Differential pressure measurement is widely used as a method for monitoring the amount 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 produced by WIKA using two process transmitters in a primary-secondary relationship.
Dejected monitoring application using differential pressure measurement is based on the next principle: For the amount 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. Typical measuring instruments have two adjacent process connections for the pressures P1 and P2. For level measurement, a capillary must 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 home elevators 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 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 so are therefore not vunerable to disturbances. The Primary instrument supplies the Secondary instrument with power. Evil is parameterised via a serial interface or through the display on the principal instrument. Finally, communication occurs via an interior 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 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 Primary instrument calculates the differential pressure from P1 and P2. Using the measured value and considering the other parameters mentioned, it determines the quantity in the tank as an indication of the level. This value can 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 levels of accuracy. Regarding the WIKA models, these are up to 0.05 % of the set span. Furthermore, there is the possibility of ?turndown?, Should of a particular measuring span (that 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 used in the traditional measuring method are a lot more susceptible here. This, subsequently, 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 process transmitter concerned has to be replaced. In contrast, with measuring differential pressure with capillaries, the entire 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.