A TERM PAPER ON

THE OPERATION OF FLOAT AS A SIMPLE DISPLACEMENT

MEASURING DEVICE

SUBMITTED BY
ONIFADE, THEOPHILUS KOLAWOLE

DEPARTMENT
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

LEVEL:
HND I

LECTURER IN CHARGE
AKINOLA A. A.
INTRODUCTION

Float level sensors are both widely used and highly useful as the first-line input devices for many

of today’s electronic control systems for monitoring a tank’s liquid level. From simple on / off

pump control to highly sophisticated liquid level indication, float level sensors can be counted on

to perform reliable and accurate liquid level measurement. Although these devices are offered in

many variations, almost all fall into two types depending on the output they provide. Switch type

float level sensors provide an on or off signal at a specific liquid level. Continuous level float

sensors provide analog data that is continuously updated as the liquid level changes.

The tendency of an object to rise up to the upper levels of the fluid or to float on the fluid surface

is known as floatation. Sinking is just the opposite process of floatation which means the

tendency of an object to go deep down to the lower levels of the fluid.

The phenomenon of floatation totally depends on the density of the object placed in the fluid and

the density of the fluid in which it is placed. A ship can only float or sail on the sea if its density

is lesser than that of the seawater.

Law of Floatation

The fluid in which a body floats should relocate or displace the fluid of its own weight to float;

this is known as the law of floatation.

For example: If a brick of wood weighing 300kg (3000N) floats in water, then this means that it

displaces 300kg (3000N) of water; however, in other fluids of different properties, if the same

wood brick is placed, then it will only float if it is able to displace the same 300kg of fluid.
OPERATING PRINCIPLE

Magnetostrictive Transmitter measures the accurate medium (D) by calculating the time travel of

signal formed by two different magnetic fields. One magnetic field comes from the float ball,

and the other comes from the current pulse given by the waveguide tube. When the pulse signal

is reversed back to the waveguide coil, the transmitter will calculate the float ball (liquid level)

based on the time interval and travel speed the pulse signal between the two magnet fields. This

action is continuous and timely. The change of float position will be detected promptly with

absolute signal output.

SENSOR TYPES

i. MAGNETOSTRICTIVE LEVEL SENSOR

Magnetostrictive Level Transmitter is built based on the principle of magnetic field interaction of

two different directions, which sends out a signal to determine the exact level of the medium.

Therefore, even if there is a power failure and reconnection is needed, it will not affect the

previous setting parameters. So there is no reconfiguration involved. Moreover, medium is not in

contact to the sensing element. There will be no wear and tear to the sensing element during

repeat operation. As Magnetostrictive Level Transmitter gives direct signal output, additional

output interface is not needed. As the resolution is very accurate and reliable, it will reduce the

malfunction of the product. Moreover, due to the durability of the sensing element, minimal

maintenance is needed, thus stocking for replacement parts inventory is not needed.
FEATURES

 High performance
 Absolute position output
 Prompt response time
 Highly stable & highly reliable
 Multi output selection
APPLICATIONS

 Natural gas liquid medium

 Pharmaceutical / beverages
 Water Dam / barrier
 Water / Wastewater Treatment
 Chemical Process
 Crude oil / Oil industry
 Normal liquid environment
ii. MAGNETIC FLOAT LEVEL SENSOR OPERATING PRINCIPLE

The "Magnet Float Level Sensor" is composed of the float and sensing rod. As the float raised or

lowered by liquid level, the sensing rod will have a resistance output, which is directly

proportional to the liquid level. In addition, we can use series bar graphic display scaling panel

meter for level control and display. Anyway, "Magnet Float Level Sensor" is a great benefit to

all kinds of industries with its easy working principle and reliability.

Conditions for an Object to Float

 The fluid in which the object has to float should have a density more than that of the

average density of the floating object.

 The total weight of the object must be equal to the upthrust force of the fluid on the

object.

 To displace a huge amount of fluid, the volume of the object submerged must be huge

enough.

Relationship between Real Weight of a Floating Body and Upthrust

As we know,

Real weight = apparent loss in weight + apparent weight

Where apparent loss in weight is equal to the weight of the fluid displaced, which is the upthrust

Therefore,

Real weight = upthrust + apparent weight

But, the apparent weight of an object becomes zero when it floats.

Hence, apparent weight = 0

Now,
Real weight = upthrust + 0

Therefore, real weight = upthrust.

The relationship between real weight and upthrust of a floating object shows that the real weight

is equal to the upthrust, and the floating body displaces its own weight of the fluid in which it

floats because the upthrust is equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Therefore, to make an

object float, it is important that its real weight must be equal to upthrust.

Daily Life Applications of the Law of Floatation

 In waterways transportation

The law of floatation is applicable to all the containers that travel by waterways, consisting of

ships, boats and submarines.

 In transportation by airways

Hot air balloons and airships are the most widely used air transport mediums that use the law of

floatation.

 In decoration

Balloons filled with lighter gases used for decorative purposes also work on the law of floatation.

 In the measurement of specific gravity of liquids

To measure the specific gravity of liquids, an instrument is used, which is named hydrometer. It

employs the law of floatation.

Principle for flotation of ships

The ship can be assumed to be like a floating bowl of iron in water, but the bowl does not sink

even though iron is denser than water. Because of its hollow shape, it contains air, which causes

its average density to be lesser than that of water.

If you fill sand into the bowl, it will keep floating, but in a surplus mass of sand, the bowl will

sink, which is called overloading in ships.

Even though the ships are made of metals that are denser than water, like, aluminium alloy or

steel, they manage to float in water because of their hollow structure. This hollow structure filled

with air results in a lesser average density as compared to the average density of water even

when it is full with cargo.

The ship travels in diverse densities of water like seawater, hot water, cold water or freshwater.

Therefore, the ship can displace more or less water according to the change in waterways in

which it floats, which means that the ship may lose or gain thrust. The ship sinks if the upthrust

becomes less than its own weight.

Submarine sink and float

A ship that can travel deep underwater as well as on the surface too is known as a submarine.

Using the law of floatation, the submarine owes its ability to dive and come up to the surface of

the water. It holds weight tanks on either side, which are occupied with water when it has to dive

into the waters and are emptied when it has to come up. The tanks are filled and emptied using

the special pumps.

Hot air balloon float

A hot air balloon comprises three parts, the burner, the balloon, and the basket. Propane gas is

used by the burner to heat up the air in the balloon, and as soon as the air in the balloon gets hot,

it enlarges or expands, which results in the rise of a balloon because its density becomes lower

than the surrounding air.

To get the balloon down, the pilot can open a parachute valve at the top of the balloon, which

decreases the temperature and density inside the balloon because it causes cold air to enter the

balloon. Also, by burning less fuel, the pilot can let the air inside the balloon cool itself.

An Airship Float

The airship floats in the sky using the helium and hydrogen gases because these gases are lighter,

and they help the airship to rise up; by means of a propeller attached to the ship, maneuverings

are done. The engine is used to propel the ship, and the lighter gas gives it a lift.
REFERENCES

Deeter. "Float Level Sensors". Retrieved 2009-05-05.

https://byjus.com/physics/floatation/

http://www.sensorsystem.it/level%20indicato rs.html

Sapcon Instruments. "Fly Ash Level Detection". Retrieved 2008-05-05.