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Level Measurement Level Measurement

The document discusses methods for measuring liquid level in industrial processes. There are two main methods: direct and indirect. Direct methods measure the level of the liquid directly using tools like sight glasses or floats. Indirect methods measure a variable related to the liquid level, like hydrostatic pressure, electrical properties, or ultrasonic sensing. Common direct methods are sight glasses, float-operated gauges, and torque tube displacement gauges. Common indirect methods are pressure gauges, air purge systems, and diaphragm boxes for hydrostatic pressure measurement.

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Mourougapragash Subramanian
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277 views6 pages

Level Measurement Level Measurement

The document discusses methods for measuring liquid level in industrial processes. There are two main methods: direct and indirect. Direct methods measure the level of the liquid directly using tools like sight glasses or floats. Indirect methods measure a variable related to the liquid level, like hydrostatic pressure, electrical properties, or ultrasonic sensing. Common direct methods are sight glasses, float-operated gauges, and torque tube displacement gauges. Common indirect methods are pressure gauges, air purge systems, and diaphragm boxes for hydrostatic pressure measurement.

Uploaded by

Mourougapragash Subramanian
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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LEVEL MEASUREMENT

LEVEL MEASUREMENT

In modern manufacturing industries which use many solvents, chemicals, steam and
other liquids and in power plants which use vast amount of water, the accurate
measurement of liquid level is very essential.
LIQUID LEVEL MEASUREMENT
•      Generally, there are two methods used in industries for measuring liquid level.
 These are
1. Direct Method
2. Indirect Method
•      Direct method use the varying level of the liquid as a mean of obtaining the
measurement and the indirect method use a variable that changes with the liquid level
to accurate the measuring mechanism.
1. DIRECT METHOD
This is the simplest method of measuring liquid level. In this method, the level of the
liquid is measured directly by means of the following level indicators
 i. Sight Glass / Gauge Glass
ii. Float Type / Float - Operated Level Gauges
iii. Torque Tube Displacer / Float Displacement Type Level Gauges
SIGHT GLASS / GAUGE GLASS
Sight glass is used for the continuous indication of liquid level within a tank or vessel. A
sight glass instrument consists of a graduated tube of toughened glass which is
connected to the interior of the tank at the bottom in which the water level is
required.

                    Fig. 1                                                    Fig. 2


•       Fig.1 shows a simple sight glass for an open tank in which the liquid level in the sight
glass matches the level of liquid in the tank. As the level of liquid in the tank rises and
falls, the level in the sight glass also rises and falls accordingly. Thus, by measuring the
level in the sight glass, the level of liquid in the tank is measured. In sight glass, it is
not necessary to use the same liquid as in the tank. Any other desired liquid also can be
used.
•      Fig.2 shows a high pressure sight glass in which measurement is made by reading the
position of the liquid level on the calibrated scale. This type of sight glass in high
pressure tanks is used with appropriate safety precautions. The glass tube must have a
small inside diameter and a thick wall.
Advantages
•      Direct reading is possible
•      Special designs are available for use up to 316°C and 10000 psi.
•      Glassless designs are available in numerous materials for corrosion      resistance.
Disadvantages
•      It is read only where the tank is located, which is not always convenient.
•      Overlapping gauges are needed for long level spans
•      Accuracy and readability depend on the cleanliness of glass and fluid
FLOAT DISPLACEMENT TYPE LEVEL MEASUREMENT
•      These instruments work on the Archimedes principle according to which a body when
placed in a liquid is buoyed up by a force equal to the weight of the displaced liquid, and
the apparent change in weight of the body is directly proportional to the level of liquid
in which it is placed.
•      Torque tube is the most commonly used device for this purpose.
•      The displacer is attached to a torque tube assembly whose rotary motion is used for
read out/control.
•      Otherwise, this instrument is rugged and simple in construction and reliable in
operation. With selection of suitable material for float, float cage, and torque tube, it’s
possible to use this instrument over a wide range of pressure and for many liquids.

Float Displacement Type Level Measurement


Advantages
•      High accuracy
•      Reliable in clean liquids
•      Can be mounted internally or externally (external mounted unit can be disconnected
for maintenance)
•      Adaptable to liquid interface measurement
Disadvantages
•      Limited range, devices exceeding 1.2m in length are bulky and difficult to balance
•      Cost increases appreciably for externally mounted units as pressure ratings increase
•      External units may require stilling chambers
    2.INDIRECT METHODS
Following are the indirect methods of liquid level measurement generally used in
industries.
1.   Hydrostatic pressure type
2.   Electrical methods
3.   Ultrasonic level sensor
i. HYDROSTATIC PRESSURE TYPE
Hydrostatic pressure methods used for liquid level measurement are listed below.
1.    Pressure gauge method
2.    Air purge system
3.    Diaphragm box type
4.    Torque balance type
a. Air purge system
Air purge (bubbler tube) is one of the most popular hydrostatic pressure types of liquid
measuring system which is suitable for any liquid as shown in fig.

Advantages
•      Pressure gauge can be placed above or below the tank level and can be kept as far
away as 500 ft (12.7m) from the tank with the help of piping.
•      Well - suited for measuring the corrosive/abrasive liquid.

b. DIAPHRAGM BOX METHOD


The diaphragm box liquid level meter is shown in fig. and consist of two flanges in
between which is contained a diaphragm element made of rubber or oil resistant
synthetic composition.

Advantage
•      Where it is necessary to prevent contact b/w liquid and diaphragm, the box may be
installed in a well outside the tank and the well is communicated to the tank with an
impulse piping. The impulse piping and the well are filled with an inert liquid.
Disadvantage
•      The main disadvantage is that the head developed is not sufficient to meet up the line
losses as well as for a satisfactory indication. Hence ranges are quite limited.
PRESSURE TO CURRENT CONVERTER

P/I converter or Pneumatic pressure-to-Current is a transducer.It converts pressure

input to a current in mili ampere range.P/I converter is a common instrument in

automation system. Like a temperature senor or level sensor it transmit data to to

other source like PLC, instrument to control systems only here the input is pressure.

lets say we have to control a valve that is to open it, shut it, or control the openings by

percentage that is we may choose it to be open for 70% to control a fuel flow or steam

flow. The valve is in a hazardous place so we can not reach it, we can only observe this

in SCDA(supervisory control and data acquisition).

To control first thing first, we have to know its initial position. So how we may know it-

the percentage openings? This can be done by a P/I converter. If we place it in the

vicinity of valve, it can easily monitor the pressure of working liquid or steam, then

convert this to current in mili amps, which can be easily feed to PLC’s to avail an out put

pressure, valve openings etc and can be feed to any other devices like SCDA etc.

So P/I converter converts pressure to current, say if we set 0 to 6 bar for 4-20 mili

amps current, in case of 0 bar pressure there will be 4 miliamps current in the P/I

converter out put and for 6 bar there will be 20 mili amp current. Plus for 3 bar, we

have to calculate the associated pressure as follows {X/(20-4)} mili amps={3/(6-

0)}=.5*16=8; As 0 bar is equals to 4 miliamp current, then the final result will be

4+x=4+8+12 miliamps for 3 bar pressure.

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