PDVSA

ENGINEERING DESIGN MANUAL

VOLUME 9–II

ENGINEERING GUIDELINE

PDVSA N° TITULO

90620.1.112 LEVEL MEASUREMENT GUIDELINES

0 JUN.01 FOR APPROVAL 3 Y.K. A.A. E.C.

REV. FECHA DESCRIPCION PAG. REV. APPD. APPD.

APPD. Alexis Arévalo DATE JUN.01 APPD. Enrique Carmona DATE JUN.01

E1994 SPECIALISTS
 ENGINEERING GUIDELINE PDVSA 90620.1.112
REVISION DATE
PDVSA LEVEL MEASUREMENT GUIDELINES 0 JUN.01
Page 1
Menú Principal Indice manual Indice volumen Indice norma

1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Purpose (Modify)
These guidelines cover recommendations for the selection, application and
installation of level instrumentation.
Since PDVSA has decided to adopt the PIP (Process Industry Practices)
document PIP PCELI001 “Level Measurement Guidelines” as an integral part
of the Engineering Design Manual (MID), the requirements in this document are
additions or modifications to the PIP PCELI001 and the section/paragraph
numbers and the associated headings used in this document correspond to the
ones used in PIP PCELI001.

1.2 Scope (Add)

Tank gauging for custody transfer applications are not covered by these
guidelines. Refer to API MPMS recommendations and local government
regulations for these applications.

2 REFERENCES
2.0 Petróleos de Venezuela Standards (PDVSA) (Add)
PDVSA K–300 Introduction to PDVSA Instrumentation
PDVSA K–303 Level Instrumentation
PDVSA K–369 Instrumentation QA/QC
PDVSA SI–S–01 Gerencia de la Seguridad de los Procesos (GSP) –
Lineamientos Corporativos
PDVSA SO–S–02 Guías de Seguridad para Trabajo con Radiaciones
Ionizantes
2.3 Industry Codes and Standards (Add)
S American Petroleum Institute (API)
– API RP 551
Section 3 – Level
S American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
– ASME Boiler Pressure and Vessel Code
Section I, Part PG–60 – “Requirements for Miscellaneous Pipes, Valves and
Fittings”
S ISA, The International Society for Measurement and Control (ISA)
– ISA S20 – Specification Forms for Processing Measurement and Control
Instruments, Primary Elements, and Control Valves
 ENGINEERING GUIDELINE PDVSA 90620.1.112
REVISION DATE
PDVSA LEVEL MEASUREMENT GUIDELINES 0 JUN.01
Page 2
Menú Principal Indice manual Indice volumen Indice norma

1. ISA S20.20 – Differential Pressure Instruments

2. ISA S20.26 – Level Instruments, “Displacer or Float”
3. ISA S20.27 – Level Instruments, “Capacitance Type”
4. ISA S20.28 – Level Instruments, “Gage Glasses and Cocks”

5 HEAD MEASUREMENT
Figure 1. (Modify)
First sentence should read “When the fluid level is at or below . . . ”

5.1 General (Addition to last paragraph)

Isolation of level legs and displacement chambers should also be considered for
hot or cold liquid applications.

5.2 Differential Pressure Instruments

5.2.1 General (Addition)
Add the following to the list of ways to maintain a constant head in the reference
leg:
S Be provided with a condensate collecting boot located below the self draining
transmitter connections. The boot may be manually or automatically drained.
5.2.2 Mounting Recommendations (Addition)
For level bubblers, flow regulation of purge gas may also be achieved by using
restriction orifices in conjunction with pressure regulators. If purge gas supply is
sufficiently constant, pressure regulators may be obviated.

5.4 Level Gauges

5.4.2 Magnetic Gauges (Addition)
Magnetic level gauges should not be used for viscous fluids.

6 HEIGHT MEASUREMENTS
6.3 Non–Contacting Instruments
6.3.1 General

(Modify 4th paragraph to read)

Correct mounting of the probe is important. Internal obstructions in the vessel or
reflections from the vessel walls may cause erroneous readings.
 ENGINEERING GUIDELINE PDVSA 90620.1.112
REVISION DATE
PDVSA LEVEL MEASUREMENT GUIDELINES 0 JUN.01
Page 3
Menú Principal Indice manual Indice volumen Indice norma

6.4 Nuclear Instruments

6.4.1 General (Addition)
h. Very hot services

7 APPLICATION TABLE (ADDITION)

Radar (non–contact) instruments are also available in high accuracy versions.