Chapter 3:

Level
Measurement

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 Objectives
• Define the level
• Differentiate direct measurement
& indirect measurement
• Apply the factor for selecting level
measurement device
• Differentiate between open &
closed tank measurement
• Understand the principle,
operation, advantages &
disadvantages of devices
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 Introduction
Measured at position of interface between phase
(height)
Direct & indirect
Vertical measurement – surface to reference point
Pressure at base  height – hydrostatic
pressure P = gh

Liquid level measuring devices are classified into

two groups:
• (a) direct method
• (b) indirect method
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 Direct Level Measurement
•Employs physical properties – fluid motion,
buoyancy, optical, thermal, electrical properties
•Position interface – monitored visually
•Simplicity
•Not require compensation for changes level
causes by temperature changes.

Indirect Level Measurement

•Involves converting measurement – other
quantity
•Temperature – affected accuracy of indirect level
measurement (changes density – affected pressure)
•Compensate – sensitive specific gravity &
temperature
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Open Tank Measurement

• Simplest application
• HP – base of tank
• LP – vent to atm
• 0% level – 4 mA
• 100% level – 20 mA
Phigh = Patm + gH
Plow = Patm

Differential Pressure
= Phigh – Plow = gH
Closed Tank Measurement
• HP – base of tank
• LP – top of tank
• Connected to DP

Phigh = Pgas + gH

Plow = Pgas
Differential Pressure
= Phigh – Plow = gH

The effect of gas pressure is cancelled

and only pressure due to hydrostatic
head of the liquid is sensed.
Level Measuring Devices
Sight Glasses
Principles
• visual
measurement
• transparent
tube of
glass/plastic
mounted
outside vessel
• level inside
vessel = level
sight glass
Operations

• Principle - equal pressure on the

surfaces of two connected columns
causes liquid to seek same level
• one leg represent process, another
transparent tube
• fluctuates; level changes- true
representation of the process level
• tube have a scale – indicator for
direct reading
• can be adapted to open / closed
tank
• closed-tank sight glass used in both
pressurized & atmospheric process
• Application on pressurized vessels -
boiler drum, evaporators,
condensers, distillation column &
stills
• Low & high pressure process
Low pressure sight
glass
• clear round tube
fitted between service
valve
• equipped with ball
checks, inserted within
valve chamber
• – shut off flow if
leak/rupture
• Ball checks permit free
flow of fluid when level
changing
 High pressure sight
glass
• Contain liquid under high
pressure – reflex sight glass
used
• Is armored; permit it
tolerate higher temp &
pressure
• Viewing glass
– install in protective high-
pressure housing
• 1 inch thick
 Magnetic
Principles
Gauges
• used the attraction between 2 magnet to
follow a liquid level (1 magnet enclosed
in a float ring & 1 inside a nonmagnetic
tube – magnet follower)
• tube made from nonmagnetic metal /
PVC pipe
• Magnet balance by counterweight; fall &
rise easily
Operations

• ring-shaped floating
magnet fits around the
outside of the tube &
follows any change in
the liquid level.
• the magnet inside the tube follows the
floating magnet & moves the indicator
along calibrated scale
• tank sealed – liquid not leave the tank
• cannot used to measure liquid if
floating is stick to tube
• tube material should withstand the
temperature, pressure & chemical
action
 Typical
Installations
of Magnetic
Gauge

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 Ultrasonic & Sonic Sensors
Principles

• Measuring device not contact with

process material
• measures distance from one point in
vessel to level interface
• operate on the echo principles
• different ultrasonic & sonic;
operating range (US: 20kHz & S:
10kHz /below)
 • Ultrasonic sound pulses are
reflected by the surface of the liquid
• Non-contact level sensing of water,
emulsions, oils, chemicals and effluent
• Provides proportional indication of
level via a 0/4-20mA or 0-10V output
• Typical range 0.25 to 10m
• Provides accurate level indication,
but can be affected by dust or foam
• Can be used with solids, but range
reduced by 50%
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• can be used continuously
• sonic conductivity precise; depend the
density & characteristic of surface
• sound waves tend to pass through
most gases.
• waves lost kinetic energy through
friction
• liquid more reflective
• gas more adsorb
Operations

• sonic level
measurement
dependent on sound
wave striking live
medium & reflecting
wave
• dead media adsorb
most sound
energy

Sound energy absorbed

d
Sound energy incidentonsurface
• value d; depend the
frequency sound wave.
• influenced by surface
porosity, material
thickness, rigidity
• continuous, based on
time elapses from
generation of sound
wave to detection of
the reflected wave
 Level measurement troubleshooting
• Connections
• DP cell sensing line connection is reversed
• High operating pressure & low hydrostatic
pressure; easy to occur
• Actual level , indicated level ↓
• Over-pressuring
• 3 valve manifolds on DP cell
– prevent over-pressuring & easy to remove
• Fail immediately / diaphragm become
distorted
• Low / high reading
 • Obstructed sensing lines
• Small diameter; clogged with
particulate – inaccurate reading
• Sluggish response to level changes
• To overcome: periodic draining &
flushing
• Draining sensing lines
• To remove debris / particulate settle on
the bottom vessel / in line
• Close tank; remove condensate
– prevent fluid pressure build up in
LP impulse line
• Leaking / drained wet leg – false
high level indication
Lead line

LT

Reflex sight glass

 Ultrasonic

Cable Float Magnetic Float

Capacitance
Side mounting
Float

Sight glass
End…

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