Level Measurements

Prepared by :
Instrument Technical Training
Yemen LNG- Sana’a

1
 Level Measurements
Level measurement is defined as the
measurement of the height of the interface
between two different media relative to
What is level measurement
datum level or bottom of the vessel

What are the methods of

level measuring devices

 Level Gauges
 Level Float & Displacers
 Level Differential Pressure
 Bubble Tube
 Radar Level Gauge
 Level Switches
2
 Level Measurements

Level Gauges

 Local visual indication

 No output signal

3
 Level Measurements

Continuous Level Float

Lever Gauge
Float Operated Gauge Torque Tube Tape Level Gauges

4
 Level Measurements

Continuous Level Displacers

What are the advantages and disadvantages

 High accuracy
 Reliable in liquid at constant density
 Can be mounted internally or externally
Require stilling chamber for
 Most popular because they do not
internal unit
require motion 5
 Level Measurements

Types of Level Displacers

Side-external (standard API RP-550) Side-internal

possible to recalibrate without (difficult to maintain)
process shutdown 6
 Level Measurements

Differential Pressure Level

Hydrostatic Pressure Measurement

Pressure measurement for LEVEL calculation

P=ρgh

P: Hydrostatic Pressure
ρ : Density
g: Gravitation Constant (9.81 m/sec2 )
h: Distance between the surface of the
liquid and the centre of the process
diaphragm

7
 Level Measurements

Differential Pressure Level

D.P. Cell Connection to a

D.P. Cell Connected Closed Tank
to an Open Tank

What are the advantages and disadvantages

 Wide measurement range

 Density variation causes errors
 Can be used for open/closed vessel
  The mounting location affects
Good for high temperatures
 Simple and easy to install calibration
8
 Level Measurements

Differential Pressure Level

D.P. Cell with “Wet Leg”

connection

When is a “dry leg” system used

The dry leg system is used providing:

 Fluid is not corrosive
 There will be no plugging
 There are no condensates at normal
9
operating temperature
 Level Measurements

Bubbles Tube

(Constant flow)

 Corrosive liquid / slurry

 Simple and inexpensive  Less accurate (1~2 %)
 Measurement of underground levels 10
 Level Measurements

Radar Level

The time-of-flight principle is

the basis of a pulse radar
A very short radar impulse is
emitted towards the media
The pulse is reflected on the
surface, received by the
combined sending-and-
receiving system and
converted into the level

 Non-contact method
 High pressures up to 160 bar
 High temperatures up to + 400 °C
 Measuring range up to 35 m 11
 Spectrum of electromagnetic waves
Frequency Wave length λ
Telephone 1 Hz
AC current 10 Hz kilometre
100 Hz
1 kH z 5 ,8 / 6 ,3 G H z
Radio 10 kH z
100 kH z
1 MHz metre
TV Television 10 MHz
100 M H z - (1 0 8 H z )
1 GHz decimetre 10 G H z
Microwaves 10 GHz centimetre
100 GHz millimetre
1 T H z - (1 0 12 H z )
Heat 10 THz micrometre
100 THz
24 G H z
1 - (1 0 15 H z )
visible 10
Light 100 nanometre
1 - (1 0 18 H z )
ultra violet 10
100
1 - (1 0 21 H z ) picometre
X-rays 10
100
1 - (1 0 24 H z ) femtometre
Gammawaves 10
cosmic radiation 100 12
 Basic prinicple of radar transmitter

Transmission
Transmitter Antenna
path

t cej bo
gni t cel f e R
Transmission
Receiver Antenna
Path

13
 The measurement principle - Time of Flight

Transmission of microwave impulses 00.40

00.33
00.00
00.02
00.04
00.06
00.08
00.10
00.12
00.14
00.16
00.18
00.20
00.22
00.24
00.26
00.28
00.30
00.32
00.34
00.36
00.38
--.--

Reflection on the surface of the medium

Receipt of the reflected impulses

Measurement of the Time of Flight

Transmitting
Receiving
Calculation of the distance between unit and
measured surface via:

00.40

d=c
2 14
 Level Measurements

Radar Level

What are the advantages and disadvantages

 No moving parts
 High accuracy  Relatively high cost
 Less maintenance
15
 Level Measurements

Level Switches

Float type
Float level switch
16
configuration
 Level Measurements

Level Switches

Displacer type
Installation of level switch 17