2007-Chem-101

Level Sensors

Introduction
Level measurement is defined 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. Level sensors detect the level of substances that flow, including liquids, slurries, granular materials, and powders. All such substances flow to become essentially level in their containers (or other physical boundaries) because of gravity. The substance to be measured can be inside a container or can be in its natural form (e.g. a river or a lake). The level measurement can be either continuous or point values. Continuous level sensors measure level within a specified range and determine the exact amount of substance in a certain place, while point-level sensors only indicate whether the substance is above or below the sensing point. Generally the latter detect levels that are excessively high or low. There are many physical and application variables that affect the selection of the optimal level monitoring method for industrial and commercial processes. The selection criteria include the physical: phase (liquid, solid or slurry), temperature, pressure or vacuum, chemistry, dielectric constant of medium, density (specific gravity) of medium, agitation, acoustical or electrical noise, vibration, mechanical shock, tank or bin size and shape. Also important are the application constraints: price, accuracy, appearance, response rate, ease of calibration or programming, physical size and mounting of the instrument, monitoring or control of continuous or discrete (point) levels.

Classification
Level devices operate under different principles. They can be classified into three main categories that measure surface.

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2007-Chem-101

Level Sensors

Types of Sensors
Electromechanical level measurement and detection systems Floats for level detection and measurement of liquids Displacers for level detection and measurement of liquids Level detection of solids using rotating paddles Level measurement of liquids and solids using plumb bob Electronic/electromagnetic energy level measurement and detection systems Level detection of liquids by use of conductivity Level detection of liquids by use of vibrating forks resonance or rod attenuation Level detection of solids by use of vibrating fork or rod attenuation Level detection of liquids by use of ultrasonic gap Level detection of liquids by use of thermodispersion Level measurement of liquids by use of bubblers Level measurement of liquids by use of hydrostatic pressure Ultrasonic level detection and measurement of liquids and solids Capacitance level detection and measurement of liquids and solids Radar level detection and measurement of liquids and solids Level detection and measurement of liquids and solids by use of time-domain reflectometry Level measurement of liquids by use of magnetostrictive Level measurement of liquids by use of laser Level detection and measurement of liquids and solids by use of radiometric Level measurement of liquids and solids by use of weighing Level detection by use of optics Level detection in liquids by use of ultrasonic tank resonance [7]

Differential Pressure

Differential, height of the liquid head. Level measurement in open tanks is based on the formula that the pressure head is equal to the liquid height above the tap multiplied by the specific gravity of the fluid being measured. In closed tanks, the true level is equal to the pressure measured at the tank bottom minus the static pressure above the liquid surface. To compensate for that static pressure, a leg is connected from the tank top to the low side of the differential pressure transmitter . Two options are available: dry leg and wet leg. In dry leg applications, it is expected that the low side will remain empty (i.e., no condensation). [1] If condensation takes place, an error will occur because a pressure head will be created on the low side. This error is avoided by intentionally filling the low side with a liquid hence the term wet leg. Where filled systems (with diaphragm seals) are used between the transmitter and the tank, calibration of the transmitter should allow for the specific gravity span values. [1] Advantages/Disadvantages Differential-pressure level measuring devices are easy to install and have a wide range of applications. With proper modifications, such as extended diaphragm seals and flange connections, these instruments will handle hard-to-measure fluids (e.g., viscous, slurries, corrosive, hot). They are simple and accurate. Calibration of differential-pressure measuring
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