INTRODUCTION AND THEORY

Level measurement is defined as the measurement of the position of an interface between two media. These media are typically gas and liquid, but they also could be two liquids. In more recent times, the glass gage was developed as an evolution of the U-tube principle. Eventually, level measurement was used on pressurized tanks by connecting the upper end of the tube to the vessel. With equal pressure in the tube and the vessel, the liquid level in the tube was at the same point as the level in the tank.

Level measurement is a key parameter that is used for reading process values, for accounting needs, and for control. Of the typical flow, level, temperature, and pressure measurements, flow tends to be the most difficult, but level follows closely behind. Gage Principle of Measurement A gage, also known as a sight glass or manometer , operates on the U-tube principle. Gages are used as a local indicator for open or pressurized vessels. They must be accessible and located within visual range. However, they are not suitable for dark liquids (except if the magnetic type is used), and dirty fluids will prevent the liquid level from being viewed.

For safety reasons, the length of glass gages between process connections should not exceed 4 ft (1.25 m). In addition, to perform maintenance on glass gages, isolating valves are required to facilitate the removal of the gage glass. Drain and vent valves also are frequently installed. These isolating valves must be implemented in accordance with the piping specifications. In addition, glass tubes are sometimes provided with ball check valves so the process connection shuts off in the event the glass tube breaks.

Differential Pressure (or Pressure/Static Head) Principle of Measurement Differential-pressure level measurement, also known as hydrostatic, is based on the height of the liquid head (the U-tube principle). Level measurement in open tanks is based on the formula that the pressure head is equal to the liquid height above the tap multiplied by the specific gravity of the fluid being measured. In closed tanks, the true level is equal to the pressure measured at the tank bottom minus the static pressure above the liquid surface. To compensate for that static pressure, a leg is connected from the tank top to the low side of the differential pressure transmitter . Two options are available: dry leg and wet leg.

Dry Leg Calibration and Wet Leg Calibration Dry Calibration or Dry Leg Calibration method of a Differential Pressure Transmitter is performed in a closed, pressurized tank. This is a common method and one of the easiest to do. The method is almost similar to open tank level calibration. In a closed tank, the bottom most point is the HP or High Pressure point, and the top most point is the LP or the Low Pressure Point. Dry calibration holds true only when the liquid in the tank is at ambient temperature. When the liquid is hot or much colder than the ambient temperature, the liquid vapor or the condensate will fill the dry- leg. Under this condition, the dry calibration does not hold true. In such a situation, wet calibration method is to be adopted.

OBJECTIVE
To understand the level measurement techniques and its accuracy. To investigate the calibration system on level measurement unit. To become familiar in handling the level measuring instrument in plant. To study on working principle of sight glass and differential pressure transmitter. To analyse the actual deviation by comparing sight glass measurement and measurement of digital manometer.

TUTORIAL
1) Level measurement is a key parameter that is used for reading process values, for accounting needs, and for control. Of the typical flow, level, temperature, and pressure measurements, flow tends to be the most difficult, but level follows closely behind. One important reason for measuring level is to keep track of inventory in terms of volume or weight. Consumers want to know the amount of material available for a process.

2) Dry leg system and Wet leg system. 3) When the depth of liquid increases, the liquid pressure also increases. Pressure transmitter can be use to measure level.

4) Level measurement in open tanks is based on the formula that the pressure head is equal to the liquid height above the tap multiplied by the specific gravity of the fluid being measured. In closed tanks, the true level is equal to the pressure measured at the tank bottom minus the static pressure above the liquid surface. To compensate for that static pressure, a leg is connected from the tank top to the low side of the differential pressure transmitter . 5) The error is human error or parallax error, where eye sight is normally not at position 90 degree. So, may be the actual measured level is not accurate which lead to some deviations. The next is inability to close the valve accurately when reducing or discharging water to measure the following levels

6) The objective of the wet leg calibration is to adjust the transmitter so that the following occur: The transmitter output is at its minimum value when the transmitter measures a differential pressure produced by liquid level Lmin minus the wet leg pressure. The transmitter output is at its maximum value when the transmitter measures a differential pressure produced by liquid level Lmax minus the wet leg pressure. In applications where the gas above the liquid can condense(e.g., water into steam), condensation will gradually fill the low-pressure piping and cause measurement error. To eliminate such errors, a wet leg system is commonly used . In a wet leg system, the piping connected to the lowpressure side of the DP transmitter is filled with a suitable reference fluid that is compatible with the piping and transmitter. This filled piping is referred to as the wet leg or the reference leg.

REFERENCES

E-BOOK

1. Battikha, N.E., (2006), The condensed of handbook of measurement and control, 3rd Edition, ISA (The Instrumentation, Systems, and Automation Society). [12 March 2014].

2. Mike.C.,(2005). Calibration:A Technicians Guide, ISA (The Instrumentation, Systems, and Automation Society,USA. Available from: Google books. [13 March 2014]

3. Ghosh, A (eds.) 2005, .Introduction to Instrumentation and Control, Prentice Hall of India, New Delhi. Available from: Google books. [12 March 2014].

INTERNET
4. Sight glass,2014, Available from:< http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sight_glass >. [13 March 2014]

5. Control 2014,Beginner's Guide to Differential Pressure Level Transmitters, Available from: < http://www. controlglobal.com/articles/2009/guidetopressurelev eltrans0902/> . [12March 2014]