In science,buoyancy is an upward force exerted by a fluid that opposes the weight of an

immersed object. In a column of fluid, pressure increases with depth as a result of the
weight of the overlying fluid.the power to float or rise in a fluid;relative lightness.

Displacer level sensors use Archimedes Principle to detect liquid level by continuously measuring
the weight of a displacer rod immersed in the process liquid. The displacer is cylindrical in shape
with a constant crosssectional area and made long or short as required.
Standard heights range from 14 inches to 120 inches. As liquid level increases, the displacer rod
experiences a greater buoyant force, making it appear lighter to the sensing instrument, which
interprets the loss of weight as an increase in level and transmits a proportional output signal. As
liquid level decreases, the buoyant force on the displacer rod decreases with a corresponding
weight increase which is interpreted as decreasing level by the level sensor which then give a
corresponding signal output.
Shown below is a typical displacer level sensor installation:

In these types of displacer level sensors, the displacer is attached to a spring which restricts its
movement for each increment of buoyancy (i.e. level change). A transmitter incorporating a Linear
Variable Differential Transformer (LVDT) is used to track the rise and fall of the displacer rod as
liquid level changes. Sophisticated electronics is then used to process the voltage signal from the
LDVT into a 420mA output signal.Archimedes Principle Applied to the Displacer
According to Archimedes Principle, the buoyant force on an immersed object is always equal to the
weight of the fluid ,volume displaced by the object.
Suppose in a displacer level sensor, we have a cylindrical displacer rod with density, , radius, r,
length, L, and process fluid of density, . In this installation, the length of the displacer rod is
proportional to the liquid level being
measured:
Volume of displacer rod, $V = r^2L$

Note that as shown in the diagram for the displacer level sensor installation above, when the vessel
is full, the displacer rod is completely immersed in the process fluid hence the volume of process
fluid displaced is $V = r^2L$. When the level of the vessel is empty or minimum, volume of
process fluid displaced is V = 0 Hence:
When vessel is full, buoyant force on displacer rod is given by:
Buoyant Force = weight of process fluid displaced
= $r^2L g$ (g = acceleration due to gravity)
Real weight of displacer = $r^2L g$
Net weight of displacer sensed by the LVDT, transmitter and associated electronics when vessel is
full is:
$ = r^2L g r^2L g = r^2Lg( ) = Vg( )$
As can be seen above, the net weight sensed by the LVDT is proportional to the difference in
density of the displacer rod () and that of the process fluid ()
Therefore, the displacer rod must have a higher specific gravity than that of the liquid level being
measured and have to be calibrated for the specific gravity of the liquid. Typical specific gravity
range for liquids where the displacer level sensor is applied is in the range of 0.25 to 1.5. Another
point worth mentioning is that the range of the displacer level
instrument is dependent only upon the length (L) of the displacer rod specified for the given
application.
When vessel is empty or level is minimum,
Buoyant force on displacer = 0
Hence, weight sensed by the LVDT is $= r^2L g$
The LVDT registers a voltage signal at minimum vessel level and outputs a corresponding signal.
The displacer length is
determined by the operating range (span) specified, the specific gravity, pressure, and temperature
of the process fluid. The diameter and weight are factory calculated to ensure correct operation and
providing accurate 420mA output.
Areas of Application
The displacer level sensor is used in level measurement applications such as knock out pots,
condensate drums,
separators, flash vessels, storage vessels and receiver tanks.
Buoyancy Formula
Liquid exerts a force on objects immersed or floating in it. This force is equal to the weight of the
liquid that is displaced by an object. This is also known as Archimedes' principle. The unit for the
buoyant force (like other forces) is the Newton (N).
buoyant force =(density of liquid)(gravitational acceleration)(volume of liquid)
= (density)(gravitational acceleration)(height of liquid)(surface area of object)
Fb= gV = ghA
Fb= buoyant force of a liquid acting on an object (N)
= density of the liquid(kg/m3)
g= gravitational acceleration(9.80 m/s2)
V= volume of liquid displaced (m3 or liters, where 1 m3 = 1000 L)
h= height of water displaced by a floating object(m)
A= surface area of a floating object(m2)
Buoyancy Formula Questions:
1) A golden crown has been placed in a tub of water. The volume of water displaced is measured to
be 1.50 liters. The density of water is 1000 kg/m3, or 1.000 kg/L. What is the buoyant force acting

on the crown?
Answer: The buoyant force can be found using the formula. First, we ensure that the units used for
volume are the same. If 1 m3 = 1000 L, then 1.50 L = 0.00150 m3. The buoyant force is:
Fb= gV
Fb= (1000 kg/m3)(9.80 m/s2)(0.00150 m3)
Fb= 14.7 kgm/s2
Fb= 14.7 N
The buoyant force acting on the golden crown is 14.7 N.