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Cebu Institute of Technology – University

Chemical Engineering Department

Laboratory Experiment Report #1

Experiment #7 LEVEL SENSOR

Author: Christhel May M. Pueblas

Date: July 17, 2019

Abstract

The objective of this experiment was to determine the characteristic of the differential
transformer as position transducer and to identify the relationship between the level of the
water and the voltage. In this experiment, the quantity being measured is the position or
level of the water, the input device (sensor) is the linear variable differential transformer
and the output device (actuator) is the solenoid. Result shows that level 14cm has the
greatest voltage output which is 10volts, and level 4cm has the least voltage output which
is 0.02volts. It can be observed that as the level decreases, voltage output also decreases
and as the level increases, the voltage output also increases but will never surpass the
voltage set point. Therefore, the water level is directly proportional to the voltage output.

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Objectives

The objective of this experiment was to determine the characteristic of the

differential transformer as position transducer and to identify the relationship between the
level of the water and the voltage.

Materials/Apparatus/ Equipment List

 DL 2314
 Digital multi- meter
 Set of leads

Relevant Theory / Background Information

Level sensors are used to monitor and regulate levels of a particular free-flowing
substance within a contained space. These substances are usually liquid, however level
sensors can also be used to monitor some solids such as powdered substances. Level
sensors are widely used industrially [1]. Cars use liquid level sensors to monitor a variety
of liquids, including fuel and oil. They can also be found in industrial storage tanks, for
slurries, and in household appliances such as coffee machines. Basic level sensors can
be used to identify the point at which a liquid falls below a minimum or rises above a
maximum level [2] .

The significance of level sensor in a dynamic system, the level measurement

becomes challenging with the process tanks/vessels which constantly undergoes
modifications in the behaviors of the measured process fluid due to mixing, chemical
reaction, agitation or emptied out for downstream processes based on the application
requirements. In such applications, these processes integrated with the fact that these
occur at high temperature and/or high pressure pose a safety risk for the personnel and

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[3].
equipment, which makes the Level Measurement even more critical Also, any
inadequate and improper control can cause levels in the tanks or vessels to be
excessively lower or higher than their safe operating limits resulting in the damage to
equipment, causing overflow or affecting the quality of the final product and potentially
developing environmental and safety hazards resulting in financial losses [4].

This experiment uses a linear variable differential transformer (LVDT) is an

electromechanical sensor or signal monitoring device used to convert mechanical motion
or vibrations, into a variable electrical current, voltage or electric signals, and the reverse.
In short, a linear transducer provides voltage output quantity, related to the parameters
being measured [5].

In this experiment De Lorenzo 2314 is used. It is a process Control Trainer that is

composed of different elements that allow the study, simulation and performing of
experiences in the field of process control.

Fig 3.1 De Lorenzo 2314

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Procedures

The process simulation panel was set accordingly.

DELIVERY VALVE fully open (turn the knob counter-clockwise)

MOTOR VALVE fully open (angular rotation = 0)

SOL VALVE open (ON) using the interface ON-OFF DRIVER

MAIN VALVE fully open (turn the knob counter-clockwise)

DRAIN VALVE fully close (turn the knob clockwise)

NEEDLE VALVE fully close (turn the knob clockwise)

AIR VALVE fully open (turn the knob counter-clockwise)

PROCESS TANK with 4 cm level of water

Through leads, bush N01 of the Level Sensor was connected to bush N01 of the
correspondent interface, and bush N02 to bush N02 (Sheet 1.1 Fig. 1.1). A terminal of
the digital voltmeter, set in DC, was inserted in bush N0 13 of the Level Interface and the
other one on the earth bush (Sheet 1.1 Fig. 1.1). The main switch was switched on. The
pump was started regulating the voltage on SET POINT 1 and bring the level of the water
in the PROCESS TANK to 6 cm. The pump was turned off as it reached 6 cm and 0
voltage value was established in SET POINT 1. The needle valve was turned clockwise
and the level of the water in the tank was decreased back to 4 cm. The voltage value was
verified and the minimum working point of the level sensor is now fixed. The pump was
turned on and the level of the tank was increased to 14 cm. The pump was turned off and
calibrations were made sure and 10 volts was obtained. Steps from step N’7 was repeated
to verify if the voltage and level were correct. The tank was drained and the level values
obtained for levels shown in table 1.1. The level and corresponding voltage were listed
down. The main switch was TURNED OFF. All connections were removed and
characteristic of the level sensor were represented in a graph.
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Sheet 1.1

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Experimental Data Analysis and Discussion

Level 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4
(cm)
Voltage 10 9.21 8.09 6.95 5.85 4.80 3.55 2.84 1.90 1.05 0.02
Table 5.1 Tabulated Result

Level vs Voltage Characteristic Curve

16

14

12

10
Level (cm)

0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
Voltage (V)

Fig. 5.1 Level vs Voltage Characteristic Curve

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In this experiment, the quantity being measured is the position or level of the water,
the input device (sensor) is the linear variable differential transformer and the output
device (actuator) is the solenoid.

As shown on Fig 1.3 Level vs Voltage Characteristic Curve, 14cm level has the
greatest voltage output and 4cm level has the least voltage output. It can be said that as
the level decreases, voltage output also decreases and as the level increases, the voltage
output also increases but will never surpass the voltage set point.

Table 5.1 shows that at 4 cm and 14 cm level of water, the voltage output obtained
was 0.02 volts and 10 volts instead of 0volts and 10volts respectively. Although the
equipment was calibrated carefully and precisely, this error still occurred due to some
technical error.

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Conclusion

In this experiment, characteristic of the differential transformer as position

transducer was determined.

Result shows that level 14cm has the greatest voltage output which is 10volts, and
level 4cm has the least voltage output which is 0.02volts. It was observed that as the level
decreases, voltage output also decreases and as the level increases, the voltage output
also increases but will never surpass the voltage set point. Therefore, the water level is
directly proportional to the voltage output.

Level sensor is an important part of a fluid system because the position and
displacement of an object or media is critical to know in many applications. The substance
to be measured could be inside a container or in its natural form such as a lake or
river. Instead of monitoring and controlling the level manually, which does not ensure
safety and is difficult to perform in some industries, remote monitoring and controlling may
be done with the use of a level sensor. Manual monitoring the level may cause error.
Liquid level sensors are useful devices with a very important function in the industry since
they ensure that all processes and operations in these industries function as they
should. In water reservoirs, liquid level sensors are used to monitor and control the water
levels in massive water reservoirs; this is done to ensure that processes such as electricity
generation function optimally.

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References

Websites:

[1] http://www.tc-fluidcontrol.com/about-us/blog-posts/how-liquid-level-sensors-work/

[2] https://www.azom.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=14503

[3] https://www.aquaread.com/why-water-level-monitoring-is-so-important/

[4] https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1742-6596/776/1/012118/pdf

[5]https://www.omega.co.uk/technical-learning/linear-variable-displacement-
transducers.html