Over the last 25 years, there have been significant advancements in level measurement technology. Accuracy, repeatability, linearity, resolution, and reliability have all seen step-change advances as digital signal processing (DSP), power management, and microprocessor improvements have led to advancements in instrumentation with the end result of creating more value for end users on a cost per point basis. Those advances have enabled companies, plants and operators to consider new and unique ways to deploy instrumentation. One choice, which has seen more use, is the utilization of modular instrumentation bridles which allow for flexibility, adaptability and customization, in greenfield or brownfield situations. This article will address some of the benefits and challenges associated with bridle measurement.
A bridle is an externally mounted chamber (via process connections) with the ability to accommodate a variety of process connections allowing for a wide variety of instrumentation[PW1] , including. Bridles can be isolated from the main tank using valves which allows for maintenance (if allowed by the plant) without interrupting the process. Instrument bridles are commonly outfitted with level switches and/or continuous level transmitter technology including (but not limited to) Guided Wave Radar, Magnetostrictive and Displacers. This post will also address Magnetic Level Indicators (MLI), which are a popular form of externally mounted visual indication.
Interface Measurement in a Bridle
A tank filled with two different liquids is common in the process industries. Typically, a bridle will have two process connections, but in a liquid-liquid interface application, if the bridle is not operated under flooded conditions (liquid reaching the upper process connection), the upper liquid layer may become trapped on top of the lower layer with no way out. The fluid levels will balance based on density, but since the upper material would be lighter than water, the levels in the chamber and vessel will not be the same. This error will be proportional to the Specific Gravity (S.G.) difference between the two fluids. A common solution to this problem is to add a third (middle) process connection and a good rule of thumb is to ensure that each fluid is in contact with a process connection at all times.
Another liquid-liquid interface challenge that can arise is the presence of an emulsion layer. Particularly in applications with a short retention time in the vessel, the two liquids can mix together and form a rag or emulsion layer. Depending on the application and the medias, an emulsion layer can range in size from a few inches to several feet. The S.G. gradient that exists within this layer can challenge density-based measurement devices such as displacers and float-based MLIs. However, MLI floats can be designed so they sink through the upper liquid layer and float on the lower layer. Even in the presence of a large emulsion layer, the float would position itself within the layer and continuously provide indication of the float location. Do we want to clarify this by indicating minimum SG delta’s and also float length (floats can interfere with each other if there is not enough space between the floats to move freely)
Effects of Temperature on Level Measurement
When an MLI or bridle is connected to the side of a vessel, a temperature difference in the liquid can be expected. Depending on the media, the density can increase or decrease, which sometimes results in a slight measurement error. For example, hot water in a vessel would be slightly cooler in an offset or externally mounted bridle or MLI. The liquid level in the bridle would be marginally lower than in the vessel because its density has been increased due to the cooling. Ambient temperatures play a major role in determining the severity of this gradient. In the hot water example, the gradient would be much more pronounced in the winter season versus the summer. Anyone specifying an MLI or bridle-mounted instrumentation should be aware of this effect, as well as understand the expected temperature gradient for each installation.
When utilizing buoyancy-based technologies, the measurement in the MLI or bridle will be affected when the media density changes. With an MLI, the float is typically designed for one S.G. If the float design is based off of the S.G. of the liquid in the vessel, the float would experience a small offset when the liquid enters the MLI. This is particularly important on start-up. This is because the cooled liquid in the MLI now has a higher density than what the float was designed for and this higher density will cause the float to sit higher than normal in the liquid. Orion Instruments can provide accessories for its level instruments to help mitigate this temperature effect; these include insulation, heat tracing, or a float projection curve used to anticipate error due to S.G. variation.
In conclusion, it’s important to understand how properties such as temperature, density, and distance have an effect on level measurement in bridles. In most cases, the realized error is marginal; however, it is worth the effort to understand what potential changes you can expect in your process.