Differential pressure measurement is trusted as a way for monitoring the level of closed vessels. Oftentimes, operators use individual instruments with an output signal or on-site display. On the other hand, a more precise and fault-immune solution may be the measuring arrangement developed by WIKA using two process transmitters in a primary-secondary relationship.
Each level monitoring application using differential pressure measurement is based on the following principle: For the level of the contents in the vessel, the differential pressure between your liquid and the gaseous phase is determined. Furthermore, the hydrostatic pressure, the specific density of the medium and the vessel geometry are included in the calculation. pressure gauge 10 bar measuring instruments have two adjacent process connections for the pressures P1 and P2. For level measurement, a capillary has to bridge the pronounced distance between the two measuring points.
Measurement with two process transmitters as Primary instrument (right) and Secondary instrument. This measuring arrangement for level monitoring may be used flexibly, e.g. for info on the mixing ratio of liquids.
Connection via signal cable
When monitoring the particular level using electronic differential pressure measurement, however, both measuring points have one process transmitter each. For instance, the WIKA models CPT-2x and IPT-2x are ideal for this. Both transmitters are arranged as Primary instrument and Secondary instrument. They are connected, purely electrically, with a signal cable and are therefore not susceptible to disturbances. The Primary instrument supplies the Secondary instrument with power. The Secondary instrument is parameterised via a serial interface or through the display on the principal instrument. Finally, communication takes place via an interior bus.
Level monitoring in a closed tank
Application example
The figure on the left shows a typical application example for level monitoring with electronic differential pressure measurement on a liquid tank. digital pressure gauge measures the pressure P1, in this case the gas pressure, and transmits it to the Primary instrument. This detects the pressure P2, here the pressure in the liquid column in the bottom of the tank. THE PRINCIPAL instrument calculates the differential pressure from P1 and P2. Using the measured value and taking into account another parameters mentioned, it determines the quantity in the tank being an indication of the particular level. This value can be output either as an analogue or digital signal to the control room and/or to the display of the principal instrument.
Advantages of the measuring arrangement with two process transmitters
The method for level monitoring described here has several advantages in comparison with a conventional method, for instance, with a differential pressure transmitter:
Higher accuracy and ?turndown?
Process transmitters deliver higher degrees of accuracy. Regarding the WIKA models, these are around 0.05 % of the set span. In addition, there is the possibility of ?turndown?, the average person setting of a particular measuring span (this is also possible retrospectively with instruments that are already installed.)
Minimised temperature effect
Transmission via signal cable with electronic differential pressure measurement minimises the temperature effect. In contrast, the capillaries found in the conventional measuring method are much more susceptible here. This, in turn, can ultimately affect the measuring result.
Fast commissioning
The electronic measuring arrangement can be commissioned faster. Contrary to a remedy with capillaries, it does not require any test run.
Reduced maintenance effort
The maintenance effort is leaner: In case of a fault, only the procedure transmitter concerned should be replaced. On the other hand, with measuring differential pressure with capillaries, the complete measuring arrangement should be replaced.
Note
Further information on the model CPT-2x and IPT-2x process transmitters, which are suitable for electronic differential pressure measurement for level monitoring, can be acquired on the WIKA website.