LEVEL

INSTRUMENTS

Lecture # 13
 CONTENTS

 Introduction
 Methods of Liquid Level Measurement
 Point Level Method
 Continuous Level Method
 Direct Methods
 Indirect Methods

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INTRODUCTION

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 “LEVEL IS SIMPLY A MEASURE OF HEIGHT”

 The sensing and control of level or height of

materials in container or vessel is necessary in many
process industries and thus require proper
instrumentation techniques.

 Level is measured at the position of the interface

between two phases, such as liquid/gas, solid/gas, or
immiscible liquid/liquid.

 It defines the position of the interface, that is, the

surface where the two phases meet with respect to a
reference point.
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POINT & CONTINUOUS LEVEL METHODS

 Point level detection  Continuous level

involves indicating detection gives level
level with a preset for entire range
level condition at a rather than for a
single point. point and gives
uninterrupted level
indication.

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 DIRECT LIQUID
LEVEL
MEASUREMENT
 Gauge glass
 Floats
i. Ball float
ii. Chain/tape type
iii. Magnetic type
iv. Displacer 6
GAUGE GLASS

 This is the most simple direct method of level

measurement and is basically like a manometer.

 A transparent tube is attached vertically adjacent to

the vessel and the liquid height in the tube is a direct
representation of the liquid level in the vessel.

 A graduated scale is attached with the tube to give

quantitative measure to the level measurement.

 The tube can be made of glass or plastic depending

on the process fluids temperature and pressure.
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FLOATS

The floats are based on the buoyancy

principle, placed on the surface or interface
between two phases.

They are motion balanced devices that move

with the changing level.

The change in the position of the float is

communicated to a scale through different
mechanisms and is the basis for different
types of float devices.
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BALL FLOAT

 This type consists of a float shaped like a ball. A

hollow sphere of metal is most commonly used.

 Although any size and material can be used but

the material should have density less than the
density of liquid.

 It is a direct level measuring mechanism with a

pulley like arrangement having a lever attached
to a rotary shaft to indicate level on a calibrated
scale. 10
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CHAIN/TAPE TYPE FLOAT

 In this type, a flexible chain or tape is used to

connect the float and the indicating mechanism.

 The difference in this type from the ball type is

presence of a weight to counterbalance the
weight of the float and keeping chain or tape
under constant tension.

 It is a direct measuring instrument and the level

is indicated by movement of the counterweight
over a reading gauge. 12
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MAGNETIC TYPE FLOAT

A magnetic type float device uses a float of

magnetic material and coupling float to
magnetic mechanism to actuate a read level
on a gauge.

This type constitutes a magnetic float placed

outside a non-magnetic tube containing a
magnet inside connected to the indicator.

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DISPLACER

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 INDIRECT LIQUID
LEVEL MEASUREMENT

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 INTRODUCTION

Indirect level measurement involves

converting measurements of some other
quantity in terms of height.

 Example:
Pressure to level conversion; by determining how much
pressure is exerted over a given area at a specific measuring
point, the height of the substance above that measuring point
can also be determined.

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 INDIRECT METHODS OF LEVEL
MEASUREMENT

1. Pressure Level Detectors

 Differential pressure type
 Bubbler tube
2. Electrical Methods
 Capacitance level detectors
 Conductivity level detectors
3. Radiation Level Detectors
 Radar/Microwave
 Ultrasonic
 Nuclear

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PRESSURE LEVEL
DETECTORS

 Differential Pressure Type

 Bubbler Tube

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DIFFERENTIAL PRESSURE TYPE

 The pressure exerted by column of liquid in a

vessel also known as hydrostatic head is utilized
to indicate the level of liquid in the vessel.

 The weight or pressure of liquid in a vessel is

directly proportional to its height/level and
density.

 The hydrostatic pressure is also dependent on

atmospheric pressure acting down the liquid
which is accounted for by measuring differential
pressure.
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DIFFERENTIAL PRESSURE TYPE

 The differential of pressure is created by taking

higher pressure at the bottom of the tank and
lower pressure or atmospheric pressure as
reference.

 When the vessel is not open to atmosphere or in

a pressurized vessel the lower pressure is also
taken from the vessel usually at the top.

 The pressure sensors utilized for level

measurement can be any of the available for the
pressure measurement.
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BUBBLER TUBE

 This instrument essentially consists of a tube

with its open end inserted near the bottom of the
tank.

 Inert gas or clean air is forced out of the tube. As

the gas flows down to the tube’s outlet, the
pressure in the tube rises until it overcomes the
hydrostatic pressure produced by the liquid level
at the outlet.

 That pressure equals the process fluid’s density

multiplied by its depth from the end of the tube
to the surface and is monitored by a pressure
transducer connected to the tube.
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BUBBLER TUBE

Advantages
Simple assembly
Suitable for use with corrosive fluids

Disadvantages
Requires compressed air and installation of
air lines
Build up of material on tube’s end not
permissible
Not suited to pressurized vessels
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THANK YOU

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