9/26/2015

Introduction
• Level is a common process variable
that is measured in many industries.
The method used will vary widely
Level Measurement depending on the nature of the
industry, the process, and the
application.

Introduction
• Level measurement – the act of
establishing the height of a liquid
surface in reference to a zero point.
Introduction
• The measured medium can be liquid,
or solid and stored in vessels
(open/closed tanks), silos, bins and
hoppers.

1

Introduction
• Selection criteria
– Open tank or closed tank?
– Can the level sensor be inserted
into the tank or should it be
completely external?
– Contact or non-contact?
Liquid level measurements
• Measurement methods
–Direct methods
–Indirect methods
9/26/2015
Introduction
• Selection criteria (contd.)
–Continuous measurement or point
measurement?
–Direct or Indirect measurement?
–What type of material is being
measured? Liquid or Solid? Clean
or Slurry?
Liquid level measurements
• Direct methods
ƒ Direct methods measure level in
terms the physical location of the
surface of the material in relation to
some reference point (e.g. bottom
of the tank)
ƒ Measures the process variable
directly in terms of itself.
2
 9/26/2015

Liquid level measurement Liquid level measurements

• Direct methods (contd.) • Indirect methods
ƒ Dip stick ƒ Indirect methods “infer” liquid level
ƒ Sight glass by measuring some other physical
ƒ Hook
H k gage parameter such as pressure,
weight, or temperature.
ƒ Float gage
ƒ Changing materials means a
corrective factor must be used or
recalibrating the instrument.

Liquid level measurements Liquid level measurement

• Indirect methods (contd.) • Indirect methods (contd.)
ƒ Measures another process variable ƒ Static pressure methods
(e.g. head pressure or weight) in ƒ Torque tube gage
order to infer level. ƒ Air
Ai purge method
th d
ƒ Capacitance gage
ƒ Ultrasonic gage

3
 9/26/2015

Dip stick Dip stick

• Simple and cheap
• Can be used with any wet material
and not affected by density.
• Can not be used with pressurized
p
tanks
• Visual indication only (electronic
versions are available)

Sight Glass Hook gage

4
 9/26/2015

Hook gage Floats

• The hook is pushed below the surface
of liquid whose level is to be
measured and gradually raised until
the ppoint is jjust about a break through
g
the surface.

Float Float

5
 9/26/2015

Static pressure Torque tube

Torque tube Air purge

6
 9/26/2015

Capacitance Gage Capacitance Gage

The principle of operation of capacitance
level indicator is based upon the familiar
capacitance equation of a parallel plate
capacitor given by:
C = K (A/D)
Where, C = Capacitance (Farad)
K = Dielectric constant
A = Area of plate (m2)
D = Distance between 2 plates
(meter)

Ultrasonic level gage Solid level

• Load cell
• Ultrasonic
• Weight and cable