Zero Suppression and Zero Elevation

Calculations
This article provides information on Zero Suppression and Zero Elevation Calculations used in
differential pressure level transmitter.

What is Zero Suppression ?

In some cases, the level transmitter has to be mounted X meters below the base of an open tank as
shown in below figure.

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:

Phigh = S·H + S.X + Patm

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.

What is Zero Elevation ?

When a wet leg installation is used,the low pressure side of the level transmitter will always experience
a higher hydrostatic pressure than the high pressure side.

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.

When the liquid level is at H meters, we have:

Phigh =Pgas + S . H

Plow =Pgas + S . X

ΔP = Phigh – Plow = S . H – S . X = -S(X . H)

The differential pressure ΔP sensed by the transmitter is always a negative value (i.e. the low pressure
side has a higher pressure than high pressure side).

To properly calibrate the transmitter, a positive bias (S . X) is needed to elevate the transmitter output.

This positive biasing technique is called zero elevation.

Zero Suppression and Zero Elevation Example Calculation

Zero suppression calculation
Span = (x) (GL)

HW at minimum level = (z) (GS) + (y) (GL)

HW at maximum level = (z) (GS) + (x + y) (GL)

Where
GL = Specific gravity of tank liquid
GS = Specific gravity of seal liquid
HW = Equivalent head of water

x, y, and z as shown in above figure

Example:
Open tank with x = 80 inches

y = 5 inches

z = 10 inches
GL = 0.8
GS = 0.9

Span = (80)(0.8) = 64 inches

HW at minimum level = (10)(0.9) + (5)(0.8) = 13 inches

HW at maximum level = (10)(0.9) + (5 + 80)(0.8) = 77 inches

Calibrated Range = 13 to 77 inches head of water

Zero elevation calculation Closed Tank With Wet Leg

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Span = (x)(GL) Wet Leg

HW at minimum level = (y)(GL) – (d)(GS)

HW at maximum level = (x + y)(GL) – (d)(GS)

Where
GL = Specific gravity of tank liquid
GS = Specific gravity of seal liquid
HW = Equivalent head of water

Example:
Closed tank with x = 70 inches y = 20 inches, and d = 100 inches, GL = 0.8 Seal Liquid, GS = 0.9

Span = (70)(0.8) = 56 inches

HW at minimum level = (20)(0.8) – (100)(0.9) = -74 inches

HW at maximum level = (70 + 20)(0.8) – (100)(0.9) = -18 inches

Calibrated Range = -74 to -18 inches head of water

(Minus signs indicate that the higher pressure is applied to the low pressure side of the transmitter.)

Zero Elevation and Zero Suppression in Level

Measurement
One of the most misunderstood concepts when dealing with transmitters is zero elevation and
suppression. Elevation and suppression adjustments are frequently necessary in liquid level
measurement when the transmitter cannot be installed on a level with the zero level of the tank.

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.

Also Read: Zero Suppression & Zero Elevation Examples

Mathematically you can develop equations that will let you calibrate the transmitter for any given
application requiring zero elevation or suppression. It’s important to understand some basic facts about
differential pressure transmitters.

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.
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2062" src="https://instrumentationtools.com/wp-
content/uploads/2015/12/instrumentationtools.com_zero-elevation-and-zero-suppression.png"
alt="Zero Elevation and Zero Suppression" width="1110" height="1148"
srcset="https://instrumentationtools.com/wp-
content/uploads/2015/12/instrumentationtools.com_zero-elevation-and-zero-suppression.png 1110w,
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20w" sizes="(max-width: 1110px) 100vw, 1110px" />

Download the Zero Suppression & Zero Elevation Image

We know that for any situation, the sum total of effects on a transmitter should be zero for a 4 mA
output.

Therefore at the desired 4 mA condition:

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.

So this gives us two equations:

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.

Using the 4 mA condition, solve for B in: H — L+ B = O

Using the 20 mA condition, and the value of B obtained from the above calculation, solve for S: H —
L+ B = S

Calibrate the transmitter to a range of: (— B) to (— B + S)

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.

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2063" src="https://instrumentationtools.com/wp-

content/uploads/2015/12/instrumentationtools.com_closed-tank-application.png" alt="Closed Tank
Application" width="657" height="286" srcset="https://instrumentationtools.com/wp-
content/uploads/2015/12/instrumentationtools.com_closed-tank-application.png 657w,
https://instrumentationtools.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/instrumentationtools.com_closed-tank-
application-420x183.png 420w, https://instrumentationtools.com/wp-
content/uploads/2015/12/instrumentationtools.com_closed-tank-application-20x9.png 20w"
sizes="(max-width: 657px) 100vw, 657px" />

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:

H = 100. x 1.0 = 100” H20

L= 100. x 1.1 = 110” H20
So that:
H — L + B = S
100 -110 + 110 = S
S = 100” H20

So our calibration for this application is: (— B) to (— B + S)

So: — 110 to (— 110 + 100)
calibration Range is: — 100 to -10” H20

Also Read: Pressure Transmitter Uses & Applications