Pump Inlet Pressure Stabilizer for Accurate Tank Level Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Measurement of liquid levels in storage tanks is challenging due to pressure pulsations or spikes caused by pump systems, particularly when quick closing valves create rapid velocity changes and pressure spikes, making it difficult to accurately measure tank levels using pressure measurements.
Innovation Solution
A fluid system with a pump inlet pressure stabilizer that reduces pressure spikes by isolating the hydrostatic pressure from dynamic pressure, allowing a pressure sensor to directly measure the hydrostatic pressure and determine the tank level without additional automation or modifications to the storage tank, using a pressure-sensor fluid passageway with a first section extending axially and a second section at an angle relative to the first section, positioned near the center of the fluid flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pressure sensor is installed directly in the storage tank to measure tank level, then measurement reliability is improved, but pressure spikes from the pump system cause measurement accuracy to deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the pressure measurement function from the main pump inlet flow path by installing a separate pressure sensor in the storage tank. This segmentation allows the sensor to measure only the hydrostatic pressure of the liquid column without being affected by the dynamic pressure spikes generated by the pump's quick-closing inlet valve, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement reliability and accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If the pressure sensor is positioned near the center of the fluid flow, then direct hydrostatic pressure measurement is improved, but pressure spikes from pump strokes still affect measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure sensor is extracted from the main pump inlet flow path and repositioned to measure only the hydrostatic pressure in the storage tank. By taking the measurement point out of the high-dynamic-pressure zone near the pump inlet, the system achieves stable and accurate measurements of the liquid level without being contaminated by pump-induced pressure spikes.
3Measurement precision
If additional automation or tank modifications are implemented to eliminate pressure spike effects, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure sensor acts as an intermediary measurement device that indirectly measures the tank level by sensing the hydrostatic pressure in the storage tank rather than directly in the pump inlet line. This intermediary positioning eliminates the need for complex automation systems or tank modifications while maintaining high measurement accuracy, as the sensor naturally isolates the measurement from pump-induced pressure spikes.
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
Enables accurate measurement of tank levels by eliminating velocity components of pressure spikes, allowing for simple pressure sensor usage without additional automation or tank modifications, improving measurement reliability and reducing costs associated with tank modifications.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure sensor configured to measure a hydrostatic pressure in the storage reservoir to monitor a tank level of the fluid in the storage reservoir
Implementation Method 2
The pump inlet pressure stabilizer is configured to reduce a magnitude of pressure spikes from the pump experienced by the pressure sensor
Implementation Method 3
The inlet valves of the pump may be quick closing valves that cause rapid velocity changes and pressure spikes, often referred to as water hammer
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid system is disclosed which includes a storage tank formed to define a storage reservoir configured to store a supply of a fluid, a pump system having a pipe coupled to the storage tank and a pump in fluid communication with the storage reservoir of the tank through the pipe, a pressure sensor, and a pump inlet pressure stabilizer. Methods of using the fluid system are also provided herein.