Automation Lecture 9

Pressure Sensor types

Absolute pressure sensors measure pressure with respect to a zero pressure reference value (vacuum reference). Differential pressure sensors measure the difference between two pressure environments. Negative pressure sensors measure vacuum pressure with respect to atmospheric (ambient) pressure. Gauge pressure sensors behave much the same way as differential pressure sensors, but measure positive pressure in relation to the environment's ambient pressure

Piston Based Pressure Sensor

Burdon Tubes

A Bourdon tube is a short bent tube, closed at one end. When the tube is pressurized, it tends to straighten out. This motion is proportional to the applied pressure.

Bellows

This sensor uses a small metal bellows to convert pressure into linear motion. As the pressure inside increases, the bellows expand against the resistance of a spring (the spring is often the bellows itself). This motion is detected with a position sensor such as a pot.

Piezoresistive Pressure sensor

A high-density diffusion layer of piezoresistive material is formed to make a resistive layer on a film. Compression of this semiconductor film element bends the crystalline form of the piezo material so as to change its resistance value in proportion to the amount of stress on its surface. The signal changes are then amplified and interpreted as pressure readings.

Flow Transducers
Flow sensors measure the volume of material that passes the sensor in a given time. Such sensors are widely used in process control industries. Measured material can be: -Fluid -Gas -Conductive -Not Conductive

Mechanical flow Transducers

Flow Transducers based on pressure Measurement

Pressure sensors are often used to measure fluid flow. The faster the fluid is flowing, the more pressure it will create in the open end of the pitot type flow meter. Pressure upstream from a restricted orifice in a pipe is always higher than pressure downstream from that restriction. The greater the flow rate, the greater the pressure difference, so if a differential pressure sensor compares pressures before and after the restriction, then flow rate can be determined. The restriction orifice required by such a sensor reduces the flow.

Magnetic Flow Measurement

The operation of a magnetic flowmeter or mag meter is based upon Faraday's Law, which states that the voltage induced across any conductor as it moves at right angles through a magnetic field is proportional to the velocity of that conductor. -fluid being measured must be electrically conductive -No pressure loss -No moving parts - ~3000Euro

Ultrasonic Flow Meter

The basic principle of operation employs the frequency shift (Doppler Effect) of an ultrasonic signal when it is reflected by suspended particles or gas bubbles (discontinuities) in motion. This metering technique utilizes the physical phenomenon of a sound wave that changes frequency when it is reflected by moving discontinuities in a flowing liquid. Ultrasonic sound is transmitted into a pipe with flowing liquids, and the discontinuities reflect the ultrasonic wave with a slightly different frequency that is directly proportional to the rate of flow of the liquid An ultrasonic flowmeter (non-intrusive Doppler flow meters) is a volumetric flow meter which requires particulates or bubbles in the flow. Ultrasonic flowmeters are ideal for wastewater applications or any dirty liquid which is conductive or water based. Ultrasonics flowmeters will generally not work with distilled water or drinking water. Aerations would be required in the clean liquid applications. Ultrasonic flowmeters are also ideal for applications where low pressure drop, chemical compatibility, and low maintenance are required.

Rotameter

A rotameter consists of a tapered tube, typically made of glass, with a float inside that is pushed up by flow and pulled down by gravity. At a higher flow rate more area (between the float and the tube) is needed to accommodate the flow, so the float rises. Floats are made in many different shapes, with spheres and spherical ellipses being the most common.

Temperature Sensors
positive temperature coefficient (desirable), which means that the sensor output goes up as the temperature goes up negative temperature coefficient, which means that the output goes down as the temperature goes up

Bimetallic Temperature Sensors

The bimetallic strip is a laminate of two metals with different coefficients of thermal expansion. As the temperature rises, the metal on the inside expands more than the metal on the outside, and the spiral tends to straighten out. These sensors are typically used for on-off control

Resistance Temperature Detector (RTD)

The resistance temperature detector (RTD) is a temperature sensor based on the fact that metals increase in resistance as temperature rises. Platinum wire has a temperature coefficient of 0.0039 //C, which means that the resistance goes up 0.0039 for each ohm of wire for each Celsius degree of temperature rise. RTDs are available in different resistances, a common value being 100 . Thus, a 100- platinum RTD has a resistance of 100 at 0C, and it has a positive temperature coefficient of 0.39 /C. Platinum wire has a temperature coefficient of 0.0039 //C, which means that the resistance goes up 0.0039 for each ohm of wire for each Celsius degree of temperature rise. RTDs are available in different resistances, a common value being 100 . Thus, a 100- platinum RTD has a resistance of 100 at 0C, and it has a positive temperature coefficient of 0.39 /C.

Thermocouples
The thermocouple is based on the Seebeck effect, a phenomenon whereby a voltage that is proportional to temperature can be produced from a circuit consisting of two dissimilar metal wires.

Thermistor
A thermistor is a two-terminal device that changes resistance with temperature. Thermistors are made of oxidebased semiconductor materials and come in a variety of sizes and shapes. Thermistors are nonlinear; therefore, they are not usually used to get an accurate temperature reading but to indicate temperature changes, for example, overheating. Also, most thermistors have a negative temperature coefficient, which means the resistance decreases as temperature increases, as illustrated with the solid line in the graph of Figure 6.50(a). A very desirable feature of these devices is their high sensitivity. A relatively small change in temperature can produce a large change in resistance.

Discrete Liquid Level Detection

Continuous Level Detection