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Level Transmitter and Level Gauge Design Tips

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Level Transmitter and Level Gauge Design Tips

Level / Vessel Sketches

What is this ?

Level sketch or vessel sketch is the drawing prepared by Instrumentation engineer to show
various Level instruments nozzle details (Flange size, rating) on vessels / drums, their
elevations which is used as input for Mechanical – Static (Vessel) Engineers for further
engineering of vessel / drums.

Why this is prepared ?

This is prepared as an input document to Mechanical – Static (Vessel) department so that

instrumentation interface is clear and documented.

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Who benefits ?

It benefits both department engineers as interface details are documented and any changes are
tracked as document will be revised.

Disadvantages / Advantages ?

Disadvantages :

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For smaller project, if no of equipment are very less (such as 1 or 2) preparing this document

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would consume more efforts compared to large scale projects.

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Advantages :

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The interface between two disciplines is streamlined and there is no scope for difference in
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inputs and information. The changes will always be traceable. If ambiguity is found, this can be
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documented and corrected.
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What are basic inputs required ?

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P&ID (Design level),

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IPDS (Design level),

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Mechanical data sheet (Design level),

Piping Specification (Design level),
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Instrumentation Design Basis (Design level),

Client / Process Licensor Specific requirements
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What are different types of vessels ?

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What can be different type of instruments put on vessels?

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Level Transmitter (Contact / Non-Contact type)

Level – Differential Pressure Transmitter
Level Gauge (Magnetic, Transparent, Reflex)

Different combinations you can have on vessel (Stand pipe / direct nozzle)

The Level Instrument nozzle can be directly installed on vessel.

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Figure 1 – Level Transmitter and Level Gauge Directly Mounted on equipment

Stand pipes are used for installing the level instruments.

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Figure 2 – Level Transmitter and Level Gauge Mounted on Stand Pipe

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It is generally based on no of instruments to be put on single vessel as it is not advisable to

puncture vessels for many instrument nozzles. This will be governed by project specifications,
process requirements and client guidelines.

Standpipes are generally used in following scenarios –

Multiple Level Gauges

More than 3 no instruments on same equipment
Project specifications

What all information to show ?

Equipment Details –

Vessel Tag no.

Nozzle Nos,
Elevations (in mm preferable),
Tank Lines (Lower & Upper)
Zero elevation line (either from TL or at other reference point),
Piping Specification, material

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Process Details –

Process fluid,
Specific Gravity or Density,
Alarm Levels (Low, Low Low, High, High High)
Process & design conditions (Pressure & Temperature),

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Instrument Details –

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Instrument tag no,

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Type of instruments (Radar, DP Level Transmitter, Magnetic Level Gauge),
C – C (Center to center) distance in mm preferably,
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Isolation Valves and sizes,
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Drain & Vent valves and sizes,
Scope Breaks (Instrumentation, Piping, Static),
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Traced Lines (Steam / Electrical)/ Jacket Lines,

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Instrument Nozzle size, connection, rating, Elevations in mm preferably,

Stand Pipe, size and connection details
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What not to show

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Other than Level Instrumentation Nozzles, other instruments nozzle such as Pressure /
Temperature, Inlet, outlet nozzles, Nozzle orientation
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Example: Single Level Transmitter & Single Level Gauge on a Vessel

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Single Level Transmitter & Single Level Gauge

Service – Water
HLL = 1400 mm
HHLL = 1200 mm
LLL = 350 mm
LLLL = 300 mm
Density – 1000 kg/m3, Specific gravity – 1

Low Low Level should be at 10% of Transmitter Range (Subject to project specifications)

High High Level Should be at 90% of Transmitter Range (Subject to project specifications)

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So based on the above guideline, different combinations can be tried to finalise the Transmitter
Nozzle elevations.

Bottom Elevation (HP Tap) : 150 mm (Refer Tip in the above diagram)

Top Elevation (LP Tap) : 1550 mm

Hence C-C Distance : 1400 mm

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Transmitter Range = (HP Tap Elevation – LP Tap Elevation) * Sp Gravity

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Transmitter Range = (1550 mm -150 mm) * 1 = 1400 mm

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Hence Select Transmitter Range : 0 – 1400 mm
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Calculate LL Level of Level Transmitter
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With This, LL level will be at @ 10.7% i.e.

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LL Level of LT = [(300 mm – 150mm) / 1400 mm] * 100 = 10.71%

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Calculate HH Level of Level Transmitter

And HH Level will be at @ 89.28%. i.e.

HH Level of LT = [(1400 mm – 150mm) / 1400 mm] * 100 = 89.28%

Level Gauge Nozzle elevations can be at same elevation as it covers full transmitter Range.

Tip – The bottom nozzle elevation is at 150 mm due to welding at TL point of vessel, wherein
welding thickness is @ 80 – 100 mm, Nozzle centre is at 150 mm and nozzle size is generally
2” for Transmitters due to which Instrument nozzle welding may clash with Vessel shell welding
joints. Hence it is recommended to use 150 mm as general guidelines for bottom elevations.

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In case it is required to go below 150 mm due to Low level alarm values, first discuss with
process group if the alarm value can be changed and shifted towards upward side or discuss
with client if LL alarm value at below 10% is acceptable or discuss with vessel engineer / group
if nozzle elevation below 150 mm is possible.

Article Written by :
Nilima singh
Instrumentation and control Engineer
13 year experience in Detail engineering

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Worked on various Refinery, Oil & Gas, Petrochemical and chemical projects

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