Jiwei MINI Radar: Smart, Compact, and Accurate Level Measurement
1. Liquid Level Measurement: A “Seemingly Simple” Challenge
In industrial automation systems, Jiwei MINI radar level meters may seem like a small device, but they play a crucial role in liquid level measurement, directly affecting production safety, material management, and energy efficiency. Whether in water treatment plants, chemical workshops, food storage tanks, or pharmaceutical equipment, monitoring small tank levels determines key control actions such as “how much to fill,” “when to replenish,” and “whether overflow occurs.”
In the past, many companies used float level meters, pressure level meters, or ultrasonic level meters. These devices are inexpensive and simple in principle, but often unstable in complex environments. For example:
- Ultrasonic signals are easily disturbed by foam on the liquid surface.
- Pressure-based measurement is affected by temperature changes or tank pressure fluctuations.
- Floats can stick, requiring frequent maintenance.
As equipment becomes smaller and automation more advanced, companies seek a more stable, easier-to-install measurement solution. This is where the Jiwei MINI radar level meter comes into play.
2. Jiwei MINI Radar: Small Device, Accurate Sensing
The Jiwei MINI radar level meter is a non-contact measurement instrument based on high-frequency microwave reflection. It emits radar waves, receives the reflection from the liquid surface, and calculates the liquid level based on signal travel time.
Compared to traditional instruments, the Jiwei MINI radar has three significant advantages:
- Strong anti-interference: unaffected by temperature, pressure, vapor, or dust.
- Flexible installation: compact size allows mounting on small tank tops.
- Accurate and durable: measurement precision up to ±1mm, maintenance-free service life over 10 years.
Crucially, it uses the 80GHz high-frequency, producing a narrow beam suitable for confined spaces and highly reflective liquids such as oils, acids, alkalis, and aqueous solutions.
3. Real Cases: “Smart Upgrades” from Food Plants to Wastewater Stations
Case 1: Soy Sauce Tanks in a Food Factory, Jiangsu
The factory had 36 small 2000L soy sauce tanks. They originally used float level meters, but high salt content and heavy steam caused frequent float sticking, reading errors, and signal drift. In 2023, the factory installed Jiwei MINI radar meters on the tank tops, integrated into the PLC system. Measurement error reduced from ±15mm to ±1mm, and operator inspection frequency decreased by ~60%.
Case 2: Reaction Tank Monitoring at a Wastewater Station, Zhongshan, Guangdong
The station previously used ultrasonic level meters, but bubbles and water mist caused frequent false alarms. After switching to Jiwei MINI radar, level data became stable, response time dropped to 0.5s, and automatic drainage pumps could operate without manual intervention.
These cases show that Jiwei MINI radar improves measurement accuracy while significantly enhancing automation and reducing manual involvement.
4. Why Small Tanks Need MINI Radar Most
Small tanks have limited space, complex internals, and sometimes include agitators or flow guides, requiring high measurement precision. Traditional ultrasonic, float, and pressure-based methods are limited under these conditions.
Advantages of Jiwei MINI radar:
- Compact size: installation space requires only a few tens of millimeters.
- Non-contact measurement: corrosion-resistant, no direct contact with the medium.
- Intelligent compensation: automatically corrects temperature drift and signal noise.
- Wide applicability: suitable for chemical, food, water treatment, pharmaceutical, and coating industries.
Radar measurement relies on physical reflection, independent of liquid conductivity or density, making it compatible with various media:
- Food industry: milk, soy sauce, syrup
- Chemical industry: acids, alkalis, resins, oils
- Water treatment: wastewater, reclaimed water, sludge
5. Comparison with Traditional Methods
| Measurement Type | Accuracy | Maintenance | Susceptible Factors | Suitable Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Float | ±10mm | High | High viscosity, impurities | Open-top tanks, clean water |
| Pressure | ±5mm | Medium | Temperature, pressure changes | Atmospheric tanks |
| Ultrasonic | ±5mm | Medium | Foam, vapor, gas | Non-volatile liquids |
| Jiwei MINI Radar | ±1mm | Low | Almost none | Various liquids, small sealed tanks |
The data show that Jiwei MINI radar outperforms other types in precision, adaptability, and maintenance cost, making it one of the most cost-effective solutions for small-tank smart measurement.
6. Cost and Benefit: One Radar Saves a Year of Maintenance
Some companies consider radar level meters more expensive than ultrasonic solutions. However, in terms of lifecycle cost, Jiwei MINI radar offers clear advantages:
- No regular cleaning or calibration required, reducing labor.
- Stable data, minimizing material loss due to production errors.
- Integrable with automation systems for remote monitoring and alarms.
- Product life over 3 years, annualized cost lower than ultrasonic solutions.
For example, the food factory mentioned above recovered the investment within six months simply from reduced inspection labor and error-related losses.
7. Future Trends: Small Radar, Big Potential
With industrial intelligence and IoT development, radar level measurement is moving toward smarter and lighter solutions.
Future Jiwei MINI radar trends:
- Integrated communication modules: Bluetooth, WiFi, or 4G data upload.
- Cloud management platform: remote monitoring and data analysis.
- AI self-learning algorithms: automatically detect medium changes and optimize signal curves.
- Domestic substitution: core chips and algorithms independently controllable, further reducing cost.
This means that whether for large chemical plants or small-to-medium environmental equipment, accurate liquid level monitoring can be achieved at lower cost.
8. Conclusion
From “tapping the tank to hear the level” to “radar automatic sensing,” liquid level measurement technology is making industrial sites safer and more efficient.
Jiwei MINI radar level meter, with its “small size, big intelligence”, is becoming the mainstream choice for small tank level monitoring. In the coming years, it is expected to become the most promising “small sensor star” in industrial automation upgrades.