Differential pressure measurement is widely used as a method for monitoring the amount of closed vessels. Oftentimes, operators use individual instruments having an output signal or on-site display. In contrast, 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 founded on the following principle: For the level of the contents in the vessel, the differential pressure between your liquid and the gaseous phase is set. Furthermore, the hydrostatic pressure, the specific density of the medium and the vessel geometry are contained in the calculation. Typical 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 can be utilized flexibly, e.g. for information on the mixing ratio of liquids.
Connection via signal cable
When monitoring the level using electronic differential pressure measurement, alternatively, both measuring points have one process transmitter each. For example, the WIKA models CPT-2x and IPT-2x are suitable for this. Both transmitters are arranged as Primary instrument and Secondary instrument. They’re connected, purely electrically, via a signal cable and are therefore not vunerable to disturbances. The Primary instrument supplies the Secondary instrument with power. The Secondary instrument is parameterised with a serial interface or through the display on the Primary instrument. Finally, communication takes place via an internal bus.
Level monitoring in a closed tank
Application example
The figure on the left shows an average application example for level monitoring with electronic differential pressure measurement on a liquid tank. The Secondary instrument measures the pressure P1, in this instance the gas pressure, and transmits it to the principal instrument. This detects the pressure P2, here the pressure in the liquid column at the bottom of the tank. THE PRINCIPAL instrument calculates the differential pressure from P1 and P2. Using the measured value and taking into account the other parameters mentioned, it determines the quantity in the tank as an indication of the level. This value could be output either being an analogue or digital signal to the control room and/or to the display of the Primary instrument.
Benefits of the measuring arrangement with two process transmitters
The technique for level monitoring described here has several advantages when compared to 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, they are up to 0.05 % of the set span. Furthermore, there is the chance of ?turndown?, the average person setting of a specific measuring span (that is also possible retrospectively with instruments which are already installed.)
Minimised temperature effect
Transmission via signal cable with electronic differential pressure measurement minimises the temperature effect. On the other hand, the capillaries used in the traditional measuring method are much more susceptible here. This, in turn, can ultimately affect the measuring result.
Trustworthy measuring arrangement could be commissioned faster. Contrary to a solution with capillaries, it does not require any test run.
Reduced maintenance effort
The maintenance effort is lower: In the event of a fault, only the procedure transmitter concerned must be replaced. In contrast, 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 ideal for electronic differential pressure measurement for level monitoring, can be acquired on the WIKA website.