Sight glass – For inspection of industrial processes
Sight glass – also known as viewing glass, peep hole glass or inspection glass – are used to inspect or monitor a process. It could be a liquid in a container. With sight glass you can look in from the outside and ensure that gases, quantity, temperature, colour or process are acting as desired, while keeping the substance inside the container.
Mirit Glas is a supplier of custom-made glass throughout the Nordics. We can offer same-day delivery if it is very urgent.
Want to hear more about how Sight glas can be the right solution for you, please contact us.
Properties and function
Sight glass is typically used to keep instruments or measuring devices separate from industrial processes and to monitor :
- As a level indicator in liquid substances as oil (controlled with an oil level glass), water (controlled with a water gauge), chemicals or liquid foods (flow gauge) . These can be checked with inspection glass, either as flat glass or sight glass in tubes.
- Solid masses and materials such as grain in a grain silo or cement in a tank.
- Combustion processes with high temperatures, where an inspection glass is needed
- Freezing processes
- As Food Contact Material (FCM). For example in a flow indicator or a level gauge
- Air, gases or heat – possibly under pressure / vacuum (eg a vacuum chamber)
- Many sectors use sight glass. For example the food industry, process industry, pharmaceutical, offshore, marine and transport (cars, boats, ships and aircraft). We supply sight glass to be used in ATEX areas (to monitor explosion safe facilities).
Mirit Glas has supplied sight glasses to companies throughout the Nordic countries since 1952, and contributed to streamline a large number of processes. For example our customer Swire Blue Ocean has saved 75 maintenance days a year by replacing steel plugs with glass from Mirit Glas. The sight glass was mounted in a housing of stainless steel (a flange) that makes it possible to inspect oil levels visually.
Complies with standards
Regardless of which substance is to be inspected via inspection glass, the sight glass is adapted to specific needs and requirements, and is of course manufactured in accordance with approved standards.
-
- Round sight glass: complies with DIN 8902 or DIN 7080
- Sigth glass with curves or rectangular sigth glass: complies with DIN 8903 or DIN 7081
- Sight glass with special processing: Eg special cut-outs or drilling
- Sight glass in other glass materials: Eg quartz glass, sapphire glass or ceramic glass such as Robax or Neoceram
Sight glass from Mirit Glas can be ordered with various certificates, eg Certificate EN 10204 Type 2.2 and Certificate EN 10204 Type 3.1 as well as certificate for food contact material (FCM) according to regulation (EC) No 1935/2004.
We can to produce gaskets in custom sizes and pack these together with the sight glass.
Special customization
Fabricating and special processing is possible at Mirit Glas. For example with an anti-dirt coating, preventing oil and other substances to stick to the glass keeping the process fully visible at all times.
We can also print on the glass if, for example, if an indication of measuring steps is desired. We can bend the glass making the sigth glass curved. The glass can also be processed and cut into shapes or provided with a special edge.
Important questions in choosing the right sight glass
1. Temperatures
DIN 8902 and DIN 8903 can be used at temperatures up to 150 °C and 100 °C. DIN 7080 and DIN 7081 can withstand higher temperatures – up to 280° C. High pressure affects the temperature maximum the glass can withstand
2. Pressure
Mirit Glas has many different glass thicknesses in stock. If we know the diameter and clearance of the glass (the part of the glass that is not covered by the flange), we can find the right thickness so that the glass can withstand the desired pressure.
3. The substance behind the glass
Are there chemicals, oils or anything else in the container? What process is done behind the glass? Glass is generally resistant to most chemicals, but for example steam under pressure is a very aggressive process to ordinary glass, so special precautions must be taken.
4. The application
Why a sight glass? Just to able to look in visually, or does the application require that electronic sensors are able to measure through the glass? In that case, we need to pay attention to the transmission at certain wavelengths.
Tell us your need and we will find a solution
Fill out the contact form below or write to us at post@mirit.dk.
We respond within 24 hours. You can also call us on +45 4494 4449