E+H Soliwave FDR16 Microwave Barrier Receiver

Non-Contact Microwave Barrier Limit Detection with Endress+Hauser Soliwave FDR16

The Endress+Hauser Soliwave FDR16 is a high-performance microwave barrier receiver engineered for non-contact point level detection, conveyor chute blockage monitoring, and container positioning in bulk material handling operations. Operating as part of a transmitter-receiver barrier pair (alongside the matching Soliwave FDT16 transmitter), the FDR16 identifies when a focused microwave beam is interrupted or attenuated by passing bulk solids, coarse aggregates, or powders. This non-invasive operating mechanism makes it an ideal solution for challenging industrial processes where high temperatures, mechanical abrasion, extreme pressures, or aggressive dust prevent internal sensor installation.

Advanced Non-Invasive Microwave Technology

Operating in the microwave spectrum, the Soliwave FDR16 detects high-frequency pulses transmitted across the container, pipe, or chute. Because microwave energy penetrates non-metallic, non-conductive wall materials (such as sight glasses, PTFE plugs, plastic windows, or ceramic plates), the FDR16 can be mounted entirely on the exterior of the vessel. When bulk material fills the space between the transmitter and receiver, the microwave signal strength drops below a preset threshold, causing the FDR16 receiver to trigger its switching output. This completely non-contact operation guarantees zero mechanical wear, zero pressure loss, and total immunity to internal vessel conditions.

Key Performance Features & Operational Advantages

• Completely Non-Invasive Sensing: Mounts externally behind non-conductive sight windows, insulating the device completely from abrasive, corrosive, or high-temperature media inside the vessel.

• Immune to Extreme Airborne Interference: Operates reliably through heavy dust clouds, steam, fog, acoustic noise, airborne particles, and material scaling that cause optical, ultrasonic, or mechanical switches to fail.

• Adjustable Sensitivity & Delay Times: Features local sensitivity adjustment and selectable signal delay, allowing fine-tuning to differentiate between thin dust streams and true material blockages.

• Rugged Weatherproof Enclosure: Built with a heavy-duty field housing rated IP66 / NEMA 4X, designed to withstand mechanical shock, structural vibration, outdoor weather, and harsh industrial environments.

• Explosion-Proof & Dust Approvals: Available with international ATEX, IECEx, and CSA explosion-proof certifications for safe installation in hazardous dust-explosion zones (Zone 20/21/22) and gas atmospheres.

Versatile Industrial Bulk Material Handling Applications

The Soliwave FDR16 excels in applications where traditional contact-type probes fail due to material impact or mechanical abrasion. It is widely utilized for high-level alarm detection in aggregate hoppers, chute jam monitoring in mining conveyor systems, truck/wagon positioning at loading terminals, and fill-level monitoring in high-dust agricultural or chemical silos.

Applications 

• Mining, Minerals & Cement: Aggregate hoppers, crusher chute blockage monitoring, clinker silos, fly ash ducts, and coal bunkers.

• Chemical & Petrochemical Industry: Non-contact level detection in reactors, toxic powder bins, fertilizer silos, and plastic resin hoppers.

• Wood, Paper & Renewable Energy: Wood chip chutes, sawdust collection bins, biomass fuel hoppers, and pellet conveying lines.

• Food Processing & Agriculture: Grain silos, sugar storage bins, animal feed hoppers, and flour transfer chutes.

• Logistics & Automated Material Handling: Truck and railcar positioning detection, container counting, and bag fill monitoring.

Technical Specifications

Parameter / Feature	Specification Details
Operating Principle	Non-contact Microwave Barrier Receiver
System Partner	Pairs with Soliwave FDT16 transmitter
Maximum Operating Distance	Up to 100 m (328 ft) depending on installation environment
Process Media	Bulk solids, powders, granules, coarse aggregates, containers
Ambient Temperature	-20 °C to +60 °C (-4 °F to +140 °F)
High-Temperature Adaptation	Unlimited process temperature when mounted behind ceramic/glass windows
Process Pressure Range	Dependent on process window rating (Unpressurized at sensor head)
Supply Voltage	20 to 253 V AC/DC or 18 to 30 V DC
Signal Output	Relay contact (SPDT changeover) or PNP solid-state switch
Housing Materials	Die-cast aluminum or robust polymer
Ingress Protection	IP66 (NEMA 4X)
Hazardous Approvals	ATEX, IECEx, CSA C/US, EAC Ex (Dust-Ex Zone 20/21/22)

Key Features & Benefits

• Non-Contact Outside-Tank Installation: Eliminates sensor wear, chemical corrosion, and pressure seals by mounting behind non-metallic process windows.

• Dust & Steam Immunity: Microwave signal passes effortlessly through heavy airborne dust, steam, and material buildup without false switching.

• Long Operating Range: Capable of bridging distances up to 100 meters across large silos, bunkers, or open conveyor bays.

• Adjustable Switching Threshold: Customizable sensitivity ensures precise switching for low-density powders or heavy rocks.

• Explosion-Proof Certified: Fully rated for hazardous dust atmospheres in mining, grain, and chemical processing facilities.

FAQ 

Q1: Does the Soliwave FDR16 work as a standalone unit?

Answer: No, the Soliwave FDR16 is a microwave receiver that operates as part of a barrier pair together with a matching microwave transmitter (such as the Soliwave FDT16).

Q2: Can the FDR16 detect materials inside high-temperature or high-pressure vessels?

Answer: Yes, because microwaves pass through non-metallic materials, the FDR16 can be mounted externally behind quartz glass, ceramic, or PTFE windows, completely insulating the sensor from extreme internal vessel conditions.

Q3: How does airborne dust or material buildup on vessel walls affect the FDR16?

Answer: The microwave signal easily penetrates dust clouds, steam, and moderate non-conductive material buildup on sight glasses, preventing false switching.

Q4: What mounting options are available for the Soliwave FDR16?

Answer: The FDR16 can be mounted via threaded process connections, mounting brackets, or alignment flanges to ensure precise beam alignment with the transmitter.

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