Oil Pipeline Design, Operation and Construction

Measuring Instruments

6.3 Level Measurement

In the pumping station, it was found that the accurate measurement of product level in the tanks is very essential. There are some direct methods to measure the level in the tank that use the varying level of the liquid as a means of obtaining the measurements. These include bob and tape method, sight glass method and float method. The bob and tape methods the simplest method used for measurement of level in open tanks the method consists of lowering a bob (weight), attached at the end of a tape, first up to the top surface of the liquid and noting the length of the tape. The bob is then lowered up to the bottom of the tank and again reading of the length of tape from same reference is noted. The difference of two readings gives the level of liquid in tank. This method is most crude one and does not give continuous measurement Sight glass is another direct means of liquid level measurement. This consists of a graduated glass tube mounted on the side of the vessel. As the level of the liquid in tank changes so does the level of liquid in the glass tube. The gauge glass in effect, gives the operator a window to view the process fluid. The glass tube is protected by some metallic protective covering around it and only a slit is made into it so as to facilitate taking the readings. The tank is fitted with two lugs and to isolating valves so that the connection to the level gauge may be cut -off in case the glass tube breaks. Sometimes the spherical steel ball blocking the flow in case of breaking of the glass tube is also employed. The glass tube assembly is generally connected by means of mating flanges, similar flanges being provided at the end of impulse piping on the tank.

John Samir Zaky

Mina Safwat Sobhy

Samir Fouad Nassif

Usama Boshra Habib

Oil Pipeline Design, Operation and Construction

Measuring Instruments

Figure 6.3.1 Measurement is made by reading the position of liquid level on the scale of the sight glass tube. As the glass tubes are fragile they are liable to break. The standard practice is not to go in for a glass tube of more than 900 mm length. In case the height of the tank is more than 900 mm, it may be desirable to provide two or snore sight glass level gauges at different levels. When the height of tank is above the normal height of man, this device becomes useless till means are provided to reach to the highest point and note readings there.

Float operated level measuring Gauges

In liquid level measurement by floats the primary device is a float which by reason of its buoyancy follows the changing level of the liquid; the movement of the float is transferred to a pointer through some suitable mechanism. The various types of floats used are hollow metal spheres, cylinder-shaped ceramic floats and disc-shaped floats of synthetic materials. In the simplest float operated mechanism for continuous direct liquid level measurement, the float is attached to a cable which is wound around a pulley to which the indicating pointer is attached. The
John Samir Zaky Mina Safwat Sobhy Samir Fouad Nassif Usama Boshra Habib

Oil Pipeline Design, Operation and Construction

Measuring Instruments

movement of pointer is read on a scale which is calibrated in terms of the level of tank. The advantage of this method is that it is possible to read from ground level the level of liquids in tanks which are below the ground level. The simple modifications of this arrangement can be as shown in Figure 6.3.2 and 6.3.3. Out of these; the second method does not permit a wide range of level measurement, but it does have mechanical advantages that make it excellent for application. In another arrangement shown 6.3.4 the float is used to-move a magnet. As the magnet moves, it attracts a follower magnet connected by a cable to the indicator, thus providing a reading of liquid level measurement. A float guide tube is inserted downward into the vessel and is mounted with flange and gasket to the top of the tank, the lower end of the tube is closed and the inside of the tube is thus completely scaled off from the tank. Concentricity of float to tube is maintained by guide surfaces to ensure vertical motion and proper magnetic relationship between inner and outer magnets. The follower magnet inside the tube seeks a position corresponding to that of the float, thus moving the cable. The cable winds on a drum located at the top end of float guide tube. The cable is kept taut by a spiral wound spring. In one of the arrangements, the drum drives a counter and dial mechanism through a gear train to indicate level. The displacer method is also used very commonly which is very similar in action to the buoyant float, with the exception that the movement of the displacer is more restricted. When liquid level increases, tile displacer is submerged more and because of buoyancy it creates greater force. This force is transferred through a twisting or bending shaft to a pneumatic system. For every new liquid level position, there is a new force on the shaft, causing it to assume a new position. The pneumatic system is so arranged that for each new shaft position there is a new air pressure to the indicator. This method (Figure 6.3.5) has die advantage of being more sensitive to small level changes than the buoyant float and less subject to mechanical friction.

John Samir Zaky

Mina Safwat Sobhy

Samir Fouad Nassif

Usama Boshra Habib

Oil Pipeline Design, Operation and Construction

Measuring Instruments

Figure 6.3.2

Figure 6.3.3

John Samir Zaky

Mina Safwat Sobhy

Samir Fouad Nassif

Usama Boshra Habib

Oil Pipeline Design, Operation and Construction

Measuring Instruments

Figure 6.3.4

Figure 6.3.5
John Samir Zaky Mina Safwat Sobhy Samir Fouad Nassif Usama Boshra Habib