Displacer Level Measurement With In-Situ Density Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Displacer level meters are sensitive to variations in liquid density due to changes in temperature, pressure, or composition, leading to inaccurate level measurements, which can cause safety issues in industries like oil and gas.
Innovation Solution
A liquid level measurement device that integrates a displacer with a load measurement device and a liquid density measurement sensor, using a differential pressure transmitter to determine liquid density in-situ, allowing for density-invariant level measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a displacer level meter is used to measure liquid level, then the measurement is simple and low cost, but the measurement accuracy deteriorates when liquid density varies
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously measures liquid density using a density sensor and feeds this information back to the processor. The processor then compensates for density variations in real-time by adjusting the level calculation based on the measured density, ensuring accurate level measurements regardless of density changes caused by temperature, pressure, or composition variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the measurement parameters from solely relying on buoyancy force to including both buoyancy force and liquid density measurements. By measuring density as an additional parameter and using it to correct the level calculation, the system maintains measurement accuracy across varying operating conditions while preserving the simplicity of the displacer mechanism.
2Device complexity
If traditional displacer level measurement is used, then the device structure is simple, but reliability deteriorates under varying temperature and pressure conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The density sensor provides continuous feedback on liquid density conditions, enabling the system to adapt to varying temperature and pressure environments. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable measurements across different operating conditions without significantly complicating the overall device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The density sensor acts as an intermediary that bridges the gap between the simple displacer mechanism and the varying operating conditions. By measuring density and providing correction data, it mediates the effect of temperature and pressure variations on measurement reliability while keeping the core displacer structure simple.
3Measurement precision
If density compensation is added to displacer level measurement, then measurement accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The density sensor serves as a compact intermediary component that enables density compensation without substantially increasing device complexity. Its small size and integration into the existing displacer assembly allow for accurate level measurements while maintaining relatively simple overall device architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The processor performs multiple functions: it processes the buoyancy force signal from the displacer, receives density data from the density sensor, and calculates compensated level measurements. This multi-functionality consolidates the complexity into a single processing unit rather than requiring separate dedicated components for each function.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device provides accurate liquid level measurements irrespective of density variations, enhancing safety and reliability in industrial processes.
Implementation Method 1
Traditional level meters determine the level of a fluid, such as a liquid in a vessel, by measuring the buoyancy force exerted by the liquid on a displacer
Implementation Method 2
utilizing differential pressure transmitter... a liquid density measurement sensor configured to measure a liquid density within the displacer cage
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, apparatus, and systems for determining a level of a liquid in a liquid-containing vessel are disclosed. The liquid-containing vessel may be fluidically connected to a displacer cage. The method may include obtaining, with a load measurement device, a weight force of a displacer suspended from the load measurement device and disposed within the displacer cage. The method may also include submerging the displacer into the liquid and obtaining, with the load measurement device, a net force acting on the displacer. The method may further include obtaining, with a liquid density measurement sensor disposed within the displacer cage, a liquid density at a first location of the liquid. The method may still further include determining, using, at least, the net force and the liquid density at the first location of the liquid, the level of the liquid in the vessel.