Tank Level Indicators
Tank level indicators are a type of level switch that is specifically utilized within tanks, which are large vessels used to hold gases, liquids, or free-flowing solids. Usually metallic, tanks can be a fairly broad category, including 30 gallon and 55 gallon drums, as well as most other types of large containers, such as hoppers or bins.
Quick links to Tank Level Indicators Information
Applications of Tank Level Indicators
Tank level indicators are used in such diverse industries as:
- Petroleum
- For level control of oil and gas in refineries.
- Industrial Manufacturing
- For measurement of the levels of various processing media.
- Chemical Processing
- For preventative level control of potentially hazardous materials.
- Marine
- In the measurement of marine vessel fluid levels.
- Residential
- For a variety of level indicating applications.
Tank level indicators can be used not only in above ground tanks, such as overhead tanks or grounded tanks, but they can also be used for level control in underground tanks as well. Due to the many capabilities of tank level indicators, additional industries that utilize them include defense contracting, commercial, private sector aircraft manufacturing, agriculture, and wastewater treatment.
Tank Level Indicator Design and Function
Tank level indicators function mainly to measure the levels of various materials based on the principle of differential pressure. This means that the level indicator is able to determine the level of the material due to the difference between the two pressures (the pressure at the bottom of the tank compared to the atmospheric pressure) being equal to the height of the material when it is multiplied by the specific gravity of the material. As a result, as long as the gravity of the material (or the density) remains the same, then the tank level indicator will be able to accurately measure the level of the material. When level measurement is based upon this principle, it is also commonly referred to as hydrostatic tank gauging (HTG).
Floating level indicators are often a popular form of tank level indicators, and continuous level floats are one of the most accurate ways of measurement control in tanks. The accuracy of level measurement using this type of device is approximately up to .02 in. and, as a result, is used in many applications requiring high precision in measurement.