CHAPTER 6 : LEVEL

OBJECTIVES

• This chapter will help us understand the units

used in level measurements and become familiar
with the most common methods of using the
various level standards.
INTRODUCTION

• This chapter discusses the measurement of the

level of liquids and free flowing solids in container.
The detector is normally sensing the interface
between a liquid and a gas, a solid and a gas, a solid
and a liquid, or possibly the interface between two
liquids.
2 CATEGORIES OF SENSING
LIQUID LEVELS
1. SINGLE-POINT SENSING

• The actual level of the material is detected when

it reaches a predetermined level, so that the
appropriate action can be taken to prevent
overflowing or to refill the container.
II. CONTINUOUS LEVEL
MONITORING
• Measures the level of the liquid on an interrupted
basis. In this case the level of the material will be
constantly monitored and hence, the volume can
be calculated if the cross sectional area of the
container is known.
LEVEL MEASUREMENTS
CAN BE:
1. DIRECT
Example: Float Technique
2. INDIRECT
Example: Measuring pressure and calculating
the liquid level.
LEVEL FORMULAS
 PRESSURE

• Is often used as an indirect method of measuring

liquid levels. Pressure increases as the depth
increases in a fluid.

∆𝜌 = 𝛾 ∆ℎ
 BUOYANCY
• Is an indirect method used to measure liquid levels.
The level is determined using the buoyancy of an
object partially immersed in a liquid.

𝐵 = 𝛾 × 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 × 𝑑

𝑊𝐴 − 𝑊𝐿
𝑑=
𝛾 × 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎
• The weight of a container can be used to calculate
the level of the material in the container.

𝑉 = 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 × 𝑑𝑒𝑝𝑡ℎ = 𝜋𝑟 2 × 𝑑

𝑊 = 𝛾𝑉
 CAPACITANCE
• Capacitive probes can be used in nonconductive
liquids and free flowing solids for level
measurement. Many materials, when placed
between the plates of a capacitor, increase the
capacitance by a factor µ called the dielectric
constant of the material.
𝑑
𝐶𝑑 = 𝐶𝑎 𝜇 + 𝐶𝑎
𝑟
(𝐶𝑑 − 𝐶𝑎 )
𝑑= 𝑟
𝜇𝐶𝑎
 2 CATEGORIES OF LEVEL
SENSING DEVICES

• DIRECT SENSING – in this case the actual level is

monitored.
• INDIRECT SENSING – in this case the property
of the liquid such as pressure is sensed to
determine the liquid level.
DIRECT LEVEL SENSING
 SIGHT GLASS

• (open end/ differential) or gauge is the simplest

method for the direct visual reading. The sight
glass is normally mounted vertically adjacent to
the container.
 FLOATS

• The float material is less dense than the density of

the liquid and floats up and down on the top of
the material being measured.
PULLEY TYPE FLOAT
ANGULAR ARM FLOAT
 DISPLACER

• This device uses the change in buoyant force on

an object to measure the changes in the liquid
level. The displaces must have a higher specific
weight than that of the liquid level being measured
and have to be calibrated for the specific weight of
the liquid. A force or strain gauge measures the
excess weight of the displacer.
DISPLACER
 𝛾𝜋𝑑2 𝐿
𝐹=
4

𝑊𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑛 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒 𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑜𝑟 = 𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑟 − 𝐹

EXAMPLE 1
• A displacer with a diameter of 8 in is used to measure
changes in water level. If the water level changes by 1 ft
what is the change in force sensed by the force sensor?

𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒
= 𝑊𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑟 − 𝐹1 − 𝑊𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑟 − 𝐹2 = 𝐹2 − 𝐹1

62.4 𝑙𝑏/𝑓𝑡 3 × 𝜋(8 𝑓𝑡)2 × 122

𝐹2 − 𝐹1 = = 21.8 𝑙𝑏
4
EXAMPLE 2

• A 3.5 cm diameter displacer is used to measure acetone

levels. What is the change in force sensed if the liquid level
changes by 52 cm?

𝑘𝑁 2 2
7.74 3 × 𝜋3.5 𝑐𝑚 × 52𝑐𝑚
𝐹2 − 𝐹1 = 𝑚 = 3.87 𝑁 (395𝑔)
6
10 𝑐𝑚
4×
𝑚
 PROBES

• CONDUCTIVE PROBES – are used for single-point

measurements in liquids that are conductive and non-
volatile as a spark can occur. Two or more probes can
be used to indicate set levels. If the liquid is in a metal
container, the container can be used as the common
probe. When the liquid is in contact with the two
probes the voltage between the probes cause a
current to flow indicating that a set of level has been
reached.
• CAPACITIVE PROBES – are used in liquids that are
nonconductive and have a high 𝜇 and can be used for
continuous monitoring. The capacitive probe consists
of an inner rod with an outer shell; the capacitance is
measured between the two using capacitance bridge.

• ULTRASONICS – can be used for single-point or

continuous level measurement of a liquid or solid. A
single ultrasonic transmitter and receiver can be
arranged with a gap to give a single-point
measurement. As soon as liquid fills the gap, ultrasonic
waves from the transmitter reach the receiver.
Ultrasonic waves from the transmitter are reflected by
the surface of the liquid to the receiver, the time for
the waves to reach the receiver is measured.
PREPARED BY: GROUP 1 (BSEE V-GI)