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The Leakwise® family of Oil on Water Detection systems uses the industry-leading technology of Electromagnetic Absorption, which was developed by the AGAR CORPORATION in the early eighties.

The instruments consist of a very high frequency transmitter connected to a mismatched antenna. The antenna is immersed in the monitored fluids. The higher the energy absorption of the fluid, the more the loading on the antenna, and therefore, more energy which has to be supplied by the transmitter. Water absorbs much more energy than do hydrocarbons and other insulating materials (air, glass, plastic, etc.).

If the antenna is surrounded by air/water mixture, the loading is proportional to the water content. This unique, patented technique enables the measurement of oil/water mixtures over the full range of 0-100%. It also enables continuous measurement of the presence or thickness of a layer of floating on water.

The high frequency transmitter and the antenna are mounted on a patented float, which maintains its position very precisely at the liquid lair interface, despite fluctuations in the liquid level. It has two field adjustable alarm points, for when the sensor detects:

• the presence of hydrocarbons, and

• that the hydrocarbon layer has reached a predefined thickness.

The Leakwise® sensors can detect as little as 0.3mm layer of reliably, repeatedly and without false alarms. It can also monitor on-line changes in oil layer thickness up to 100 mm and more.

Programmable response time of Signal Processor relays enables reliable detection regardless of occasional waves and/or turbulence. A stifling well can be designed for extreme conditions. A Built-in-test feature is continuously monitoring failure-free system operation.