EIPINI Chapter 4: Level Measurement Page 4-1

4. LEVEL MEASUREMENT
This chapter aims to introduce students to some of the level measurement technologies used to measure the level of liquids and granulars in a container.

4.1 INTRODUCTION
On the 28th of March, 1979, thousands of people fled from Three Mile Island when the cooling system of a nuclear reactor failed. This dangerous situation developed because the level controls turned off the coolant flow to the reactor when they detected the presence of cooling water near the top of the tank. Unfortunately, the water reached the top of the reactor vessel not because there was too much water in the tank, but because there was so little that it boiled and swelled to the top. From this example, we can see that level measurement is more complex than simply the determination of the presence or absence of a fluid at a particular elevation. Most level measurement techniques can be categorized into one of two groups direct and indirect (inferred) methods. Direct methods involve measuring the height of fluid directly as for example with a dipstick, overflow pipe, float or sight glass. With indirect methods, another variable is measured that correlate to the liquid level. Measuring the weight of a substance in a container or the pressure exerted on the bottom of a tank or transmitting an ultrasonic beam to the level surface and measuring the time of flight of the transmitted and received signal, is indirectly related to the level height. Level measurement may also be continuous or point-level. A continuous method refers to a technique whereby the device measures level on a constant basis, displaying or transmitting the actual level of the liquid as it changes. Point-level devices measure liquid at specific points within the tank. As the liquid level rises and falls, it passes through definite points during it's transit. Continuous methods may however be programmed to output alarms at specific points also, in addition to transmitting a continuous level measurement. Level measuring devices are also described as either a contact or non-contact type of instrument. A contact type device, such as a float, makes physical contact with the liquid in the container, in order to determine the level. A non-contact device, such as ultrasonic or radar, does not require contact with the material in the container to measure the level.

4.2 THE SIGHT GLASS

The sight glass consists of a strengthened glass tube, attached to the container as shown in Figure 4-1, through which the fluid level in the container can easily be observed by the operator. Monitoring the level from a distance, is facilitated when a magnetic float inside the tube, is allowed to rise and fall with the liquid level, causing metallic flags (or louvers) to flip and expose a different colour, indicating the level. These devices are available with continuous monitoring equipment, allowing both a local visible indication as well as an external signal for remote monitoring.