LEVEL MEASUREMENTS

1. Define level.

 Level is simply a measure of height. It can also be defined as the filling

height of a liquid or bulk material, for example, in a tank or reservoir. It
measured at the position of the interface between phases, where the phases are
liquid/gas, solid/gas, or immiscible liquid/liquid.

 The level of measurement refers to the relationship among the values that
are assigned to the attributes for a variable. It can also be define as the
measurement of the position of an interface between two media. These media
are typically gas and liquid, but they also could be two liquids.

2. Enumerate the 2 types of level measurement with respect to function.

a) Nominal
b) Ratio

3. Enumerate the 2 types of level measurement with respect to the

medium.

a) Ordinal
b) Interval

4. Enumerate 5 methods of measuring liquid level.

a) Ball float c) Pressure

type Measurement
b) Displacement d) Electrical Level
type e) Radiation Type

5. Enumerate 7 methods of measuring solid level.

a) Diaphragm d) Vibrating Rod

b) Rotating e) Weighing
Paddle f) Admittance-type
c) Capacitance g) Microwave

6. Explain the principle of operation of the following liquid level

measuring methods:

a. visual indicators

 Visual indicators or uses sight-type level sensors are dip

sticks and lead lines as well as sight glasses and gages glasses. A dip
stick is essentially a stick or rod that is calibrated to indicate level. The
dip stick is lowered vertically into a tank or vessel until it reaches a
reference point. Usually the bottom of the tank is used to ensure that
the dip stick is inserted to the correct depth. The dip stick is then
withdrawn and the level is ready by determining where the interface last
made contact with it. While glass gauges are the most widely used
instruments for measuring process tank level. Two types of level glass
gauges measure liquid level
in process tanks: tubular and
flat gauges.

b. ball float type

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 The ball float method is a direct reading liquid level

mechanism. The most practical design for the float is a hollow metal ball
or sphere. However, there are no restrictions to the size, shape, or
material used. The design consists of a ball float attached to a rod,
which in turn is connected to a rotating shaft which indicates level on a
calibrated scale (Figure 1).

The operation of the ball float is simple. The ball floats on top of
the liquid in the tank. If the liquid level changes, the float will follow and
change the position of the Figure 1
pointer attached to the
rotating shaft. The travel of the ball float is limited by its design to be
within ±30 degrees from the horizontal plane which results in optimum
response and performance. The actual level range is determined by the
length of the connecting arm. The stuffing box is incorporated to form a
water-tight seal around the shaft to prevent leakage from the vessel.

c. displacement type

 A displacer (see Figure 2), which can be either partially or

totally immersed, is
restricted from moving
freely with the liquid level. It
transmits its change in
buoyancy (mechanical
force) to a transducer
through a torque-tube unit.
Sometimes the term float
is used instead of
displacer. However, the Figure 2
element does not actually
float; it is submerged in the liquid being measured. Displacers are
simple, dependable, and accurate, and they can be mounted internally
or externally. This type of level measurement should be used only for
liquids with fixed specific gravity, where errors due to process variations
are acceptable, and where a change in process condition will not create
crystallization or solids.

d. pressure measurement

 One of the primary principles underlying industrial level

measurement is that different materials and different phases of the
same material have different densities. This basic law of nature can be
utilized to measure level via differential pressure (that at the bottom of
the tank relative to that in the vapor space or to atmospheric pressure)
or via a float or displacer that depends on the density differences
between phases.

e. electrical level

 The sensor must be in direct or indirect contact with the

product to detect its electrical properties. For continuous measurement,
only part of the intrusive sensor must be in contact with the product to
detect the difference in dielectric permittivity or conductivity.

f. radiation type
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LEVEL MEASUREMENTS

 Nuclear radiation instruments have the ability to sec through

tank walls and can be mounted on the outside of process equipment.
This reduces installation and repair costs. These systems can detect the
level of liquids, bulk solids, and slurries. Nuclear systems use a low-level
gamma-ray source on one side of the vessel and a radiation detector on
the other side. You can obtain a more accurate level measurement by
placing several gamma sources at different heights. The material in the
tank has transmissibility different from that of air, so the instrument can
provide an output signal proportional to the level of the material in the
container.

7. Enumerate the 2 types of visual indicator.

a) Dip Sticks and Lead Lines

b) Sight Glasses and Gages Glasses

8. Explain the principle of operation for the following pressure type level
measurement as follows:

a. for open vessels

In open tanks, measurements are referenced to atmospheric

pressure. At atmospheric pressure, the pressure on the surface of
the liquid is equal to the pressure on the reference side of the
pressure element in the measuring instrument. When atmospheric
pressure changes, the change is equal on both the surface of the
liquid and the reference side of the measuring element.

b. for closed vessels

In closed-tank level measurement, the pressure in the closed tank

changes, an equal force applies to both sides of the differential
pressure (dP) transmitter. Because the dP cell responds only to
changes in differential pressure, a change in static pressure on the
liquid surface will not change the output of the transmitter. Thus,
the dP cell responds only to changes in liquid level when the
specific gravity of the liquid is constant.

c. bubbler system

The air bubbler is another pressure-type level sensor where you

install a dip tube in a tank with its open end a few inches from the
bottom. A fluid forces itself through the tube; when the fluid
bubbles escape from the open end, the pressure in the tube equals
the hydrostatic head of the liquid. As liquid level (head) varies, the
pressure in the dip tube changes correspondingly.

9. Enumerate 3 types of electrical level measuring system.

a) Capacitance Probes
b) Resistance Tapes
c) Conductivity Probes
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LEVEL MEASUREMENTS

10. Explain the principle of operation of the following electrical level

measuring types as follows:

a. capacitive probes

 A variety of instruments and sensors use basic electrical

principles to measure and detect level. A capacitor consists of two
conductors separated by an insulator. We call the conductors plates and
refer to the insulator as the dielectric. The basic nature of a capacitor is
its ability to accept and store an electric charge. When a capacitor
connects to a battery, electrons will flow from the negative terminal of
the battery to the capacitor, and the electrons on the opposite plate of
the capacitor will flow to the positive terminal of the battery. This
electron flow continues until the voltage across the capacitor equals the
applied voltage.

b. resistance tapes

 The resistance tape spirally winds around a steel tape. This

instrument mounts vertically from top to bottom on a process tank. The
pressure of the fluid in the tank causes the tape to short-circuit, thus
changing the total resistance of the measuring tape. An electronic circuit
measures the resistance; it's directly related to the liquid level in the
tank.

c. conductivity probes

 The conductivity probe consists of one or more level

detectors, an operating relay, and a controller. When the liquid makes
contact with any of the electrodes, an electric current will flow between
the electrode and ground. The current energizes a relay which causes
the relay contacts to open or close depending on the state of the
process involved. The relay in turn will actuate an alarm, a pump, a
control valve, or all three.

d. Ultrasonic

 Ultrasonic level sensors measure the time required for sound

waves to travel through material. When a sound wave moving in a
medium that transmits sound strikes a solid medium, such as a wall or a
liquid surface, only a small amount of the sound energy penetrates the
barrier, reflecting a large percentage of the wave. The reflected sound
wave is called an echo. A generator and transmitter produce the sound
waves, and a transducer sends out the sound. The measured material or
level reflects the sound waves. A transducer senses the reflected waves
and converts the sound wave into an electrical signal, which it amplifies
and sends to a wave-shaping circuit. A timing generator synchronizes
the functions in the measurement system. The instrument measures the
time that elapses between the transmitter burst and the echo signal.
This elapsed time is proportional to the distance between the
transducers and the object being sensed. The instrument is easily
calibrated to measure fluid or material level in a process vessel.

e. radio frequency (RADAR)

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LEVEL MEASUREMENTS

 Radar level measurement is based on measuring the transit

time of high frequency (GHz) electromagnetic energy transmitted from
an antenna at the top of the tank and reflecting off the surface of the
level medium; the higher the dielectric of the medium, the stronger the
reflection. Radar is robust, reliable, and becoming popular as prices
decline. Line-powered and loop-powered products now offer a wide
range of flexibility to the user in hazardous and non-hazardous areas.

11. Explain the principle of operation in measuring level by radiation

method.

 With the radioactive

(nuclear) device (see Figure 3),
a radioactive source radiates
through the vessel. The gamma
quantum is seen by the
radiation detector (such as a
Geiger counter) and is
transformed into a signal. When
the vessel is empty, the count
rate is high. The radioactive
source holder is designed to
direct a collimated beam of
radiation toward the tank and to Figure 3
be shielded in all other
directions so as to reduce the radiation levels to below the legal limit.
The strength of the sensed radiation depends on the thickness of the
vessel wall, the distance between the source and detector, and the
density and thickness of the measured material. The radiation source
generally has a half-life of 30 years; therefore, corrections for source
decay are rarely required.

12. Enumerate 3 examples of level switches.

a) Ultrasonic Switch
b) Microwave Switch
c) Photoelectric Barrier

13. Draw the ISA symbol for the following level control loop
instruments:

a. level element b. level transmitter

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LEVEL MEASUREMENTS

c. level controller h. level alarm

low

d. level recorder
i. level
indicating
transmitter

e. level switch high

j. level
indicating
controller

f. level switch
low

k. level
indicating recorder

g. level alarm
high

14. Design and draw a level control loop as per given application.

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LEVEL MEASUREMENTS

REFERENCES:

The Condensed Handbook of Measurement and Control 3rd Edition by N. E. Battikha -

CHAPTER 5
- http://www.scribd.com/doc/19721874/182005
Level Measurement the Basics
- http://www.scribd.com/doc/26413149/2836046-Level-Measurement-the-Basics
A Practical Overview of Level Continuous Measurement Technologies
- http://www.scribd.com/doc/2742061/A-Practical-Overview-of-Level-Continuous-
Measurement-Technologies
Basic Instrumentation Measuring Devices and Basic Pid Control
- http://www.scribd.com/doc/14078546/Basic-Instrumentation-Measuring-Devices-
and-Basic-Pid-Control
Level Measurements
- http://www.scribd.com/doc/13746547/Level
Level Measurement by Farrukh Shahzad
- http://www.scribd.com/doc/31594216/Level-Measurement-Farrukh
Level Measurement PowerPoint
- http://www.scribd.com/doc/16578110/LEVEL-Measurement
Level Measurement
- http://www.scribd.com/doc/6938951/Level
http://www.omega.com/literature/transactions/volume4/t9904-12-press.html

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