FLUID LEVEL MEASUREMENT

Presented by
Abhishek Gupta
Bachelor of Technology [ Electronics and Instrumentation Engineering]
IET LUCKNOW 226021

INTRODUCTION

Level sensors detect the level of liquids and other fluids and fluidized solids, including
slurries, granular materials, and powders that exhibit an upper free surface.
The level measurement can be either continuous or point values
There are many physical and application variables that affect the selection of the
optimal level monitoring method for industrial and commercial processes.

OLD TECHNOLOGIES

1.Sight Glass
Sight glass is the oldest and the simplest level measurement technology used in industrial environments.

2. Floats

A mechanical device to record its position

DISPLACERS

The column displaces a volume of the fluid due

to a rise in the process fluid.
A buoyant force, whose magnitude is equal to
the product of the displaced volume and the
process fluid density, exerts an upward thrust on
the displacer, which brings down the force
required to support it against the gravitational
force
This change is monitored by the transducer
linked to the transmitter, and translates the
change in force to level.

BUBBLER

The bubbler method is used in vessels that work

under atmospheric pressure
Dry nitrogen is used.
The product of the process fluid density and its
depth from the end of the dip tube to the
surface is equal to the pressure, which is
monitored by a pressure transducer connected
to the tube.

DIFFERENTIAL PRESSURE TRANSMITTER

The difference between the total pressure at the

bottom of the tank and the head or static
pressure in the vessel is indicative of the level.

MAGNETIC LEVEL GAUGE

The float in this case is a set of strong

permanent magnets
The float is laterally confined by the column so it
remains close to the side wall of the chamber.
For this technology to work the chamber walls
and the auxiliary column should be made of
non-magnetic materials

CAPACITANCE LEVEL TRANSMITTER

Capacitance transmitters
are based on the difference in the dielectric
constants () of process fluids and air.
The basic operating principle is based on the
variance in capacitance which itself is based on
the variation in the liquid level.

MODERN TECHNOLOGIES

Time-of-flight (TOF) measurements are used by current liquid-level

measurement techniques.
The distance between the liquid level and a reference point at a sensor or
a transmitter placed near the top of the vessel is measured.
The total travel time is measured by the electronic timing circuit
Technologies like microwaves, ultrasound and light are extremely effective
for such measurements

ULTRASONIC LEVEL TRANSMITTER

Based on the time taken by the ultrasound pulse

to travel from the fluid surface to the transducer
and back
Operational frequency of these transmitters is
tens of kilohertz and the transit times are
approximately 6 ms/m.

LASER LEVEL TRANSMITTER

Designed for level measurements of slurries,

opaque liquids and bulk solids.
These sensors measure the speed of light for
level measurement, instead of the speed of
sound.
Since lasers are virtually beamless and devoid of
false echoes, they can be directed through
spaces as small as 2 inches.

RADAR LEVEL TRANSMITTER

In radar systems, the microwave beam is

directed downward from a horn or a rod antenna
placed at the top of a vessel.
Liquids with Er values of 1.4 and lower can be
measured by this method

CONCLUSION

The use of sophisticated digital electronics is increasing the usefulness of

level measurement and other sensors
Modern level sensors produce reliable results and are easy and less
expensive to setup.
Level measurement can be integrated into existing control systems thanks
to the enhanced communication