Basic Instrument

INTRODUCTION

I
nstrumentation is the art of measuring the value of some plant parameter, pressure, flow, level or
temperature to name a few and supplying a signal that is proportional to the measured parameter. The
output signals are standard signal and can then be processed by other equipment to provide indication,
alarms or automatic control. There are a number of standard signals; however, those most common in a
more plant are the 4-20 mA electronic signal and the 20-100 kPa pneumatic signal.

At this section is going to deal with the instrumentation equipment normal used to measure and provide
signals. We will look at the measurement of five parameters: pressure, flow, level, temperature, and
neutron flux.

This section contains are include about instrumentation equipment like :

1. Pressure
2. Flow
3. Level
4. Temperature
5. Neutron Flux

Generally we will be able to:

Pressure
• explain the basic working principle of pressure measuring devices, bourdon tube, bellows, diaphragm,
capsule, strain gauge, capacitance capsule;
• explain the basic operation of a differential pressure transmitter; • explain the effects of operating
environment (pressure, temperature, humidity) on pressure detectors;
• state the effect of the following failures or abnormalities: over-pressuring a differential pressure cell or
bourdon tube; diaphragm failure in a differential pressure cell; blocked or leaking sensing lines; and loss
of loop electrical power.

Flow
• explain how devices generate a differential pressure signal: orifice, venturi, flow nozzle, elbow, pitot
tube, annubar;
• explain how each of the following will affect the indicated flow signal from each of the above devices:
change in process fluid temperature; change in process fluid pressure; and erosion.
• identify the primary device, three-valve manifold and flow; transmitter in a flow measurement
installation; state the relationship between fluid flow and output signal in a flow control loop with a
square root extractor;
• describe the operation of density compensating flow detectors;
• explain why density compensation is required in some flow measurements;
• state the effect on the flow measurement in process with abnormalities: Vapour formation in the throat,
clogging if throat by foreign material, Leaks in HI or LO pressure sensing lines;

Level
• explain how a level signal is derived for: an open vessel, a closed vessel with dry reference leg, a closed
vessel with wet reference leg;
• explain how a DP cell can be damaged from over pressure if it is not isolated correctly;
• explain how a bubbler derives level signal for an open and closed tank;
• explain the need for zero suppression and zero elevation in level measurement installations;
• describe the effects of varying liquid temperature or pressure on level indication from a differential
pressure transmitter;
• explain how errors are introduced into the DP cell signal by abnormalities: leaking sensing lines, dirt or
debris in the sensing lines;

Temperature
• explain the principle of operation of temperature detectors: RTD, thermocouple, bimetallic strip &
pressure cylinders;
• state the advantages and disadvantages of RTDs and thermocouples
• state the effect on the indicated temperature for failures, open circuit and short circuit;

Flux
• state the reactor power control range for different neutron sensors and explain why overlap is required:
Start-up instrumentation, Ion Chambers, In Core detectors;
• explain how a neutron flux signal is derived in a BF3 proportional counter;
• explain the reasons for start-up instrumentation burn-out;
• explain how a neutron flux signal is derived in an ion chamber;
• state the basic principles of operation of a fission chamber radiation detector;
• state and explain methods of gamma discrimination for neutron ion chambers;
• explain how the external factors affect the accuracy of the ion chambers neutron flux measurement: Low
moderator level, Loss of high voltage power supply, Shutdown of the reactor;
• describe the construction and explain the basic operating principle of in-core neutron detectors;
• explain reactor conditions factors can affect the accuracy of the in core detector neutron flux
measurement: Fuelling or reactivity device movement nearby, Start-up of the reactor, long-term
exposure to neutron flux, Moderator poison (shielding);
• explain the reasons for power control using ion chambers at low power and in-core detectors at high
power;