Smart sensor monitors filling levels in salt silos

Winter has begun and with it came a lot of work for road clearing services. Public works departments in cities and municipalities are particularly challenged to salt roads and paths in time, before the ice forms. Therefore, together with VEGA – a leading global manufacturer of sensors, t-matix developed a solution for measuring fill level, limit level and pressure to monitor the levels of the salt silos and thus prevent supply bottlenecks. The new features complement the existing “Winter Service” module.

A pilot project has already been launched in the Smart City Deutschlandsberg: Here, a special sensor was attached to the silo’s roof. The current fill level of the salt silo is transmitted to the t-matix IoT portal and the information obtained is made available to the municipality and the plant operator. Real-time, as well as historical data, can be viewed in the portal and can, for example, be coupled with weather data to estimate future salt consumption.

Should the value reach a predefined threshold, the IoT portal triggers a notification that refilling is required. Supply bottlenecks are avoided, procurement is simplified and processes are optimized.  In addition, the risk of accidents is reduced because no one has to climb onto the silo to check the fill level. The sensor is easy to retrofit and works with NarrowBand IoT, optionally also with LoRaWAN. Battery life is up to 10 years, which significantly simplifies maintenance.

With VEGA, we have a strong hardware partner at our side, with whom we are optimally equipped for the future. The sensor not only covers the area of winter road maintenance but is also suitable for all liquids and bulk solids, regardless of whether the level of waste containers, drinking water wells or diesel tanks is recorded. We are looking forward to our joint cooperation!

Contact: www.vega.com