Differential Pressure

Differential pressure is a pressure that is measured relative to the pressure in the atmosphere
around it. The other type of pressure is absolute pressure, which is measured against absolute
z e r o , b u t i s n o t o f t e n u s e d t o m e a s u r e p r e s s u r e i n r e a l - l i f e s c e n a r i o s . R a t h e r, i n s t r u m e n t s
measure in differential pressure, which can then be compared to atmospheric pressure to
determine whether it is a gauge pressure or a vacuum pressure.
 A
  gauge pressure occurs when the measured differential pressure is greater than the
atmospheric pressure

whereas a vacuum pressure is the opposite:

In both equations P is the system's absolute pressure and is the atmospheric pressure.
Differential Pressure Level Sensor
Measurement
In actuality, differential pressure level measurement technology does not measure level. It just infers
level of the process liquid.
To accommodate the measurement of light slurries, differential pressure transmitters are available
with extended diaphragms that fit flush to the side of the vessel.
Differential pressure transmitters are generally found to be more cost effective as compared to
other level sensors. However, they often require substantial extra hardware like legs and valve
manifolds and labor for successful and stable installation purpose.
Differential pressure level sensors are particularly useful for preventing the problem of GIGO i.e.
Garbage In, Garbage Out, experienced in various level applications.
Level measurement method with the help of differential pressure is also known as hydrostatic tank
gaging method i.e. HTG.
 Differential Pressure Level Sensor
Differential Pressure (DP) detector method of liquid level measurement uses a DP detector
connected to the bottom of the tank being monitored. The higher pressure, caused by the fluid in
the tank, is compared to a lower reference pressure (usually atmospheric). This comparison takes
place in the DP detector.
The tank is open to the atmosphere, therefore, it is necessary to use only the high pressure
connection on the DP transmitter.
Schematic Diagram of DP Level Sensor
Not all the tanks or vessels are open to the atmosphere.
Many are totally enclosed to prevent vapors or steam from
escaping, or to allow pressurizing the content of the tank.
When measuring the level in a tank that is pressurized, or the
level that can become pressurized by vapor pressure from the
liquid, both the high pressure and low pressure sides of the
DP transmitter must be connected.
When the tank contains a condensable fluid, such as steam, a
slightly different arrangement is used.
In applications with condensable fluids, condensation is greatly
increased in the reference leg. To compensate for this effect, the
reference leg is filled with the same fluid as the tank. The liquid
in the reference leg applies a hydrostatic head to the high
pressure side of the transmitter and the value of this level is
constant as long as the reference leg is maintained full.
Differential pressure level measurement technique makes use of
a differential pressure detector which is installed at the bottom of
the tank whose level is to be detected. The liquid inside the tank
creates pressure which is comparatively higher than the
reference atmospheric pressure. This pressure comparison is
performed via the Differential pressure detector.
 For closed vessels and tanks, DP transmitters can measure the pressure
of the fluid in the vessel as well as the pressure head above the level. In
this case, the DP transmitter can determine the level of the tank at any
given moment using the differential pressure.

The relationship between pressure and level: P = ρ×g×h

Level ρ = density of the liquid

Measurement g = acceleration due to gravity

h = height of the column of liquid

DP transmitters should only measure fluids with densities that don’t

change with temperature variation, since this will disturb the precision
of your measurement.
 Applications of DPLS

You can use differential pressure

transmitters to measure level, flow, and
pressure in most industries. These
Differential Pressure (DP) Level
differential pressure applications operate
Measurement uses pressure readings and
with a wide variety of fluids even at high
specific gravity to output level. DP Level is
temperatures, pressures, flow rates, and
a common measurement technique that
velocities. For instance, DP transmitters
is used in a wide variety of applications.
can measure the pressure difference in a
sampling chamber divided by a
diaphragm.
 Differential Pressure Level Detector
Advantages
Following are the major advantages associated with techniques of level
measurement using differential pressure.
Differential pressure based level sensors can be easily mounted or
retrofitted to the surface of the vessel.
To carry out maintenance and testing, these sensors can be provided
with block valves for isolating them carefully from the process liquid.
They can be easily applied in level measurement applications such as
total level in separator vessels where other level measurement devices
are not feasible owing to the extensive changes in material formation
experienced in the upper state.
Disadvantages
Use of differential pressure transmitters includes few drawbacks too,
which are mentioned below:
Errors can get introduced in the measurements if the density of the
process fluid varies because of reasons such as temperature variations
or change of process. Hence, the density of the process must always be
maintained constant in order to get accurate results.
Differential pressure transmitter works well with clean liquids only.
Besides, it necessitates two vessel penetrations for its operation, out of
which one is installed near the vessel base where leakage happens.
Their use is always avoided with liquids such as paper pulp stock since
they result in solidification upon rise in their concentrations
 Maintenance Required

Calibration of the transmitter is necessary in case a change of range is required, or if

the unit has been removed for cleaning or part replacement.
In normal operating conditions the transmitter does not require specific
maintenance. The pneumatic instrumentation operation depends on the purity of
the air supplied. Daily bleed the filter in the air supply line until any water, air or
other impurities are completely expelled.
 DYNAMIC RESTRICTION CLEANING

Dust and dirt in the air supply might adversely affect the correct operation of the transmitter. For cleaning,
proceed as follows:
1) Eliminate supply to transmitter.
2) Remove screw and clean by means of a Ø mm steel wire.
3) If the capillary orifice is obstructed, clean it with a bath in trichloroethylene and a blow of compressed air.
Before fastening screw, we recommend lubricating O-Rings by applying a coat of silicone lubricant.
Dynamic Model Equation for DP Level
Sensor

 
Equation is based on the assumption that the detector behaves as the first order process.
Dynamic behavior of the sensor is described by the time constant since the gain is unity.
L is the level.