Measurement

of level by
air purge
method

Instruction
Manual
Manufactured by
Rajesh Scientific Industries
6, M. G. Road, Near St. John's college, Agra 282002
Phones: 0562 2850566, 2856011, +91 9837290266
Fax: 0562 2856011, 2850566 email: rascind@hotmail.com
 Technical Specifications

Water
Tank

V1
LEVEL
Air flow Indicator

V2

Water
Reservoir

Water tank

Height 1 meter.
dia. 10cms.
Material of construction M.S.

Manometer

Type U tube bulb manometer

Manometer fluid Hg.

Air Regulator

Air inlet pressure max. 400psi

Air outlet pressure 2-150psi

Structure

Material of construction MS square pipes

Dimensions 75x60x195cm (LxWxH)
Experiment:

Measurement of liquid level by air purge method.

Theory:

Pressure developed by a liquid head at any point in liquid is given by:

Pliq. = rliq.gh

Where: r - density of liquid.

g - gravitational constant.
h - level height of liquid above point of consideration.

Hence if air is purged through a capillary at the point of consideration. The air
will flow only where air pressure is more than the liquid pressure. Therefore if
air pressure at the outlet of capillary is adjusted is such a manner that flow of
air stops when air pressure in capillary is just equal to liquid level pressure.

This air pressure can be measured by pressure measuring device (Manometer

in this set up). The air pressure under such conditions is given by:

Pair. = rmfgH

Where rmf - Manometer fluid

H - Manometer reading.

Than Pliq. = Pair.

Rliq.gh = rai.gH

rmfH
\ h =
rliq.
By application of the quadratic formula, the denominator of this transfer function can be
written as
H2(s) R
= ..............................(8)
Q(s) (0.38ts + 1) (2.62ts + 1)

For this example, we see that the effect of interaction has been to change the effective
time constants of the interacting system. One time constant has become considerably
larger and the other smaller than the time constant t of either tank in the non-
interacting system. The response of H2(t) to a unit step change in Q(t) for the
interacting case is

H2(t)/R = 1 + 0.17e -t/0.38 - 1.17e-t/2.6

t t
..............................(9)

In figure 2, the unit step responses for the two cases are plotted to show the effect of
interaction. From this figure, it can be seen that interaction slows up the response.
1.0

0.8

0.6

NONINTERACTING
H2

0.4
INTERACTING

0.2

0
0 1 2 3
t/t
Figure 2: Effect of interaction on step response of two-tank system

This result can be understood on physical grounds in the following way: If the same
size step change is introduced into the two systems of fig. 1, the flow from tank 1 (q1)
for the non-interacting case will not be reduced by the increase in level in tank 2.
However for the interacting case, the flow q1 will be reduced by the build up of level in
tank 2. At any time t1 following the introduction of the step input, q1 for the interacting
case will be less than for the non-interacting case with the result that h2 will increase at
a slower rate.

In general, the effect of interaction on a system containing two first order lags is to
change the ratio of effective time constants in the interacting system. In terms of
transient response, this means that the interacting systems is more sluggish than the
no ninteracting system.
 Procedure
1. Connect the air source to air regulators
inlet.
2. Fill the liquid (water) in reservoir.
3. Start the pump and fill the column.
4. Fill manometer fluid (Hg.) In Manometer.
5. Half fill the air flow indicator with water.
6. Open the air inlet valve and allow to flow
the air through water in the column which is
indicated by the air bubbles, bubbling in air
flow indicator.
7. Adjust the air flow rate by air inlet valve V1
to equalize pressure, and this will be
indicated on the air flow indicating device
(wash bottle) as reduction of air bubble
speed and finally at just stop. At this stage
lock the air regulator to stop further
increase in air flow rate.
8. Record the liquid level in column and
gauge pressure head in manometer and
note down the values in table 1.
9. Drain the water from column through valve
V2 and maintain another level of liquid in
column.
10. Repeat step 7-9 for various sets of liquid
level in column.

Results and Discussions

1. Draw the graph Level Vs H.

2. Discuss the results.
 S. No. Time Level in H=h-h0 Remarks
Second Tank

1 0 h0 - Magnitude of
Step change
2 t1 h1 h1-h0 in flow
3 t2 h2 h2-h0
= Final flow rate
4 : : : - Initial flow
5 : : : rate

6 : : :

Table 1

Experiment

7. Plot H Vs t. From experimental data.

8. Plot H Vs t theoretically and compare the results.

Precautions
1. Ground the instrument to avoid electric shocks.
2. Do not clean the instrument with any organic solvent, Use mild
detergents only.
3. Use distilled or soft water to run the instrument and when keeping idle
for a long time drain all water and leave the instrument dry.
4. Never run pump dry.
 FLOW DIAGRAM

ROTAMETER

TANK 1 TANK 2

RESERVOIR

P
Manufactured by
Rajesh Scientific Industries
6, M. G. Road, Near St. John's college, Agra 282002
Phones: 0562 2850566, 2856011, +91 9837290266
Fax: 0562 2856011, 2850566 email: rascind@hotmail.com