to consistent high temperatures up to 280 degrees C, and is made with tempered borosilicate. It is durable and resistant to cracking, and it will help you take an accurate reading of the liquid levels you need to maintain.
Purchase your own here.