ACADs (08-006) Covered

5.4.1.7

Keywords
Calibrate, direct, inferred, transmitter calibration, gravity correction,
density correction, hydrostatic head detector, float.

Description

Supporting Material
 Measuring Level
Terminal Objective: Given the appropriate equipment
and procedures the I&C Technician will calibrate and
maintain level instrumentation. Mastery will be
demonstrated by successful completion of Lab
Performance Exercises and written Exam.
• Contrast direct and inferred methods of measuring level,
giving an example of each

• Describe the theory of operation of a given level

measuring device

• Given an example of a hydrostatic head detector, calculate

the transmitter calibration input pressure for a dry
reference leg system using specific gravity and density
corrections

• Given an example of a hydrostatic head detector, calculate

the transmitter calibration input pressure for a dry
reference leg with zero suppression

• Given an example of a hydrostatic head detector, calculate

the transmitter calibration input pressure for a wet
reference leg system
 Direct versus Indirect
• Direct: Level is • Indirect: Level is
measured by direct inferred by means other
contact with the fluid than direct contact with
surface. Either the fluid the Fluid surface. Fluid
surface is visible to be level is inferred by its
compared directly to a effect on some type of
scale, or direct contact device.
is made with the fluid
surface.
 Classify as Direct or Indirect
• Dipstick • Pressure or DP
• Float transmitter
• Sightglass • Ultrasonic
• Float & chain • HJTC
• Bubbler tube • Warrick Conductivity
• Capacitance Level
• Magnetrol
 Ways to measure level
• Antenna level sensor • Optical level
• Bubbler • Radiation level sensor
• Capacitance probe • Resistance tapes
• Conductivity probe • Rotating paddles
• Diaphragm detector • Sightglass
• Differential Pressure • Slip tubes
• Dipstick • Tape level devices
• Displacer • Thermal level sensor
• Float • Time domain
• Impedance probe reflectometry
• Level gauge • Ultrasonic level detectors
• Magnetic Follower • Vibrating reed switches
 Considerations in level measurement
• Atmospheric vs. pressurized vessel
• Conductive vs. non-conductive fluid
• Temperature, specific gravity of the fluid
• Turbulance, foam, fog, dust, or a mixed layer at fluid
surface
• Open flow channels
• Head correction, range suppression or elevation
• Mixed fluids, fluid boundaries, slurries, solids
• Continuous monitoring or point level detection
 Dipstick

Dipsticks
 Pneumatic Dipstick
• Combines a dipstick and a bubbler tube
Float & mechanical linkage
 Archimides Principle
• A body wholly or partly immersed in a fluid
is buoyed up with a force equal to the
weight of the fluid displace by the body
What is the difference between a float and a displacer?
Chain Float
Bubbler Tube
 Capacitive-Type
Transducers
Measuring level with pressure differential
Reference to Atmosphere
Level Instruments
Calculating Dry Reference Leg Calibration
Values

Calculate zero and span calibration values for

the following example:
• Vented tank (at atmospheric pressure)
• The tank is full when it has 12’ of water at
room temperature
• Pressure tap located 2’ above the bottom
of the tank
• Transmitter 2’ below the bottom of the
tank
Dry Leg Level Instrument
Calculating Dry Reference Leg Calibration
Values

Calculate zero and span calibration values for

the following example:
• Tank pressurized with 2 psi Nitrogen
• The tank is full when it has 30’ of water at
room temperature
• Pressure tap located 1’ above the bottom
of the tank
• Transmitter 4’ below the bottom of the
tank
Wet Reference Leg
Level Instrument
Specific Gravity
Water in our pressurizer
is xxx degrees but the
water in the reference
leg is only xxx degrees.
How does this effect
differential pressure
seen at the level
transmitter?
Compare indicated to
actual level.
What can be done to
compensate?
 Wet Reference Leg
Calibration Factors
• Tank level
• Reference leg level
• Specific Gravity
• Pressure
• Temperature

• The ASME steam tables can be used to determine

specific gravity for pure water or steam
• http://www.higgins.ucdavis.edu/webMathematica/
MSP/Examples/SteamTable
 Pressure = H x Sg x D
• H = height of fluid column

• Sg = Specific Gravity of the fluid

• D = Density
Calculating Wet Reference Leg Calibration
Values

Calculate zero and span calibration values for the

following example:
• Tank pressurized at 2250 pounds with 800 degree
F water and steam mixture
• The tank is full when it has 40’ of water at 800o F
• The tank is empty when it has 12’ of water
• Pressure tap located 1’ above the bottom of the
tank
• Transmitter 8’ below the bottom of the tank
Ultrasonic Level Measurement
 How does it work?
• Ultrasonic sound waves are
pulsed from the transducer
about 3 times per second
• The sound waves reflect
against the process medium
and return to the
transducer
• The microprocessor based
electronics measure the
time of flight between
sound generation and
receipt
• This time is translated into
the distance between the
transducer and the process
medium below
Conductivity Probe Method
 Capacitance Level Sensor
• Also called RF level sensors
• Uses the process material as the dielectric of a
capacitor
• As the dielectric (level) changes, capacitance
changes
• This change (picofarads) is conveted to a level
signal.
• We use these on RCP oil levels.
 Radar Level Instruments
• Sometimes called microwave
• Similar to ultrasonic, but uses 1MHz+ RF
• Can be used in high temperature steam
environments (FW heaters)
• Mist, steam, dust and foam can be ignored
• Non-contact surface level measurement
• Low power (2 wire)
On to Flow Measurement