Scribd
Upload
10 views32 pages

Chapter 3 - Level

Uploaded by

Rex Martin Bagasol
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
10 views32 pages

Chapter 3 - Level

Uploaded by

Rex Martin Bagasol
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 32

Chapter 6 - Level

Chapter Objectives

This chapter will help you understand the units used in level
measurements and become familiar with the most common
methods of using the various level standards.

Topics discussed in this chapter are as follows:

 The difference between direct and indirect level measuring


devices
 The difference between continuous and single-point
measurements
 The various types of instruments available for level
measurements
 Application of the various types of level sensing devices
Most industrial processes use liquids such as water,
chemicals, fuel, and the like, as well as free flowing solids
(powders and granular materials). These materials are
stored in containers ready for on-demand use.

It is, however, imperative to know the levels and


remaining volumes of these materials so that the
containers can be replenished on an as needed basis to
avoid the cost of large volume storage.
Introduction

This chapter discusses the measurement of the level of


liquids and free flowing solids in containers. The detector is
normally sensing the interface between a liquid and a gas, a
solid and a gas, a solid and a liquid, or possibly the interface
between two liquids. Sensing liquid levels fall into two
categories; firstly, single-point sensing and secondly,
continuous level monitoring. In the case of single-point
sensing the actual level of the material is detected when it
reaches a predetermined level, so that the appropriate action
can be taken to prevent overflowing or to refill the container.
85
Continuous level monitoring measures the level of the liquid on
an uninterrupted basis. In this case the level of the material
will be constantly monitored.

Level measurements can be direct or indirect; examples of


these are using a float technique or measuring pressure and
calculating the liquid level.
Level Formulas

Pressure is often used as an indirect method of measuring liquid


levels. Pressure increases as the depth increases in a fluid. The
pressure is given by

Δρ = ƴ Δh

where;
Δ᷉ρ= change in pressure
ƴ = specific weight
Δh = depth

Note the units must be consistent, i.e., pounds and feet, or newtons
and meters
Buoyancy is an indirect method used to measure liquid levels. The level
is determined using the buoyancy of an object partially immersed in a
liquid. The buoyancy B or upward force on a body in a liquid can be
calculated from the equation

B = ƴ × area × d

where area is the cross-sectional area of the object and d is the


immersed depth of the object.
Capacitive probes can be used in nonconductive liquids and free flowing
solids for level measurement.

Many materials, when placed between the plates of a capacitor,


increase the capacitance by a factor m called the dielectric constant of
the material.
Level Sensing Devices

There are two categories of level sensing devices.

1. Direct sensing, in which case the actual level is monitored,


2. Indirect sensing, where a property of the liquid such as pressure is
sensed to determine the liquid level.
Direct Level Sensing

Sight glass (open end/differential) or gauge is the simplest method for


direct visual reading. As shown in Fig. 6.2 the sight glass is normally
mounted vertically adjacent to the container. The liquid level can then
be observed directly in the sight glass.
Floats (angular arm or pulley) are shown in Fig. 6.3. The figure shows
two types of simple float sensors. The float material is less dense than
the density of the liquid and floats up and down on top of the material
being measured.
A displacer with force sensing is shown in Fig. 6.5a. This device uses the
change in the buoyant force on an object to measure the changes in
liquid level. The displacers must have a higher specific weight than that
of the liquid level being measured and have to be calibrated for the
specific weight of the liquid.
Probes for measuring liquid levels fall into three categories, i.e., conductive,
capacitive, and ultrasonic.

Conductive probes are used for single-point measurements in liquids that are
conductive and nonvolatile as a spark can occur.

Capacitive probes are used in liquids that are nonconductive and have a high m and
can be used for continuous level monitoring.
Ultrasonics can be used for single point or continuous level measurement of a liquid or a
solid. A single ultrasonic transmitter and receiver can be arranged with a gap as shown in
Fig. 6.7a to give single-point measurement. As soon as liquid fills the gap, ultrasonic
waves from the transmitter reach the receiver. A setup for continuous measurement is
shown in Fig. 6.7b.
Indirect level sensing

The most commonly used method of indirectly measuring a liquid level is to measure the
hydrostatic pressure at the bottom of the container.

Bubbler devices require a supply of clean air or inert gas. The setup is shown in Fig. 6.8a.
Gas is forced through a tube whose open end is close to the bottom of the tank. The
specific weight of the gas is negligible compared to the liquid and can be ignored. The
pressure required to force the liquid out of the tube is equal to the pressure at the end of
the tube due to the liquid.
Radiation methods are sometimes used in cases where the liquid is
corrosive, very hot, or detrimental to installing sensors. For single-point
measurement only one transmitter and a detector are required. If
several single-point levels are required, a detector will be required for
each level measurement.
Resistive tapes can be used to measure liquid levels. A resistive element
is placed in close proximity to a conductive strip in an easily
compressible nonconductive sheath; the pressure of the liquid pushes
the resistive element against the conductive strip, shorting out a length
of the resistive element proportional to the depth of the liquid. The
sensor can be used in liquids or slurries, it is cheap but is not rugged or
accurate, it is prone to humidity problems, and measurement accuracy
depends on material density.
Load cells can be used to measure the weight of a tank and its contents.
The weight of the container is subtracted from the reading, leaving the
weight of the contents of the container. Knowing the cross-sectional area
of the tank and the specific weight of the material, the volume and/or
depth of the contents can be calculated. This method is well suited for
continuous measurement and the material being weighed does not come
into contact with the sensor.

A load cell, which is also known as a force sensor or force transducer, is a


sensor that measures force by converting the input of mechanical force
into the output of an electrical signal. As the force is applied to the
sensor, its electrical output signal can be measured, converted, and
standardized. The input force can vary between load, weight, tension,
compression, or pressure, and it can only be measured by a sensor that
is designed to calculate that type of force.
Figure 6.10a shows a cantilever beam used as a force or weight sensor.
The beam is rigidly attached at one end and a force is applied to the
other end, a strain gauge attached to the beam is used to measure the
strain in the beam, a second strain gauge is used for temperature
compensation.
Figure 6.10b shows a piezoelectric sensor used to measure force or
weight. The sensor gives an output voltage proportional to the force
applied.
Paddle wheels driven by electric motors can be used for sensing the level
of solids in the form of power, grains, or granules. When the material
reaches and covers the paddle wheel, the torque needed to turn the motor
greatly increases. The torque can be an indication of the depth of the
material. Such a set up is shown in Fig. 6.11a. Some agitation may be
required to level the solid particles.
End…

You might also like