Hydraulic Load Cells for Harsh and Corrosive Environments

Across WA, mining operations, coastal infrastructure and chemical processing sites must stand up to unpredictable and corrosive climates. Many standard sensors simply cannot cope, affecting the reliability and accuracy of your monitoring data.

Hydraulic load cells are built differently, holding no electronic components at the measurement point to offer a robust alternative that can stand up to environmental extremes.

In this post, we explain why and how hydraulic load cells deliver consistent performance in unforgiving conditions and how Monitel incorporates them into monitoring solutions across Western Australia. To discuss your project’s requirements, get in touch with our team.

The Harsh Reality of Corrosive Environments

WA projects are no strangers to heat, salinity, dust and chemical exposure. Regardless of their purposes, any monitoring instruments must be resilient to these conditions over long periods of time.

Hydraulic load cells are renowned for exactly that. With a rugged construction and tightly sealed fluid chamber, they’re a go to choice in environments where electrical sensors will almost certainly degrade or fail. Hydraulic load cells excel in:

• Corrosive settings like tailings dams and waste treatment areas

• Remote installations with limited power supply

• High vibration zones

• Ocean adjacent structures where salt and humidity can cause issues

Why Do Hydraulic Load Cells Perform So Well in Extreme Conditions?

Hydraulic load cells have a simple working principle:

1. A load is applied

2. That load compresses an internal diaphragm

3. Subsequently, pressure increases in the fluid filled chamber

4. Data is measured by a remote readout

A hydraulic load cell’s key advantage is that, unlike strain gauge and vibrating wire sensors, its sensing component is separate from the measurement site. That means electronic components are protected from the environment and the unit can be deployed in less forgiving terrain.

Other advantages include the mechanical simplicity, stability in volatile temperatures and the quality of the sensor’s housing and sealing.

When to Choose Hydraulic Over Other Load Cells

By now, you might have an inkling that the hydraulic load cell thrives in scenarios where stain gauge and vibrating wire options often falter. Monitel consultants opt for a hydraulic unit when:

• Power supply or infrastructure is limited

• Equipment corrosion is a major concern

• The project only requires a short to mid term monitoring solution

• The site requires a simplistic installation

A hydraulic load cell might not offer the same precision and automation as other types, but their hardiness makes them a practical solution for harsh conditions.

How Monitel Supports WA Industry with Hydraulic Load Cells

At Monitel, our team understands that, in WA, every project is different. That’s why we design load cell monitoring systems that address site specific risks and account for corrosion dangers. Our deployment history includes:

• Load monitoring on anchors and props

• Bridge bearing assessments

• Tailings dam load tracking

• Pipeline supports

• Temporary structures

Our consultants offer comprehensive services, advising you from sensor selection through to regulatory reporting:

• Sensor selection guidance that accounts for load type, duration and exposure

• Sensor potting and sealing for long term performance and durability

• Integration with pressure transducers and surface readout systems

• Custom enclosures that enable easy access for engineers and protect instruments against site specific corrosion risks

• Connection to Monitel data dashboards or third party systems for remote access and threshold alerts

Selecting Sensors That Work For You

Monitel is proud of its brand and product agnostic approach. We have no allegiance to any one company or sensor and will always guide you toward an option designed to perform in your site’s conditions.

To view our full range of instrumentation, click here.

Enquire Today and Arrange Hydraulic Load Cell Monitoring on Your Site

In harsh conditions and corrosive environments, hydraulic load cells prove their worth every day. Whether you’re building on the coast or dealing with corrosive byproducts, their simplicity and durability will give engineers confidence where other systems fail.

For more information on the price and availability of hydraulic load cells, contact Monitel today.