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Calculations
This article provides information on Zero Suppression and Zero Elevation Calculations used in
differential pressure level transmitter.
The liquid in the high pressure impulse line exerts a constant pressure (P = S . X) on the high pressure
side.
That is, the pressure on the high pressure side of the DP Transmitter is always higher than the
actual pressure exerted by the liquid column in the tank by (SG . X) – so the reading will be in error
high.
This constant pressure would cause an output signal that is higher than 4 mA when the tank is empty
and above 20 mA when it is full.
When the liquid level is at H meters, pressure on the high pressure side of the transmitter will be:
Plow= Patm
ΔP = Phigh – Plow = S . H + S . X
The transmitter has to be negatively biased by a value of S.X so that the output of the transmitter is
proportional to the tank level (S . H) only.
The above procedure is called Zero Suppression and it can be done during calibration of the
transmitter.
This is due to the fact that the height of the wet leg (X) is always just greater than the maximum height
of the liquid column (H) inside the tank.
Plow =Pgas + S . X
To properly calibrate the transmitter, a positive bias (S . X) is needed to elevate the transmitter output.
Where
GL = Specific gravity of tank liquid
GS = Specific gravity of seal liquid
HW = Equivalent head of water
Example:
Open tank with x = 80 inches
y = 5 inches
z = 10 inches
GL = 0.8
GS = 0.9
<
Example:
Closed tank with x = 70 inches y = 20 inches, and d = 100 inches, GL = 0.8 Seal Liquid, GS = 0.9
(Minus signs indicate that the higher pressure is applied to the low pressure side of the transmitter.)
The definition is following, but to understand elevation and suppression, its easiest if you look at it from
a mathematical viewpoint, that is described in the second part of this paragraph.
Zero Elevation
for an elevated zero range, the amount the measure variable zero is above the lower range value. It
may be expressed either in units of measured variables or in percent of span.
Zero Suppression
for a suppressed zero range, the amount the measured variable zero is below the lower range value.
It may be expressed either in units of the measured variable, or in percent of span.
First, in order to obtain an increasing output, the high side of the transmitter must always be increasing
in pressure relative to the low side.
Therefore, to achieve a 20 mA output, the net result of all forces on both the high and low sides of the
transmitter must be such that the high side is greater than the low side by an amount equal to the
calibrated span of the transmitter.
Second, the purpose of the calibration biases (elevation and suppression) is to apply a differential
pressure to those situations where a 4 mA output is desired at some point other than 0 differential
pressure.
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We know that for any situation, the sum total of effects on a transmitter should be zero for a 4 mA
output.
H – L+ B = O
Where:
H = is the pressure (relative to atmosphere) applied at the high side of the transmitter in inches H20
L = is the pressure (relative to atmosphere) applied at the low side of the transmitter in inches H20.
B = is the bias factor, in inches H20, which can be either positive or negative.
At a 20 mA condition:
H – L+ B = S
Where:
S = is the calibrated span of the transmitter, which can never be zero or negative.
H – L + B = O at 4 mA
H–L+B=S at 20 mA
With these two equations, it is now possible to determine the calibration for any situation according to
the following procedures:
Analyse the specific application to identify all fluid forces on both sides of the transmitter at the point
where you want 4 mA Output and the point where you want 20 mA output.
For example, Figure below represents a closed tank application where we want a 4 mA output when
the level is at the bottom tap and 20 mA output at the top tap.
We also know that the low side leg is always filled with material whose specific gravity is 1.1. If the
specific gravity of the fluid in the tank is 1.0, what is the calibration?
At 4 mA:
H = 0
L = 100” x 1.1 = 110” H20
So that:
H — L + B = 0
0 —110 + B = 0
B = 110
At 20 mA: