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Currently,
industries use several different types of sensors to detect levels of fluids
and help stop overflows. These sensors may be used to measure the level of
fluids in a container or in a natural environment such as a lake. Fluid level
measurement occurs in several ways. In the immersion method, for example, the
capacitance of the sensor circuit changes as it is immersed in fluid, thus
changing the frequency response as the fluid level rises or falls. Fluid level
can also be measured from the outside of a non-conductive container. The
response frequency from the sensor is dependent upon the inductance of the
container plus the combination of fluid and air inside it, which corresponds to
the level of liquid inside the container. Other types of more efficient sensors
that are used by industry, such as optical level switches and magnetostrictive
tank-gauging switches, offer high accuracy but at a higher cost.
STUDY GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
iRAP’s goal in conducting this study was to
determine the current status of the worldwide market for level sensors and to
assess its growth potential over the five-year period from 2012 to 2017. The
report focuses on key industry applications of level sensor technology in the
U.S., Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia.
In addition, the report addresses the market potential for new emerging
level sensor technologies. The key objective was to present a comprehensive analysis
of the current level sensor technology market and its future direction.
REASONS FOR DOING THE STUDY
Level
sensors are one of the largest applications for sensor technology in the world
today. For that reason, this report looks at the different level sensor
applications and examines their growth potential. Another focus is the types of
technologies types currently in use and their specific applications.
Over
the past several years, iRAP has
examined the sensor technology industry.
Within this period, sensors technology used in level measurement has
taken diverse configurations. As a consequence, the use of this technology is
changing with time. Therefore, this report contains a thorough and detailed
analysis of this technology and project its growth potential.
CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE STUDY
This
report includes a study of current level sensor device markets and emerging
level sensor technology markets. The
report analyzes the level sensor technology industry economic environment,
technological descriptions and issues, applications, market factors and potential, and projected growth trends for the years 2012 and
2017. The report also projects market
values and the distribution of level sensor technologies by major market
segments. This study will be of interest
to the level sensor manufacturing industry and their distributors,
manufacturers and suppliers of measurement sensing devices, sensor system
developers and manufacturers in general, and research institutions. It will
also be of interest to sensor software development companies, as well as sensor
hardware device producers, semiconductor device manufacturers, and electronic
component manufacturers.
SCOPE AND FORMAT
The
scope of this study encompasses an investigation of the markets for the
following level sensor technologies and product categories: ultrasonic,
capacitance radio frequency (RF), conductive, hydrostatic, magnetostrictive,
radar, industrial, visual, point detection, continuous monitoring, contact
level, non-contact level, optical, and laser level sensors. This report analyzes each technology
application type, determines its current market status, examines its impact on
future markets, and presents forecasts of growth over the next five years. Technological issues, including the latest
trends, are discussed.
This
report analyzes the industry on a worldwide basis, from both manufacturing and
demand points of view, in the major regions of the world.
REPORT SUMMARY
The
level sensor industry has experienced sustained growth in the last decade and
is likely to continue this growth into the next decade because of the increased
usage of level sensors components in a variety of industrial applications. The
expansion of the level sensor market is stimulated to large degree by the
expanding oil production, water and wastewater, pulp and paper, and chemical
industries.
With
new applications that have evolved in recent years, the level sensor market
continues to develop. Hence, modest but continued growth in the level sensor
market over the next five years is expected.
Major findings
of this report are:
- The Asian
region is the area of the world offering the most opportunities for growth
in the global level sensor market – a trend that is expected to continue
through 2017. Asia is expected to exhibit growth that exceeds some of the
world’s most vibrant markets of the Americas and Europe by expanding at a
rate of 6.2% annually. This exceptional growth trend is expected to
prevail throughout the dynamic markets of the Asian region.
- This
study also reveals that Europe will experience reasonable growth of an
estimated 5.0% in the demand for level sensors. The intensity of demand
for flow devices in Europe is expected to be quite significant.
- The
Americas flow level sensor market, led by the U.S., is expected to be the
most dynamic market in the coming years, exhibiting a strong market growth
phase. The overall level sensor market in The Americas is expected to grow
at 4.9% annually.
- The
emerging markets of the Middle East and Africa are estimated to be
stronger than Europe and The Americas. In the five years, while Africa
will see a growth rate of 5.8%, the Middle East will see a growth rate of
5.6%.
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