LEVEL SENSOR

Can be divided into three types:

1. Measurements Using the Effects of
Density : Displacer, Float, Pressure Gages,
Balance Method
2. Time-of-Flight Measurements : Ultrasonic ,
Microwaves , Laser/Light
3. Level Measurements by Detecting Physical
Properties : Electrical Properties , Radiation
Attenuation , Thermal and Mechanical
DEFINITIONS
Level is dened as the lling height of a liquid or
bulk material, for example, in a tank or reservoir.
Generally, the position of the surface is measured
relative to a reference plane, usually the tank
bottom.
If the products surface is not at (e.g., with
foam, waves, turbulences, or with coarse-grained
bulk material) level usually is dened as the average
height of a bounded area.
Two different tasks can be distinguished: (1)
continuous level measurements (level indication, LI),
and (2) level switches (LS) (e.g., to detect an alarm
limit to prevent overlling).
Principal operational modes of level measurement
1. Measurements Using the Effects of Density
Product in the tank has an effect due to its
density :
(1) producing buoyancy to a solid submerged
into the liquid,
(2) executing a force due to its weight.
1.1. Displacer
Displacers measure the
buoyancy of a solid
body that is partially
submerged in the liquid.
G D
F gm gAbp = =
The weight of force F
G
( )
B d L d A
F gAL gA b L p p = +
The buoyant force F
B
1.1. Displacer
R G B
F F F =
The resulting force F
R
( )
R
D A
d
L A
F
b
gA
L
p p
p p

=

The result for leve L

d
1.2. Float
Floats are similar to
displacers, but are
swimming on the liquids
surface due to the
buoyancy.
Hence,the density of
the oat must be lower
than the density of the
liquid.
1.3. Pressure Gages
A hydrostatic pressure
p:
0
0
L
L
p p g L
p p
L
g
p
p
= +

=
1.3. Pressure Gages
the measurements of p1
and p2 are used to
compensate for the
inuence of density
L
:
2 1
2 0
2 1
L
p p
gl
p p
L l
p p
p

=

1.4. Balance Method

Here simply the weight F of the complete tank is
measured, dependent on the level L:
( )
( )
0
0
L A
L A
F F gAL
F F
L
gA
p p
p p
= +

2. Time-of-Flight Measurements
Basic Principle:
A modulated
signal is
emitted as a
wave toward
the product,
reected at its
surface and
received by a
sensor.

3. Level Measurements by Detecting Physical
Properties
To measure level, one can detect physical
parameters that are signicantly different
between the atmosphere and the product.
For example: conductivity, viscosity, or attenuation
of any type of radiation.
3.1. Capacitive
0
3 2
1 1 2 2
3 2
1 1 2 2
0
2
1 1
ln ln
1 1
ln ln
2
L
C
d d
d d
d d
C
d d
L
tc
c c
c c
tc
=
+
| |
+
|
\ .
=
3.1. Capacitive
If the liquid itself is highly conductive:

2
1
0 1
2
0 1
1
ln
2
2
ln
d
C
d
L
C L
d
d
tc c
tc c
| |
|
\ .
= =
3
1
0 2
3
0 2
1
ln
2
2
ln
d
C
d
L
C L
d
d
tc c
tc c
| |
|
\ .
= =
If the electrode is not insulated :

3.2. Radiation Attenuation
The intensity I of gamma rays is attenuated by
the liquid according to its damping factor :

0
d
I I e
o
=
0
2
H
t T
I I

=
Note:

3.3. Thermal and Mechanical
A self-heated resistor with a high temperature
coefcient is immersed into the liquid. Heat
dissipation causes the temperature to drop
somewhat in the region where the liquid covers
the sensor.
Therefore, the resistance change is nearly linear
with the level.
This method is often used in automotive
applications
4. Instruments