Level Gauges

Level Gauges
Presented by: Qassim M. Raj

Emp. # 0419
Piping Department
Contents of the Presentation
1. Level Gauge
2. Selection Criteria
3. Application
4. Different Types of Level Gauges
5. Components of LG
6. Installation
7. Sample Data Sheets
Level Gauge
Level gauges are devices used in the measurement of level of fluids at
various industrial applications.
These devices are used to determine the level of liquid in tanks, drums.
pressure vessels etc.
Normally, fluids are used in many forms in highly commercial industries.

Without proper devices it will be very difficult to find the quantity and
level of fluid stored.
Also, in certain situations where the nature of fluid is dangerous or the

place in which the liquid is stored is of such a nature that it is manually
impossible to find the level, then the level indicators are of utmost
importance.
Selection Criteria
Selection and Proper installation depends on a number of variables;
a) The type of vessel, fluid or material involved

b) Process Conditions (pressure, temperature, specific gravity etc.)
c) What the instrument is to accomplish
Reference: “ API RP 551 Section 3, Clause 3.1 Scope”

Types of Level Gauges
Based on working Based on end
principle connection of Level
Gauges
• Transparent Type LG • Top/ Bottom
• Reflex Type LG • Side/ Side
• Magnetic Type LG • Side/ Bottom
• Top/ Side
• Back connection
Types of Level Gauges
• Top/ Bottom
• Side/ Side
• Side/ Bottom
• Top/ Side
• Back connection
Application of Different Types
• Transparent level indicators are highly useful in chemical industries and
petrochemical fertilizers. As the fluid is stored in high pressure and high
temperature, the transparent level indicator is very useful to find the fluid
level.
• Reflex level indicators are for applications that involve high temperature,
high pressure and use of corrosive fluids. The colorless fluid used in this
apparatus gives better clarity to level indication.
• Magnetic level indicators are red followers that need magnetic level
indicators. Cylindrical floats and powerful magnets are used to find the
level of the fluid. The float movement is followed by magnetic capsules,
and thus, the level in indicated. This type of indicator has good visibility
and is absolutely safe to use as it contains non-fragile metal chamber.
Transparent Level Gauges
Working Principle
Transparent level gauges are always fitted with two plate transparent glasses
between which the fluid is contained.
The fluid level is indicated as the result of the different transparency of the
two media and in some cases (for water steam),
by conveying upwards on to the surface of separation
(between liquid and gaseous substances)
a source of light located at the back
of the gauge, the rays of which are totally
reflected down to the observer.
Transparent Level Gauges
Application
 The observation of liquid/liquid interface

 The observation of the liquid color
 The observation of turbidity
Reflex Level Gauge
Working Principle
Reflex level gauges working principle is based on the light refraction and
reflection laws.
Reflex level gauges use glasses having the face fitted towards the chamber
shaped to have prismatic grooves with section angle of 90°. When in
operation, the chamber is filled with liquid in the lower zone and gases or
vapors in the upper zone; the liquid level is distinguished by different
brightness of the glass in the liquid and in the gas/vapor zone.
Reflex Level Gauge
Application
The observation of liquid level.
Liquid/vapor interface
Limitations
 When the separation level between
two liquids has to be read
(interface)
 When, besides the level indication,
observation of the liquid color is
required
 When the process fluid is high
pressure water/steam
Magnetic Level Gauge
Working Principle
Archimede's principle according to which a body immersed in a liquid

receives a buoyancy equal to the weight of displaced liquid
The principle of attraction between North and South

poles of two permanent magnets and that of
repulsion between like poles
Application
 At high pressure, at low or high temperature
 At low pressure, at low or high temperature
 Chemically aggressive
 Pollutant to environment
 Poisonous to people health
 Inflammable or explosive
Magnetic Level Gauge on a Vertical
Vessel
Based on end connection of Level Gauges
LG Terminology
• VISIBLE GLASS
Sum of the lengths of un-obstructed glass available
for viewing
• VISIBLE LENGTH
The distance between the uppermost and
lowermost possible reading position.
• CC DISTANCE
Distance from nozzle center to nozzle center.
Components
• GAUGE BODY
• GLASS
• VALVES & FITTINGS
• GASKETS
• SCALE
• BACK LIGHT ILLUMINATOR
Material of Construction
a) GAUGE BODY & WETTED PIECES
Metallic material
Forged carbon steel
Forged stainless steel
Nonmetallic material
Polypropylene
PVC
PTFE etc.
Note: The material is to be selected based upon the Piping Material

Specifications.
b) GLASSES
• REFLEX GLASSES
• TRANSPARENT GLASSES
- Borosilicate glass
- Aluminosilicate glass
- Quartz
c) GASKETS
CUSHION & SEALING GASKETS
They are used to prevent direct contact between glass &

chamber and glass & cover and also provide seal.
Asbestos free material.
d) BACK LIGHT ILLUMINATOR
e) Valves
BLOCK/STOP VALVE
- TO ISOLATE GAUGE FROM VESSEL
DRAIN VALVE
- TO DRAIN TRAPPED LIQUID
VENT VALVE
- TO VENT VAPOR/AIR FROM GAUGE
SAFETY BALL CHECK VALVE

- TO PREVENT WASTAGE OF LIQUID
IN THE CASE OF GLASS BREAKAGE
f) SCALE
• Standard calibrated scale is in Stainless

steel
• Calibration in mm, cm or inches

Length Incorporation
• Recommended that Maximum length of one gauge limited to
1500mm.
• For longer level measurement ,

two or more gauge glasses need to
combine. For such cases,
overlapping of visible length is
required between adjacent glass.
Overlapping of adjacent length should be

at least 1’’ (25mm) for removal of blocked
spaces at edges.
For plural number of LGs, standpipe can be used.
Standard size and length of standpipe are size of

standpipe connection = 1-1/2’’ to 2’’
max. length of standpipe = 4 m

Installation
• LG should be installed so that full operating range can be observed.
• For lowest error when viewing liquid-liquid interface,
add central connection to vessel in the area of lighter liquid
phase in addition to top & bottom connection
• For multiple gauges , overlap their elevation
• An expansion loop can be provided that will cause to operate over a wide
range of temperature. This loop will absorb thermal expansion due to
different coefficient of expansion of gauge & vessel
Sample Data Sheets
Data Sheet for Sample Data

Level Gauges Sheet

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Presented by: Qassim M. Raj

Normally, fluids are used in many forms in highly commercial industries.

Also, in certain situations where the nature of fluid is dangerous or the

a) The type of vessel, fluid or material involved

Reference: “ API RP 551 Section 3, Clause 3.1 Scope”

 The observation of liquid/liquid interface

Archimede's principle according to which a body immersed in a liquid

The principle of attraction between North and South

Note: The material is to be selected based upon the Piping Material

CUSHION & SEALING GASKETS

They are used to prevent direct contact between glass &

SAFETY BALL CHECK VALVE

• Standard calibrated scale is in Stainless

• Calibration in mm, cm or inches

• For longer level measurement ,

Overlapping of adjacent length should be

Standard size and length of standpipe are size of

max. length of standpipe = 4 m

• For multiple gauges , overlap their elevation

Data Sheet for Sample Data

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