INST240 Sec4

INST 240 (Pressure and Level Measurement), section 4
Lab
Level measurement loop: Questions 91 and 92, completed objectives due by the end of day 4
Exam
Day 5
Specific objectives for the mastery exam:
Electricity Review: Calculate voltages, currents, powers and/or resistances in a DC series-parallel circuit
Determine suitability of different level-measuring technologies for a given process fluid type
Calculate ranges for hydrostatic (DP) level-measuring instruments given physical dimensions and fluid
densities
Calculate buoyant force values for a displacer-type level-measuring instrument at different liquid levels
Solve for a specified variable in an algebraic formula
Determine the possibility of suggested faults in a Wheatstone bridge circuit given measured values
(voltage, current), a schematic diagram, and reported symptoms
INST231 Review: Determine status of PLC discrete output given discrete input states and a simple
RLL program listing
INST251 Review: Determine the effect of a component change on the gain of a pneumatic controller
mechanism
INST263 Review: Determine the effect of a component fault or condition change in a cascade-, ratio-,
or feedforward-controlled process
Recommended daily schedule

Day 1
Theory session topic: Ultrasonic, radar, and magnetostrictive level measurement
Questions 1 through 20; answer questions 1-9 in preparation for discussion (remainder for practice)
Day 2
Theory session topic: Weight, capacitance, radiation, and nonlinear level measurement
Day 3
Theory session topic: Discrete level measurement
Day 4
Theory session topic: Review for exam
Feedback questions (81 through 90) are optional and may be submitted for review at the end of the day
Day 5
Exam
1
How To . . .
Access the worksheets and textbook: go to the Socratic Instrumentation website located at
http://www.ibiblio.org/kuphaldt/socratic/sinst to find worksheets for every 2nd-year course section
organized by quarter, as well as both the latest stable and development versions of the Lessons In
Industrial Instrumentation textbook. Download and save these documents to your computer.
Maximize your learning: come to school prepared each and every day this means completing all your
homework before class starts. Use every minute of class and lab time productively. Follow all the tips
outlined in Question 0 (in every course worksheet) as well as your instructors advice. Dont ask anyone
to help you solve a problem until you have made every reasonable effort to solve it on your own.
Identify upcoming assignments and deadlines: read the first page of each course worksheet.
Relate course days to calendar dates: reference the calendar spreadsheet file (calendar.xlsx), found
on the BTC campus Y: network drive. A printed copy is posted in the Instrumentation classroom.
Locate industry documents assigned for reading: use the Instrumentation Reference provided by
your instructor (on CD-ROM and on the BTC campus Y: network drive). There you will find a file named
00 index OPEN THIS FILE.html readable with any internet browser. Click on the Quick-Start Links to
access assigned reading documents, organized per course, in the order they are assigned.
Study for the exams: Mastery exams assess specific skills critically important to your success, listed near
the top of the front page of each course worksheet for your review. Familiarize yourself with this list and pay
close attention when those topics appear in homework and practice problems. Proportional exams challenge
you to solve problems you havent seen before using general principles learned throughout the current and
previous courses, for which the only adequate preparation is daily and independent problem-solving practice.
Answer the feedback questions (practice exams) in each course section to hone your problem-solving skills,
as these are similar in scope and complexity to proportional exams. Answer these feedback independently
(i.e. no help from classmates) in order to most accurately assess your readiness.
Calculate course grades: download the Course Grading Spreadsheet (grades template.xlsx) from
the Socratic Instrumentation website, or from the BTC campus Y: network drive. Enter your quiz scores,
test scores, lab scores, and attendance data into this Excel spreadsheet and it will calculate your course
grade. You may compare your calculated grades against your instructors records at any time.
Identify courses to register for: read the Sequence page found in each worksheet.
Identify scholarship opportunities: check your BTC email in-box daily.
Identify job openings: regularly monitor job-search websites. Set up informational interviews at
workplaces you are interested in. Participate in jobshadows and internships. Apply to jobs long before
graduation, as some employers take months to respond! Check your BTC email account daily, because your
instructor broadcast-emails job postings to all students as employers submit them to BTC.
Impress employers: sign the FERPA release form granting your instructors permission to share academic
records, then make sure your performance is worth sharing. Master your project and problem-solving
experiences so you will be able to easily reference them during interviews. Honor all your commitments.
Begin your career: participate in jobshadows and internships while in school to gain experience and
references. Take the first Instrumentation job that pays the bills, and give that employer at least two years
of good work to pay them back for the investment they have made in you. Employers look at delayed
employment, as well as short employment spans, very negatively. Failure to pass a drug test is an immediate
disqualifier, as is falsifying any information. Criminal records can also be a problem.
file howto
2
General Student Expectations
Your future employer expects you to: Show up for work on time, prepared, every day; to work safely,
efficiently, conscientiously, and with a clear mind; to be self-directed and take initiative; to follow through
on all commitments; and to take responsibility for all your actions and for the consequences of those actions.
Instrument technicians work on highly complex, mission-critical measurement and control systems, where
incompetence and/or lack of integrity invites disaster. This is why employers check legal records and social
networking websites for signs of irresponsibility when considering a graduate for hire. This is also why
random drug testing is common in the industry because substance abuse impairs reasoning, and this is first
and foremost a thinking career.
Mastery: You are here to master the fundamentals of your chosen profession. Mastery assessments
challenge you to demonstrate 100% competence (with multiple opportunities to re-try). Failure to complete
any mastery objective(s) by the deadline caps your grade at a C-. Failure to complete by the end of the next
school day results in a failing (F) grade.
Punctuality and Attendance: You are expected to arrive on time and attend for the full duration of
every scheduled day just as you would for a job. If a session begins at 12:00 noon, 12:00:01 is late. Each
student has 12 hours of sick time per quarter applicable to absences not verifiably employment-related,
school-related, weather-related, or required by law. Each student must confer with the instructor to apply
these hours to any missed time this is not done automatically. Students may donate unused sick time to
whomever they specifically choose. You must contact your instructor and team members immediately if you
know you will be late or absent, and it is your responsibility to catch up on all missed activities. Absence
on an exam day will result in a zero score for that exam, unless due to a documented emergency.
Time Management: You are expected to budget and use your time productively, just as you will be on
the job. It is important for your learning that you remain on task during the entire school day and reserve
enough time outside of school to complete homework. Frivolous activities (e.g. games, social networking,
internet surfing) are unacceptable when there is work to be done. Trips to the cafeteria for food or coffee,
smoke breaks, etc. must not interfere with your work.
Independent Study: Industry advisors and successful graduates consistently identify self-directed learning
as a necessary skill for this career, more important even than trade-specific knowledge and skills. All
second-year Instrumentation courses follow an inverted model where lecture is replaced by independent
study outside of class, and class time is spent answering questions and demonstrating learning. Most students
require a minimum of 3 hours daily study time. Arriving unprepared (e.g. incomplete homework assignments)
is unprofessional and impedes your learning. Question 0 of every worksheet lists practical study tips.
Independent Problem-solving: Industry advisors and successful graduates consistently identify general
problem-solving as a necessary skill for this career, more important even than trade-specific knowledge and
skills. You are expected to take every reasonable measure to solve problems on your own before seeking
help. If you are perplexed by any assignment, that is okay, but you are expected to apply problem-solving
strategies modeled by your instructor and to precisely identify where you are confused so your instructor
will be able to give you targeted help. Asking classmates to solve the problem for you defeats the purpose of
your education. When troubleshooting systems in lab you are expected to use appropriate tools to perform
diagnostic tests (e.g. dont just visually inspect for faults), as well as consult the equipment manual(s)
before seeking help. If you identify failed equipment, you are expected to label that equipment with a
detailed description of its symptoms so the next person can proceed to fix it more efficiently. Question 0 of
every worksheet lists practical problem-solving tips.
Initiative: No single habit predicts your success or failure in this career better than personal initiative,
which is why you will be expected to cultivate initiative throughout these courses. Simply put, you will be
expected to do for yourself rather than rely on others to do for you. Examples include reading equipment
manuals, checking the course calendar, inspecting project work, fixing mistakes, etc.
3
General Student Expectations (continued)
Safety: You are expected to work safely in the lab just as you will be on the job. This includes wearing
proper attire (safety glasses and closed-toed shoes in the lab at all times), implementing lock-out/tag-out
procedures when working on circuits with exposed conductors over 30 volts, using ladders to reach high
places rather than standing on tables or chairs, and correctly using all tools.
Cleanliness: You are expected to keep your work area clean and orderly just as you will be on the job. This
includes discarding all food and drink containers every day, putting tools and parts back where they belong
after you are finished with them, and participating in all scheduled lab clean-up sessions.
Teamwork: You will work in instructor-assigned teams to complete lab assignments, just as you will work
in teams to complete complex assignments on the job. As part of a team, you must keep your teammates
informed of your whereabouts in the event you must step away from the lab or cannot attend for any reason.
Any student regularly compromising team performance through lack of participation, absence, tardiness,
disrespect, unsafe work, or other disruptive behavior(s) will be given the choice of either completing all
labwork independently for the remainder of the quarter or receiving a failing grade for the course.
Cooperation: The structure of these courses naturally lends itself to cooperation between students. Working
together, students significantly impact each others learning. You are expected to take this role seriously,
offering real help when needed and not absolving classmates of their responsibility to do the hard work
themselves. Solving problems for classmates and/or explaining to them what they can easily read on their
own is unacceptable because these actions circumvent learning. The best form of help you can give to
your struggling classmates is to share with them your tips on independent learning and problem-solving, for
example asking questions leading to solutions rather than simply providing solutions.
Academic Engagement: Instrumentation is a challenging career requiring creative and critical thinking.
As industry advisors have said, Being an instrument technician is as close as you get to doing engineering
without a four-year (Bachelors) degree. The only way to prepare for the challenges of being an instrument
technician is to exercise that same level of creative and critical thinking before stepping into the career,
mastering first principles of science and general problem-solving strategies rather than focusing on simpler
tasks such as memorization and procedures. This also means personally involving yourself in every learning
exercise, not being content to merely observe others. Individual (unassisted) performance is the gold standard
for learning: unless and until you can consistently perform on your own, you havent learned!
Grades: Grades are to learning as a fuel gauge in a vehicle is to the actual amount of fuel stored in the tank.
Like a fuel gauge, a grade is an imperfect representation of reality. Far too many students worry about the
gauges reading when they should be worried about how much fuel is in the tank! As an Instrumentation
student you will be expected to prioritize learning over grades, because only learning will fuel your career.
This, for example, is why extra-credit assignments are customized to each students needs based on their
weakest areas rather than arbitrarily assigned to boost a students grade.
Representation: You are an ambassador for this program. Your actions, whether on tours, during a
jobshadow or internship, or while employed, can open or shut doors of opportunity for other students. Most
of the opportunities open to you as a BTC graduate were earned by the good work of previous graduates,
and as such you owe them a debt of gratitude. Future graduates depend on you to do the same.
Responsibility For Actions: If you lose or damage college property (e.g. lab equipment), you must find,
repair, or help replace it. If your represent BTC poorly to employers (e.g. during a tour or an internship),
you must make amends. The general rule here is this: If you break it, you fix it!
file expectations
4
Course Syllabus
INSTRUCTOR CONTACT INFORMATION:

Tony Kuphaldt
(360)-752-8477 [office phone]
(360)-752-7277 [fax]
tony.kuphaldt@btc.ctc.edu
DEPT/COURSE #: INST 240
CREDITS: 6 Lecture Hours: 26 Lab Hours: 82 Work-based Hours: 0
COURSE TITLE: Pressure and Level Measurement
COURSE DESCRIPTION: In this course you will learn how to precisely measure both fluid pressure
and fluid/solids level in a variety of applications, as well as accurately calibrate and efficiently troubleshoot
pressure and level measurement systems. Pre/Corequisite course: INST 200 (Introduction to
Instrumentation) Prerequisite course: MATH&141 (Precalculus 1) with a minimum grade of C
COURSE OUTCOMES: Commission, analyze, and efficiently diagnose instrumented systems measuring
fluid pressure and liquid level.
COURSE OUTCOME ASSESSMENT: Pressure and level system commissioning, analysis, and
diagnosis outcomes are ensured by measuring student performance against mastery standards, as documented
in the Student Performance Objectives. Failure to meet all mastery standards by the next scheduled exam
day will result in a failing grade for the course.
5
STUDENT PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES:
Without references or notes, within a limited time (3 hours total for each exam session), independently
perform the following tasks. Multiple re-tries are allowed on mastery (100% accuracy) objectives, each
with a different set of problems:
Calculate voltages and currents in a DC series-parallel resistor circuit given source and resistor values,
with 100% accuracy (mastery)
Calculate voltages, currents, powers, and/or resistances in a DC series-parallel circuit, with 100%
accuracy (mastery)
Convert between different pressure units (PSI, W.C., bar. etc.) showing proper mathematical
cancellation of units with 100% accuracy (mastery)
Determine suitability of different level-measuring technologies for a given process fluid type, with
100% accuracy (mastery)
Calculate pressure applied to a DP instrument given a pictorial diagram, with 100% accuracy
(mastery)
Calculate ranges for hydrostatic (DP) level-measuring instruments given physical dimensions and
fluid densities, with 100% accuracy (mastery)
Calculate buoyant force values for a displacer-type level-measuring instrument at different liquid
levels, with 100% accuracy (mastery)
Calculate instrument input and output values given calibrated ranges, with 100% accuracy (mastery)
Solve for specified variables in algebraic formulae, with 100% accuracy (mastery)
Determine the possibility of suggested faults in series-parallel circuits and Wheatstone bridge circuits
given measured values (voltage, current), schematic diagrams, and reported symptoms, with 100%
accuracy (mastery)
Predict the response of automatic pressure and level control systems to component faults and changes
in process conditions, given pictorial and/or schematic illustrations
Sketch proper power and signal connections between individual instruments to fulfill specified control
system functions, given pictorial and/or schematic illustrations of those instruments
In a team environment and with full access to references, notes, and instructor assistance, perform the
following tasks:
Demonstrate proper use of safety equipment and application of safe procedures while using power
tools, and working on live systems
Communicate effectively with teammates to plan work, arrange for absences, and share responsibilities
in completing all labwork
Construct and commission a working pressure-measurement loop consisting of an electronic
pressure transmitter, signal wiring, and indicator
Construct and commission a working level-measurement loop consisting of a pneumatic level
transmitter, signal tubing, and indicator
Generate accurate loop diagrams compliant with ISA standards documenting your teams systems
Independently perform the following tasks with 100% accuracy (mastery). Multiple re-tries are allowed
with different specifications/conditions each time:
Connect an electromechanical interposing relay to energize a 120 VAC load using a DC control circuit,
given components and criteria randomly selected by the instructor
Build a circuit and configure a HART-compatible DP transmitter to measure an applied pressure or
vacuum according to criteria randomly selected by the instructor
Calibrate an electronic pressure transmitter to specified accuracy using industry-standard calibration
equipment
Demonstrate the proper usage of a deadweight tester for generating precise pressures
Calibrate a pneumatic level transmitter to specified accuracy using industry-standard calibration
equipment
Demonstrate the proper usage of a manometer for measuring gas pressure
Diagnose a random fault placed in another teams pressure measurement system by the instructor
within a limited time using no test equipment except a multimeter, logically justifying your steps in the
6
instructors direct presence
Diagnose a random fault placed in another teams level measurement system by the instructor within
a limited time using no test equipment except a pressure gauge, logically justifying your steps in the
instructors direct presence
COURSE OUTLINE: A course calendar in electronic format (Excel spreadsheet) resides on the Y:
network drive, and also in printed paper format in classroom DMC130, for convenient student access. This
calendar is updated to reflect schedule changes resulting from employer recruiting visits, interviews, and
other impromptu events. Course worksheets provide comprehensive lists of all course assignments and
activities, with the first page outlining the schedule and sequencing of topics and assignment due dates.
These worksheets are available in PDF format at http://www.ibiblio.org/kuphaldt/socratic/sinst
INST240 Section 1 (Pressure and pressure instruments): 4 days theory and labwork
INST240 Section 2 (Pneumatic instrumentation): 4 days theory and labwork + 1 day for
mastery/proportional Exams
INST240 Section 3 (Hydrostatic, displacer, and interface level measurement): 4 days theory and labwork
INST240 Section 4 (Other level measurement technologies): 4 days theory and labwork + 1 day for
mastery/proportional Exams
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION: Course structure and methods are intentionally designed to develop
critical-thinking and life-long learning abilities, continually placing the student in an active rather than a
passive role.
Independent study: daily worksheet questions specify reading assignments, problems to solve, and
experiments to perform in preparation (before) classroom theory sessions. Open-note quizzes and work
inspections ensure accountability for this essential preparatory work. The purpose of this is to convey
information and basic concepts, so valuable class time isnt wasted transmitting bare facts, and also to
foster the independent research ability necessary for self-directed learning in your career.
Classroom sessions: a combination of Socratic discussion, short lectures, small-group problem-solving,
and hands-on demonstrations/experiments review and illuminate concepts covered in the preparatory
questions. The purpose of this is to develop problem-solving skills, strengthen conceptual understanding,
and practice both quantitative and qualitative analysis techniques.
Lab activities: an emphasis on constructing and documenting working projects (real instrumentation
and control systems) to illuminate theoretical knowledge with practical contexts. Special projects
off-campus or in different areas of campus (e.g. BTCs Fish Hatchery) are encouraged. Hands-on
troubleshooting exercises build diagnostic skills.
Feedback questions: sets of practice problems at the end of each course section challenge your
knowledge and problem-solving ability in current as as well as first year (Electronics) subjects. These
are optional assignments, counting neither for nor against your grade. Their purpose is to provide you
and your instructor with direct feedback on what you have learned.
Tours and guest speakers: quarterly tours of local industry and guest speakers on technical topics
add breadth and additional context to the learning experience.
STUDENT ASSIGNMENTS/REQUIREMENTS: All assignments for this course are thoroughly

documented in the following course worksheets located at:
http://www.ibiblio.org/kuphaldt/socratic/sinst/index.html
INST240 sec1.pdf
INST240 sec2.pdf
INST240 sec3.pdf
INST240 sec4.pdf
7
EVALUATION AND GRADING STANDARDS: (out of 100% for the course grade)
Mastery exams and mastery lab objectives = 50% of course grade
Proportional exams = 40% (2 exams at 20% each)
Lab questions = 10% (2 question sets at 5% each)
Quiz penalty = -1% per failed quiz
Tardiness penalty = -1% per incident (1 free tardy per course)
Attendance penalty = -1% per hour (12 hours sick time per quarter)
Extra credit = +5% per project
All grades are criterion-referenced (i.e. no grading on a curve)

100% A 95% 95% > A- 90%
90% > B+ 86% 86% > B 83% 83% > B- 80%
80% > C+ 76% 76% > C 73% 73% > C- 70% (minimum passing course grade)
70% > D+ 66% 66% > D 63% 63% > D- 60% 60% > F
A graded preparatory quiz at the start of each classroom session gauges your independent learning
prior to the session. A graded summary quiz at the conclusion of each classroom session gauges your
comprehension of important concepts covered during that session. If absent during part or all of a classroom
session, you may receive credit by passing comparable quizzes afterward or by having your preparatory work
(reading outlines, work done answering questions) thoroughly reviewed prior to the absence.
Absence on a scheduled exam day will result in a 0% score for the proportional exam unless you provide
documented evidence of an unavoidable emergency.
If you fail a mastery exam, you must re-take a different version of that mastery exam on a different
day. Multiple re-tries are allowed, on a different version of the exam each re-try. There is no penalty levied
on your course grade for re-taking mastery exams, but failure to successfully pass a mastery exam by the
due date (i.e. by the date of the next exam in the course sequence) will result in a failing grade (F) for the
course.
If any other mastery objectives are not completed by their specified deadlines, your overall grade
for the course will be capped at 70% (C- grade), and you will have one more school day to complete the
unfinished objectives. Failure to complete those mastery objectives by the end of that extra day (except in
the case of documented, unavoidable emergencies) will result in a failing grade (F) for the course.
Lab questions are assessed by individual questioning, at any date after the respective lab objective
(mastery) has been completed by your team. These questions serve to guide your completion of each lab
exercise and confirm participation of each individual student. Grading is as follows: full credit for thorough,
correct answers; half credit for partially correct answers; and zero credit for major conceptual errors. All
lab questions must be answered by the due date of the lab exercise.
Extra credit opportunities exist for each course, and may be assigned to students upon request. The
student and the instructor will first review the students performance on feedback questions, homework,
exams, and any other relevant indicators in order to identify areas of conceptual or practical weakness. Then,
both will work together to select an appropriate extra credit activity focusing on those identified weaknesses,
for the purpose of strengthening the students competence. A due date will be assigned (typically two weeks
following the request), which must be honored in order for any credit to be earned from the activity. Extra
credit may be denied at the instructors discretion if the student has not invested the necessary preparatory
effort to perform well (e.g. lack of preparation for daily class sessions, poor attendance, no feedback questions
submitted, etc.).
8
REQUIRED STUDENT SUPPLIES AND MATERIALS:
Course worksheets available for download in PDF format
Lessons in Industrial Instrumentation textbook, available for download in PDF format
Access worksheets and book at: http://www.ibiblio.org/kuphaldt/socratic/sinst
Spiral-bound notebook for reading annotation, homework documentation, and note-taking.
Instrumentation reference CD-ROM (free, from instructor). This disk contains many tutorials and
datasheets in PDF format to supplement your textbook(s).
Tool kit (see detailed list)
Simple scientific calculator (non-programmable, non-graphing, no unit conversions, no numeration
system conversions), TI-30Xa or TI-30XIIS recommended
ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES:

The BTC Library hosts a substantial collection of textbooks and references on the subject of
Instrumentation, as well as links in its online catalog to free Instrumentation e-book resources available
on the Internet.
BTCInstrumentation channel on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/BTCInstrumentation), hosts
a variety of short video tutorials and demonstrations on instrumentation.
ISA Student Section at BTC meets regularly to set up industry tours, raise funds for scholarships,
and serve as a general resource for Instrumentation students. Membership in the ISA is $10 per year,
payable to the national ISA organization. Membership includes a complementary subscription to InTech
magazine.
ISA website (http://www.isa.org) provides all of its standards in electronic format, many of which
are freely available to ISA members.
Instrument Engineers Handbook, Volume 1: Process Measurement and Analysis, edited by Bela Liptak,
published by CRC Press. 4th edition ISBN-10: 0849310830 ; ISBN-13: 978-0849310836.
Purdys Instrument Handbook, by Ralph Dewey. ISBN-10: 1-880215-26-8. A pocket-sized field reference
on basic measurement and control.
Cad Standard (CadStd) or similar AutoCAD-like drafting software (useful for sketching loop and
wiring diagrams). Cad Standard is a simplified clone of AutoCAD, and is freely available at:
http://www.cadstd.com
To receive classroom accommodations, please contact our Accessibility Resources office. Call 360-752-
8345, email ar@btc.ctc.edu, or stop by the AR office in the Admissions and Student Resource Center
(ASRC) located in room 106 of the College Services building.
file INST240syllabus
9
Sequence of second-year Instrumentation courses
Core Electronics -- 3 qtrs

including MATH 141 (Precalculus 1)
(Only if 4th quarter was Summer: INST23x)
INST 200 -- 1 wk Offered 1st week of

Prerequisite for all INST24x,
Fall, Winter, and
INST25x, and INST26x courses Intro. to Instrumentation Spring quarters
Summer quarter Fall quarter Winter quarter Spring quarter
INST 230 -- 3 cr INST 240 -- 6 cr INST 250 -- 5 cr INST 260 -- 4 cr

Motor Controls Pressure/Level Measurement Final Control Elements Data Acquisition Systems

PLC Programming Temp./Flow Measurement PID Control DCS and Fieldbus

PLC Systems Analytical Measurement Loop Tuning Control Strategies
INST 233 -- 3 cr CHEM&161 -- 5 cr ENGT 134 -- 5 cr

Protective Relays (elective) Chemistry CAD 1: Basics
Prerequisite for INST206
INST 205 -- 1 cr
All courses
Job Prep I
Offered 1st week of
completed?
No Fall, Winter, and
Yes INST 206 -- 1 cr
Spring quarters
Job Prep II
Graduate!!!
10
The particular sequence of courses you take during the second year depends on when you complete all
first-year courses and enter the second year. Since students enter the second year of Instrumentation at four
different times (beginnings of Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters), the particular course sequence
for any student will likely be different from the course sequence of classmates.
Some second-year courses are only offered in particular quarters with those quarters not having to be
in sequence, while others are offered three out of the four quarters and must be taken in sequence. The
following layout shows four typical course sequences for second-year Instrumentation students, depending on
when they first enter the second year of the program:
Possible course schedules depending on date of entry into 2nd year

Beginning in Summer Beginning in Fall Beginning in Winter Beginning in Spring
July Summer quarter Sept. Fall quarter Jan. Winter quarter April Spring quarter
INST 230 -- 3 cr INST 200 -- 1 wk INST 200 -- 1 wk INST 200 -- 1 wk
Motor Controls Intro. to Instrumentation Intro. to Instrumentation Intro. to Instrumentation

PLC Programming Pressure/Level Measurement Final Control Elements Data Acquisition Systems

PLC Systems Temp./Flow Measurement PID Control DCS and Fieldbus

Protective Relays (elective) Analytical Measurement Loop Tuning Control Strategies
Aug. Dec.
CHEM&161 -- 5 cr ENGT 134 -- 5 cr
Sept. Fall quarter Jan. Winter quarter Chemistry CAD 1: Basics
Mar. June
INST 200 -- 1 wk INST 205 -- 1 cr
Intro. to Instrumentation Job Prep I April Spring quarter July Summer quarter
Pressure/Level Measurement Final Control Elements Job Prep I Motor Controls

Temp./Flow Measurement PID Control Data Acquisition Systems PLC Programming

Analytical Measurement Loop Tuning DCS and Fieldbus PLC Systems
Dec.
CHEM&161 -- 5 cr INST 263 -- 5 cr INST 233 -- 3 cr
Jan. Winter quarter Chemistry Control Strategies Protective Relays (elective)
Mar. Aug.
INST 205 -- 1 cr
Job Prep I ENGT 134 -- 5 cr
April Spring quarter CAD 1: Basics Sept. Fall quarter
June
INST 250 -- 5 cr INST 206 -- 1 cr INST 205 -- 1 cr
Final Control Elements Job Prep II July Summer quarter Job Prep I

PID Control Data Acquisition Systems Motor Controls Pressure/Level Measurement

Loop Tuning DCS and Fieldbus PLC Programming Temp./Flow Measurement
CHEM&161 -- 5 cr INST 263 -- 5 cr INST 232 -- 3 cr INST 242 -- 5 cr

Chemistry Control Strategies PLC Systems Analytical Measurement
Mar. Dec.
ENGT 134 -- 5 cr INST 233 -- 3 cr
April Spring quarter CAD 1: Basics Protective Relays (elective) Jan. Winter quarter
June Aug.
INST 206 -- 1 cr INST 206 -- 1 cr
Job Prep II July Summer quarter Sept. Fall quarter Job Prep II
Data Acquisition Systems Motor Controls Job Prep II Final Control Elements

DCS and Fieldbus PLC Programming Pressure/Level Measurement PID Control

Control Strategies PLC Systems Temp./Flow Measurement Loop Tuning
ENGT 134 -- 5 cr INST 233 -- 3 cr INST 242 -- 5 cr CHEM&161 -- 5 cr

CAD 1: Basics Protective Relays (elective) Analytical Measurement Chemistry
June Aug. Dec. Mar.
Graduation! Graduation! Graduation! Graduation!
file sequence
11
General tool and supply list
Wrenches
Combination (box- and open-end) wrench set, 1/4 to 3/4 the most important wrench sizes are 7/16,
1/2, 9/16, and 5/8; get these immediately!
Adjustable wrench, 6 handle (sometimes called Crescent wrench)
Hex wrench (Allen wrench) set, fractional 1/16 to 3/8
Optional: Hex wrench (Allen wrench) set, metric 1.5 mm to 10 mm
Optional: Miniature combination wrench set, 3/32 to 1/4 (sometimes called an ignition wrench set)
Note: when turning any threaded fastener, one should choose a tool engaging the maximum amount of
surface area on the fasteners head in order to reduce stress on that fastener. (e.g. Using box-end wrenches
instead of adjustable wrenches; using the proper size and type of screwdriver; never using any tool that mars
the fastener such as pliers or vise-grips unless absolutely necessary.)
Pliers
Needle-nose pliers
Tongue-and-groove pliers (sometimes called Channel-lock pliers)
Diagonal wire cutters (sometimes called dikes)
Screwdrivers
Slotted, 1/8 and 1/4 shaft
Phillips, #1 and #2
Jewelers screwdriver set
Optional: Magnetic multi-bit screwdriver (e.g. Klein Tools model 70035)
Electrical
Multimeter, Fluke model 87-IV or better
Alligator-clip jumper wires
Soldering iron (10 to 40 watt) and rosin-core solder
Resistor, potentiometer, diode assortments (from first-year lab kits)
Package of insulated compression-style fork terminals (14 to 18 AWG wire size, #10 stud size)
Wire strippers/terminal crimpers for 10 AWG to 18 AWG wire and insulated terminals
Optional: ratcheting terminal crimp tool (e.g. Paladin 1305, Ferrules Direct FDT10011, or equivalent)
Safety
Safety glasses or goggles (available at BTC bookstore)
Earplugs (available at BTC bookstore)
Miscellaneous
Simple scientific calculator (non-programmable, non-graphing, no conversions), TI-30Xa or TI-30XIIS
recommended. Required for some exams!
Teflon pipe tape
Utility knife
Permanent marker pen
Tape measure, 12 feet minimum
Flashlight
An inexpensive source of tools is your local pawn shop. Look for tools with unlimited lifetime guarantees
(e.g. Sears Craftsman brand). Check for BTC student discounts as well!
file tools
12
Methods of instruction
This course develops self-instructional and diagnostic skills by placing students in situations where they
are required to research and think independently. In all portions of the curriculum, the goal is to avoid a
passive learning environment, favoring instead active engagement of the learner through reading, reflection,
problem-solving, and experimental activities. The curriculum may be roughly divided into two portions:
theory and practical.
Theory
In the theory portion of each course, students independently research subjects prior to entering the
classroom for discussion. This means working through all the days assigned questions as completely as
possible. This usually requires a fair amount of technical reading, and may also require setting up and
running simple experiments. At the start of the classroom session, the instructor will check each students
preparation with a quiz. Students then spend the rest of the classroom time working in groups and directly
with the instructor to thoroughly answer all questions assigned for that day, articulate problem-solving
strategies, and to approach the questions from multiple perspectives. To put it simply: fact-gathering
happens outside of class and is the individual responsibility of each student, so that class time may be
devoted to the more complex tasks of critical thinking and problem solving where the instructors attention
is best applied.
Classroom theory sessions usually begin with either a brief Q&A discussion or with a Virtual
Troubleshooting session where the instructor shows one of the days diagnostic question diagrams while
students propose diagnostic tests and the instructor tells those students what the test results would be
given some imagined (virtual) fault scenario, writing the test results on the board where all can see. The
students then attempt to identify the nature and location of the fault, based on the test results.
Each student is free to leave the classroom when they have completely worked through all problems and
have answered a summary quiz designed to gauge their learning during the theory session. If a student
finishes ahead of time, they are free to leave, or may help tutor classmates who need extra help.
The express goal of this inverted classroom teaching methodology is to help each student cultivate
critical-thinking and problem-solving skills, and to sharpen their abilities as independent learners. While
this approach may be very new to you, it is more realistic and beneficial to the type of work done in
instrumentation, where critical thinking, problem-solving, and independent learning are must-have skills.
13
Lab
In the lab portion of each course, students work in teams to install, configure, document, calibrate, and
troubleshoot working instrument loop systems. Each lab exercise focuses on a different type of instrument,
with a eight-day period typically allotted for completion. An ordinary lab session might look like this:
(1) Start of practical (lab) session: announcements and planning
(a) The instructor makes general announcements to all students
(b) The instructor works with team to plan that days goals, making sure each team member has a
clear idea of what they should accomplish
(2) Teams work on lab unit completion according to recommended schedule:
(First day) Select and bench-test instrument(s)
(One day) Connect instrument(s) into a complete loop
(One day) Each team member drafts their own loop documentation, inspection done as a team (with
instructor)
(One or two days) Each team member calibrates/configures the instrument(s)
(Remaining days, up to last) Each team member troubleshoots the instrument loop
(3) End of practical (lab) session: debriefing where each team reports on their work to the whole class
Troubleshooting assessments must meet the following guidelines:

Troubleshooting must be performed on a system the student did not build themselves. This forces
students to rely on another teams documentation rather than their own memory of how the system was
built.
Each student must individually demonstrate proper troubleshooting technique.
Simply finding the fault is not good enough. Each student must consistently demonstrate sound
reasoning while troubleshooting.
If a student fails to properly diagnose the system fault, they must attempt (as many times as necessary)
with different scenarios until they do, reviewing any mistakes with the instructor after each failed
attempt.
file instructional
14
Distance delivery methods
Sometimes the demands of life prevent students from attending college 6 hours per day. In such cases,
there exist alternatives to the normal 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM class/lab schedule, allowing students to complete
coursework in non-traditional ways, at a distance from the college campus proper.
For such distance students, the same worksheets, lab activities, exams, and academic standards still
apply. Instead of working in small groups and in teams to complete theory and lab sections, though, students
participating in an alternative fashion must do all the work themselves. Participation via teleconferencing,
video- or audio-recorded small-group sessions, and such is encouraged and supported.
There is no recording of hours attended or tardiness for students participating in this manner. The pace
of the course is likewise determined by the distance student. Experience has shown that it is a benefit for
distance students to maintain the same pace as their on-campus classmates whenever possible.
In lieu of small-group activities and class discussions, comprehension of the theory portion of each course
will be ensured by completing and submitting detailed answers for all worksheet questions, not just passing
daily quizzes as is the standard for conventional students. The instructor will discuss any incomplete and/or
incorrect worksheet answers with the student, and ask that those questions be re-answered by the student
to correct any misunderstandings before moving on.
Labwork is perhaps the most difficult portion of the curriculum for a distance student to complete,
since the equipment used in Instrumentation is typically too large and expensive to leave the school lab
facility. Distance students must find a way to complete the required lab activities, either by arranging
time in the school lab facility and/or completing activities on equivalent equipment outside of school (e.g.
at their place of employment, if applicable). Labwork completed outside of school must be validated by a
supervisor and/or documented via photograph or videorecording.
Conventional students may opt to switch to distance mode at any time. This has proven to be a
benefit to students whose lives are disrupted by catastrophic events. Likewise, distance students may
switch back to conventional mode if and when their schedules permit. Although the existence of alternative
modes of student participation is a great benefit for students with challenging schedules, it requires a greater
investment of time and a greater level of self-discipline than the traditional mode where the student attends
school for 6 hours every day. No student should consider the distance mode of learning a way to have
more free time to themselves, because they will actually spend more time engaged in the coursework than
if they attend school on a regular schedule. It exists merely for the sake of those who cannot attend during
regular school hours, as an alternative to course withdrawal.
file distance
15
Metric prefixes and conversion constants
Metric prefixes
Yotta = 1024 Symbol: Y
Zeta = 1021 Symbol: Z
Exa = 1018 Symbol: E
Peta = 1015 Symbol: P
Tera = 1012 Symbol: T
Giga = 109 Symbol: G
Mega = 106 Symbol: M
Kilo = 103 Symbol: k
Hecto = 102 Symbol: h
Deca = 101 Symbol: da
Deci = 101 Symbol: d
Centi = 102 Symbol: c
Milli = 103 Symbol: m
Micro = 106 Symbol:
Nano = 109 Symbol: n
Pico = 1012 Symbol: p
Femto = 1015 Symbol: f
Atto = 1018 Symbol: a
Zepto = 1021 Symbol: z
Yocto = 1024 Symbol: y
METRIC PREFIX SCALE

T G M k m n p
tera giga mega kilo (none) milli micro nano pico
1012 109 106 103 100 10-3 10-6 10-9 10-12
102 101 10-1 10-2

hecto deca deci centi
h da d c
Conversion formulae for temperature

o
F = (o C)(9/5) + 32
o
C = (o F - 32)(5/9)
o
R = o F + 459.67
K = o C + 273.15
Conversion equivalencies for distance

1 inch (in) = 2.540000 centimeter (cm)
1 foot (ft) = 12 inches (in)
1 yard (yd) = 3 feet (ft)
1 mile (mi) = 5280 feet (ft)
16
Conversion equivalencies for volume
1 gallon (gal) = 231.0 cubic inches (in3 ) = 4 quarts (qt) = 8 pints (pt) = 128 fluid ounces (fl. oz.)
= 3.7854 liters (l)
1 milliliter (ml) = 1 cubic centimeter (cm3 )
Conversion equivalencies for velocity

1 mile per hour (mi/h) = 88 feet per minute (ft/m) = 1.46667 feet per second (ft/s) = 1.60934
kilometer per hour (km/h) = 0.44704 meter per second (m/s) = 0.868976 knot (knot international)
Conversion equivalencies for mass

1 pound (lbm) = 0.45359 kilogram (kg) = 0.031081 slugs
Conversion equivalencies for force

1 pound-force (lbf) = 4.44822 newton (N)
Conversion equivalencies for area

1 acre = 43560 square feet (ft2 ) = 4840 square yards (yd2 ) = 4046.86 square meters (m2 )
Conversion equivalencies for common pressure units (either all gauge or all absolute)
1 pound per square inch (PSI) = 2.03602 inches of mercury (in. Hg) = 27.6799 inches of water (in.
W.C.) = 6.894757 kilo-pascals (kPa) = 0.06894757 bar
1 bar = 100 kilo-pascals (kPa) = 14.504 pounds per square inch (PSI)
Conversion equivalencies for absolute pressure units (only)

1 atmosphere (Atm) = 14.7 pounds per square inch absolute (PSIA) = 101.325 kilo-pascals absolute
(kPaA) = 1.01325 bar (bar) = 760 millimeters of mercury absolute (mmHgA) = 760 torr (torr)
Conversion equivalencies for energy or work

1 british thermal unit (Btu International Table) = 251.996 calories (cal International Table)
= 1055.06 joules (J) = 1055.06 watt-seconds (W-s) = 0.293071 watt-hour (W-hr) = 1.05506 x 1010
ergs (erg) = 778.169 foot-pound-force (ft-lbf)
Conversion equivalencies for power

1 horsepower (hp 550 ft-lbf/s) = 745.7 watts (W) = 2544.43 british thermal units per hour
(Btu/hr) = 0.0760181 boiler horsepower (hp boiler)
Acceleration of gravity (free fall), Earth standard

9.806650 meters per second per second (m/s2 ) = 32.1740 feet per second per second (ft/s2 )
17
Physical constants
Speed of light in a vacuum (c) = 2.9979 108 meters per second (m/s) = 186,281 miles per second
(mi/s)
Avogadros number (NA ) = 6.022 1023 per mole (mol1 )
Electronic charge (e) = 1.602 1019 Coulomb (C)
Boltzmanns constant (k) = 1.38 1023 Joules per Kelvin (J/K)
Stefan-Boltzmann constant () = 5.67 108 Watts per square meter-Kelvin4 (W/m2 K4 )
Molar gas constant (R) = 8.314 Joules per mole-Kelvin (J/mol-K)
Properties of Water
Freezing point at sea level = 32o F = 0o C
Boiling point at sea level = 212o F = 100o C
Density of water at 4o C = 1000 kg/m3 = 1 g/cm3 = 1 kg/liter = 62.428 lb/ft3 = 1.94 slugs/ft3
Specific heat of water at 14o C = 1.00002 calories/go C = 1 BTU/lbo F = 4.1869 Joules/go C
Specific heat of ice 0.5 calories/go C
Specific heat of steam 0.48 calories/go C
Absolute viscosity of water at 20o C = 1.0019 centipoise (cp) = 0.0010019 Pascal-seconds (Pas)
Surface tension of water (in contact with air) at 18o C = 73.05 dynes/cm
pH of pure water at 25o C = 7.0 (pH scale = 0 to 14)
Properties of Dry Air at sea level

Density of dry air at 20o C and 760 torr = 1.204 mg/cm3 = 1.204 kg/m3 = 0.075 lb/ft3 = 0.00235
slugs/ft3
Absolute viscosity of dry air at 20o C and 760 torr = 0.018 centipoise (cp) = 1.8 105 Pascal-
seconds (Pas)
file conversion constants
18
Question 0
How to get the most out of academic reading:

Articulate your thoughts as you read (i.e. have a conversation with the author). This will develop
metacognition: active supervision of your own thoughts. Write your thoughts as you read, noting
points of agreement, disagreement, confusion, epiphanies, and connections between different concepts
or applications. These notes should also document important math formulae, explaining in your own
words what each formula means and the proper units of measurement used.
Outline, dont highlight! Writing your own summary or outline is a far more effective way to comprehend
a text than simply underlining and highlighting key words. A suggested ratio is writing one sentence of
your own thoughts per paragraph of text read. Note points of disagreement or confusion, so that you
may explore these later.
Work through all mathematical exercises shown within the text, to ensure you understand all the steps.
Imagine explaining concepts youve just learned to someone else. Teaching forces you to distill concepts
to their essence, thereby clarifying those concepts, revealing assumptions, and exposing misconceptions.
Your goal is to create the simplest explanation that is still technically accurate.
Write your own questions based on what you read, as though you are a teacher preparing to test
students comprehension of the subject matter.
How to effectively problem-solve and troubleshoot:

Study principles, not procedures. Dont be satisfied with merely knowing the steps necessary to compute
solutions challenge yourself to learn why those solutions work. If you cant explain why, you really
havent learned the most important part.
Sketch a diagram to help visualize the problem. When building a real system, always prototype it on
paper and analyze its function before constructing it.
Identify what it is you need to solve, identify all relevant data, identify all units of measurement, identify
any general principles or formulae linking the given information to the solution, and then identify any
missing pieces to a solution. Annotate all diagrams with this data.
Perform thought experiments to explore the effects of different conditions for theoretical problems.
When troubleshooting real systems, perform diagnostic tests rather than visually inspecting for faults.
Simplify the problem and solve that simplified problem to identify strategies applicable to the original
problem (e.g. change quantitative to qualitative, or visa-versa; substitute easier numerical values;
eliminate confusing details; add details to eliminate unknowns; consider simple limiting cases; apply an
analogy). Often you can add or remove components in a malfunctioning system to simplify it as well
and better identify the nature and location of the problem.
Work backward from a hypothetical solution to a new set of given conditions.
How to create more time for study:

Kill your television and video games. Seriously these are incredible wastes of time. Eliminate
distractions (e.g. cell phone, internet, socializing) in your place and time of study.
Use your in between time productively. Dont leave campus for lunch. Arrive to school early. If you
finish your assigned work early, begin studying the next days material.
Above all, cultivate persistence. Persistent effort is necessary to master anything non-trivial. The keys
to persistence are (1) having the desire to achieve that mastery, and (2) realizing challenges are normal and
not an indication of something gone wrong. A common error is to equate easy with effective: students often
believe learning should be easy if everything is done right. The truth is that mastery never comes easy!
file question0
19
Creative Commons License
This worksheet is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, version 1.0. To view
a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/1.0/ or send a letter to Creative
Commons, 559 Nathan Abbott Way, Stanford, California 94305, USA. The terms and conditions of this
license allow for free copying, distribution, and/or modification of all licensed works by the general public.
Simple explanation of Attribution License:

The licensor (Tony Kuphaldt) permits others to copy, distribute, display, and otherwise use this
work. In return, licensees must give the original author(s) credit. For the full license text, please visit
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/1.0/ on the internet.
More detailed explanation of Attribution License:

Under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution License, you may make freely
use, make copies, and even modify these worksheets (and the individual source files comprising them)
without having to ask me (the author and licensor) for permission. The one thing you must do is properly
credit my original authorship. Basically, this protects my efforts against plagiarism without hindering the
end-user as would normally be the case under full copyright protection. This gives educators a great deal
of freedom in how they might adapt my learning materials to their unique needs, removing all financial and
legal barriers which would normally hinder if not prevent creative use.
Nothing in the License prohibits the sale of original or adapted materials by others. You are free to
copy what I have created, modify them if you please (or not), and then sell them at any price. Once again,
the only catch is that you must give proper credit to myself as the original author and licensor. Given that
these worksheets will be continually made available on the internet for free download, though, few people
will pay for what you are selling unless you have somehow added value.
Nothing in the License prohibits the application of a more restrictive license (or no license at all) to
derivative works. This means you can add your own content to that which I have made, and then exercise
full copyright restriction over the new (derivative) work, choosing not to release your additions under the
same free and open terms. An example of where you might wish to do this is if you are a teacher who desires
to add a detailed answer key for your own benefit but not to make this answer key available to anyone
else (e.g. students).
Note: the text on this page is not a license. It is simply a handy reference for understanding the Legal
Code (the full license) - it is a human-readable expression of some of its key terms. Think of it as the
user-friendly interface to the Legal Code beneath. This simple explanation itself has no legal value, and its
contents do not appear in the actual license.
file license
20
Questions
Question 1
Read and outline the Ultrasonic Level Measurement subsection of the Echo section of the
Continuous Level Measurement chapter in your Lessons In Industrial Instrumentation textbook. Note
the page numbers where important illustrations, photographs, equations, tables, and other relevant details
are found. Prepare to thoughtfully discuss with your instructor and classmates the concepts and examples
explored in this reading.
file i03960
Question 2
Read and outline the Radar Level Measurement subsection of the Echo section of the Continuous
Level Measurement chapter in your Lessons In Industrial Instrumentation textbook. Note the page numbers
where important illustrations, photographs, equations, tables, and other relevant details are found. Prepare
to thoughtfully discuss with your instructor and classmates the concepts and examples explored in this
reading.
file i03961
Question 3
Read and outline the Magnetostrictive Level Measurement subsection of the Echo section of the
Continuous Level Measurement chapter in your Lessons In Industrial Instrumentation textbook. Note
the page numbers where important illustrations, photographs, equations, tables, and other relevant details
are found. Prepare to thoughtfully discuss with your instructor and classmates the concepts and examples
explored in this reading.
file i03962
21
Question 4
The following graph shows the signal strength received by a guided-wave radar (GWR) level instrument
over time:
UNZ
Echo pulse
Amplitude (mV)
End-of-probe
pulse
Reference
(fiducial)
pulse
0
Distance (inches)
Explain how the graph will change if:

The liquid level increases
The dielectric constant () of the liquid decreases
The density of the liquid decreases (assuming constant )
A liquid-liquid interface consisting of two liquids with different densities is introduced into the vessel
Also, explain what UNZ refers to (the Upper Null Zone).
Suggestions for Socratic discussion
Describe a practical reason for configuring a radar transmitter to have an upper null zone, and how this
differs from a radar instruments transition zones.
Explain why the timing of both the echo pulse and the end-of-probe pulse will shift as liquid level changes
in this system.
file i00289
22
Question 5
Ultrasonic, radar, and magnetostrictive level measuring instruments use the principle of time-of-flight to
determine the level of a process substance in a vessel. A critical factor for the accuracy of any time-of-flight
measurement technology is the velocity of propagation for the wave in question, through the substance(s)
that wave must travel. Examine each of these illustrations and then determine which of the velocities of
propagation (v) matter and which do not. Be prepared to explain why, in each case!
Ultrasonic
level Magnetostrictive
instrument level instrument
Echo
vair vair vair

Float
vmetal
(rod)
vwater vwater Echo vwater
Ultrasonic
level
instrument
Non-contact Guided-wave Guided-wave

radar level radar level radar interface
instrument instrument level instrument
Echo Echo Echoes
vair vair vair
voil
vwater vwater
vwater
Next, identify physical variables effecting the velocity of propagation for each of the waves in question.
Which of these level-sensing technologies do you suspect enjoys the greatest immunity from calibration
error resulting from changing process conditions?
In each case, identify factors influencing the strength of the received signal.
23
file i03625
Question 6
Suppose an instrument salesperson comes to your shop and tells you his companys radar level
transmitter product is superior to all hydrostatic and displacer level transmitters because those instruments
accuracy depends on a fixed process liquid density, whereas radar transmitters do not. Thus, he tells you,
his radar transmitters will give accurate level measurements even when process pressures and temperatures
change.
What do you think of this claim? Is the salespersons claim true, or not? Explain.
If a magnetostrictive level transmitter salesperson made a comparable claim that the accuracy of a
magnetostrictive instrument would not be affected by changes in process liquid density would you believe
it?
file i03626
24
Question 7
Calculate the percentage of incident power reflected back to the transmitter, and the percentage of
incident power transmitted (forward) through the liquid in this radar level measurement application:
Radar level transmitter
87 oF
(Air)
=1 Pincident Preflected
Pforward
(Water)
= 78
Also, calculate the ullage for this vessel in both units of meters and units of feet/inches, given a
reflected pulse (echo) time of 11.176 nanoseconds. Note: the propagation velocity of radio waves in
air is approximately 3 108 meters per second, the same as the speed of light in a vacuum.
An effective problem-solving technique to apply to the calculation of ullage is to simplify the problem
and solve that simplified problem. In this case, an easy way to simplify the problem is to change
the numerical values for echo time and speed of light until the solution for ullage becomes obvious even
without using a calculator. Then the formula we must use to calculate any time/speed/ullage echo
problem will be apparent. Apply the simplify the problem technique to this ullage calculation.
Would you say this is an example of good signal reflection, or poor signal reflection? In general terms,
what condition(s) make for strong reflected signals for a radar-based level instrument?
file i04216
25
Question 8
Read selected portions of the Rosemount 5300 Series high performance guided wave radar manual
(part 00809-0100-4530, Revision AA, June 2007), and answer the following questions:
Pages 3-8 and 3-9 list guidelines for installing guided-wave radar instruments in liquid and in solid
services. Identify some of these guidelines and explain the rationale for them.
Pages 7-3 through 7-10 discuss the use of Rosemounts Radar Master configuration software to analyze
the transmitters Echo Curve. After reading this section, explain how threshold values are used to
identify the meaning of echo pulses. Also, explain how the Amplitude Threshold Curve may be used to
ignore false echos resulting from disturbing objects in the process vessel (e.g. ladders, baffle plates, etc.).
Guided-wave radar transmitters are capable of measuring liquid-liquid interfaces in addition to simple
liquid levels. Thus, a GWR transmitter may be considered a multivariable device. This presents a challenge:
how to communicate multiple measurement variables over a single 4-20 mA signal wire pair. A solution
presented on pages 2-6, 5-44, and 5-45 of this manual shows the use of a device called a HART Tri-Loop
to extract three 4-20 mA signals from the transmitter, each signal representing a different process variable.
Explain how this is possible, based on what you know of HART.
Identify an echo curve shown in the manual where the detection threshold is set incorrectly, and identify
whether the threshold value needs to be increased or decreased.
Explain how the Amplitude Threshold Curve (ATC) may be used to set thresholds in way that is more
sophisticated, in order to avoid falsely interpreting interfering objects as liquid levels.
Explain how Probe End Projection may be used to determine product level even in cases where there
is insufficient echo generated at the top of the product to measure reliably.
Will the apparent probe end position rise or fall as the level of material in a vessel increases?
In order to use a Tri-Loop device with a HART transmitter, the transmitter must be configured for
burst mode. What do you suppose burst mode means for a HART transmitter?
file i00928
26
Question 9
= 1.15 35 PSI
Pincident Preflected
Pforward
= 11
Also, calculate the ullage and fillage for this vessel, given a reflected pulse (echo) time of 18.3
nanoseconds and a total vessel height of 30 feet.
Suppose the permittivity of the vapor were to increase. How would this affect the calibration of the radar
transmitter? Would it result in a zero shift, a span shift, a change in linearity, or some combination of
these?
Identify different process conditions that would result in the permittivity of the vapor significantly
changing.
file i04217
27
Question 10
A process used in the oil refining industry to make high-octane gasoline feedstock is called alkylation.
So-called alky units employ a concentrated acid as the catalyst for the alkylation reaction, usually sulfuric
acid:
Alkylation process flow diagram

Feed
Caustic
Reactor scrubber Deisobutanizer
Acid settler
Alkylate
Reject acid
Fresh acid
The acid settler vessel is a separator, allowing the reaction products and acid catalyst to separate
according to their respective densities (concentrated sulfuric acid being denser than any hydrocarbon). The
interface level between hydrocarbon liquid and acid must be tightly controlled for the process to work well.
It is bad for acid to carry over to the caustic scrubber (if the interface rises too high), and it is also bad
for hydrocarbon liquids to leave the system through the reject acid line (if the interface falls too low).
Research typical permittivity values for hydrocarbon liquids and sulfuric acid, then calculate the
reflection factor (R) for the hydrocarbon/acid interface assuming the use of a guided-wave radar instrument
to measure this oil/acid interface level.
What types of personal protective equipment (PPE) do you think an instrument technician might need
to wear before working on a instrument contacting this highly concentrated acid?
file i04515
28
Question 11
Air
r = 1 Pincident Preflected
Pforward
Oil
r = 7
Also, calculate the ullage for this vessel in units of feet, given a reflected pulse (echo) time of 17.0
nanoseconds. Assume a speed of light in vacuum to be 3 108 meters per second. For all your answers, be
sure to show your work!
Pref lected = %
Pf orward = %
Ullage = ft
file i00034
29
Question 12
Suppose a guided-wave radar transmitter is used to measure the ullage of vessel where the liquid has
a relative permittivity of 37 and the vapor has a relative permittivity of 1.2 (at atmospheric pressure and
standard temperature):
= 1.2 (at 1 atm. pressure) 1.5 m
= 37
First, calculate the echo time for an ullage of 1.5 meters (as shown):
t=
Next, calculate the echo time assuming the pressure of the vapor increases from 1 atmosphere to 3
atmospheres.
t=
file i04623
30
Question 13
Calculate the two distances (x1 and x2 ) in this radar level measurement application given echo times of
9.7 ns and 85.3 ns, respectively:
Vapor x1
= 1.2 Timing diagram
t2
t1
Liquid x2
= 6.0 vapor/liquid liquid/liquid
Reference
pulse
Liquid
= 35
t1 = 9.7 ns
t2 = 85.3 ns
file i04219
31
Question 14
Calculate the two echo times (t1 and t2 ) in this radar level measurement application:
Vapor 1m
t2
t1
Liquid
1.8 m
= 11.0 vapor/liquid liquid/liquid
Reference
pulse
Liquid 2.3 m
= 75.0
file i04624
32
Question 15
Calculate the three distances (x1 , x2 , and x3 ) in this radar level measurement application given times
between echo pulses of 10.7 ns, 31.8 ns, and 80.5 ns, respectively:
Vapor x1
10.7 ns
31.8 ns 80.5 ns
Liquid x2
= 15
Reference
pulse
Liquid x3
= 44
x1 =
x2 =
x3 =
file i04622
33
Question 16
A guided-wave radar transmitter is installed in this process vessel through a nozzle welded to the vessel
at a 35o angle from horizontal:
Process vessel
35o
This transmitters rigid probe happens to be precisely 8 feet 0 inches long, and has transition zones
20 inches in length (each). Calculate the vertical level-measurement span this transmitter will provide as
installed.
file i03744
34
Question 17
The following storage vessel holds a liquid with a density of 57.5 lb/ft3 . A pneumatic pressure transmitter
located at the bottom infers liquid level by hydrostatic pressure (head). Determine the calibration range of
this pressure transmitter in order to properly translate the range of vessel level (0 to 30 feet) into an output
signal of 3 to 15 PSI. Please express the transmitters calibration range in units of PSI.
"Full"
(100% level)
30 feet
20 PSI supply
air
Liquid
Density = 57.5 lb/ft3 Output signal
(3-15 PSI)
71 oF
Pressure
H L transmitter
"Empty"
(0% level)
Then, determine the following (assuming the transmitter has been properly calibrated for the
application):
Transmitter output signal (PSI) at 19 feet of level
Liquid level at 12.4 PSI signal output
file i00244
35
Question 18
A level indicator is registering a liquid level that is falsely low. The operator has hand-gauged the
storage vessel with a tape measure and determined the actual level to be 9 feet, but the level indicator (LI)
registers 7.5 feet. The calibrated range of the 4-20 mA transmitter is 0 feet to 12 feet. You measure the
current signal with your multimeter and find that it is 14 mA. Which instrument is at fault in this system?
How do you know?
Indication:
7.5 feet
Vessel 0-12 feet 4-20 mA
4-20 mA 0-12 feet
LT LI
Level transmitter Level indicator
Actual level: Measured signal:

9 feet 14 mA
file i00321
36
Question 19
Examine the different configuration parameter fields for a guided-wave radar transmitter shown in this
screenshot (taken on a personal computer running Emerson AMS software, interrogating a Rosemount model
3300 level transmitter), and explain the importance of each one:
Do you think it is realistic to set the span of a GWR transmitter equal to its probe length? Why or
why not?
What does the selection Interf w. imrsd prb mean, especially in comparison with the other
measurement mode options?
What significance does the Probe Angle setting have?
file i00292
Question 20
37
Question 21
Read and outline the Weight section of the Continuous Level Measurement chapter in your Lessons
In Industrial Instrumentation textbook. Note the page numbers where important illustrations, photographs,
equations, tables, and other relevant details are found. Prepare to thoughtfully discuss with your instructor
and classmates the concepts and examples explored in this reading.
file i03963
Question 22
Read and outline the Capacitive section of the Continuous Level Measurement chapter in your
Lessons In Industrial Instrumentation textbook. Note the page numbers where important illustrations,
photographs, equations, tables, and other relevant details are found. Prepare to thoughtfully discuss with
your instructor and classmates the concepts and examples explored in this reading.
file i03964
Question 23
Read and outline the Radiation section of the Continuous Level Measurement chapter in your
file i03965
38
Question 24
When using load cells to measure vessel level, certain precautions must be taken to ensure accurate
measurements:
Pipe
Flexible
coupling
Vessel
Pipe
Flexible
Load Load coupling
cell cell
One important precaution to take is installing flexible couplings on all pipes leading into and out of the
vessel. Rigid pipes will cause measurement errors explain why this is.
Supposing this (vertical) cylindrical storage tank is 10 feet in diameter, 8 feet high from the tank bottom
to the base of the conical roof (11 feet from the tank bottom to the roof peak), fabricated entirely of mild
steel, and weighs 12,933 pounds when empty, calculate the liquid level inside the tank at a measured total
weight of 40,854 pounds. Assume a liquid with a density of 60.5 pounds per cubic foot.
Identify some practical applications in industry where weight-based level measurement would be
preferable over other technologies.
One of the factors potentially causing measurement errors in a system such as this weather, at last
for vessels located outside. Identify some specific weather conditions that could cause problems, and
explain how those problems would show up in the vessels level indication signal.
file i00326
39
Question 25
Suppose a brewery decides to install a capacitive level probe to measure the height of malt (partially
germinated barley grains) in a storage silo:
4-20 mA signal
Malt from LT
delivery CA
Malt storage
silo
Malt to
processing
Unfortunately, the capacitive level instrument fails to yield reliable measurements of malt height, due to
variations in the malts moisture content from delivery to delivery. Wet malt has a greater bulk permittivity
than dry malt, causing the level transmitter to register differently with the same actual height of malt inside
the silo.
The operations manager approaches you for a solution to this problem. What do you recommend?
When the malt is wetter but the actual malt level has not changed, will the LT register a greater level
or a lesser level? Explain why.
Are there any ways to make a capacitive instrument do a better job in this application?
For any alternative technologies you recommend, identify ways in which each one might also suffer
problems when trying to measure the height of malted barley gains inside the silo.
file i00318
40
Question 26
A coke calcining operation (where petroleum coke is burned to decrease its hydrogen content) uses a
large bin to collect coke dust that forms around its hooded conveyor systems. The level of coke dust inside
this bin is measured by a gamma-radiation instrument:
Silencer
Air fan
From conveyor
hood vents
Cyclone
separator
lead
source
Detector
lead array
Coke dust bin signal
source
lead
source
Rotary feeder To recycle
Explain how this system uses nuclear radiation to measure coke dust level.
Why does this system use multiple radioactive sources? Why do you suppose one is not sufficient?
Suppose some radioactive material accidently entered the storage bin along with coke dust. Would this
shift the level instruments zero, the span, or both?
Identify some alternative technologies which we could use to measure the coke dust level.
What function does a cyclone separator perform, based on an analysis of this simple process flow
diagram? Note: cyclone separators are commonly used in sawmill operations, to handle wood chips in
a moving air stream.
file i00320
41
Question 27
Read and outline the Material Volume Measurement section of the Signal Characterization
chapter in your Lessons In Industrial Instrumentation textbook. Note the page numbers where important
illustrations, photographs, equations, tables, and other relevant details are found. Prepare to thoughtfully
discuss with your instructor and classmates the concepts and examples explored in this reading.
Note: feel free to skip the calculus derivations in this section, concentrating on the end-results: formulae
that predict volume given height measurement in vessels of different geometry.
If you would like to learn more about 3D-mapping of solid materials in storage vessels, consult the
datasheet or manual for Rosemounts model 5708 3D Solids Scanner instrument. This instrument uses a
cluster of ultrasonic transducers to create a three-dimensional map of the materials surface shape, allowing
precise calculations of stored volume despite angles of repose, material clumping, and other phenomena
rendering single-point level measurement impractical.
For those who have studied PLC programming, explain how you could implement a multi-point
characterization function in Ladder Diagram programming.
file i03969
42
Question 28
Three level-sensing instruments measure the same liquid level at the bottom of this fractionation tower
(LT-38a, LT-38b, and LT-38c), but their measurements do not agree. An operator calls you to investigate,
showing you on the control system display how LT-38a registers 46.2%, LT-38b registers 45.9%, and LT-38c
registers 58.5%:
E-5, E-6, E-7 E-8 E-9 P-10 P-11 P-12 P-13 P-14 P-15 C-5 V-13
FEED HEAT RECOVERY EXCHANGERS OVERHEAD PRODUCT CONDENSER BOTTOMS REBOILER MAIN CHARGE FEED PUMP BACKUP CHARGE FEED PUMP MAIN BOTTOMS PRODUCT PUMP BACKUP BOTTOMS PRODUCT PUMP MAIN OVERHEAD PRODUCT PUMP BACKUP OVERHEAD PRODUCT PUMP MAIN FRACTIONATION TOWER OVERHEAD ACCUMULATOR
80 MM BTU/hr 55 MM BTU/hr 70 MM BTU/hr 2100 GPM @ 460 PSID 1900 GPM @ 460 PSID 2880 GPM @ 70 PSID 2880 GPM @ 70 PSID 2350 GPM @ 55 PSID 2350 GPM @ 55 PSID Dia 10-3" Height 93 DP 81 PSIG
Shell 500 PSIG @ 650 oF Shell 120 PSIG @ 650 oF Shell 630 PSIG @ 800 oF DP 57 PSIG DT 650 oF
Tube 660 PSIG @ 730 oF Tube 165 PSIG @ 400 oF Tube 600 PSIG @ 880 oF DT 650 oF top, 710 oF bottom
NC
Note 2
RTD FO To LP flare
Dwg. 62314
IAS
FT TT PV
33b
68 PT 68 3 to 9 PSI PG
H
PY PIC PY
68 PG 135
33a 33 L 33b
110
NOTES: PAH PV
FY Modbus RS-485 FIQ 33a
1. Backup (steam-driven) pumps automatically started by 2oo2 trip 66 9 to 15 PSI
logic, where both pressure switches must detect a low-pressure 68 68 PR
Cooling water
condition in order to start the backup pump. 33 return
FO Dwg. 11324
2. Transit-time ultrasonic flowmeter with pressure and temperature
compensation for measuring overhead gas flow to flare line. PSH PG PT
NC
66 108 33
FIR
67
FOUNDATION Fieldbus
PG
109 FT
E-8
67
HP cooling water
M
Dwg. 11324
Set @ 52 PSI Set @ 52 PSI FOUNDATION Fieldbus
PG RTD Overhead product

111 Dwg. 28542
Set @ 55 PSI Set @ 55 PSI
H
IAS FC LIC FOUNDATION Fieldbus
FOUNDATION Fieldbus FOUNDATION Fieldbus FT FT TT
31 31 30 L
FV Set @ 69 PT 69
P 31 73 PSI 69
FO
NC
LG LT FY FIR
V-13
32 30 69 69
AIC FY
42 40c
Lead/Lag Lead/Lag
FY FY
40a 40b
FOUNDATION Fieldbus FC FY
34 34
FT PG
40 134 FT IAS
AIC FV
34
36 34
IAS P
Distillate product
FIC FY FC Dwg. 28543
35 35
PG AT
136 36 FT NC
35 FV
35
FOUNDATION Fieldbus FFC PG
Sidedraw product
41 127
Dwg. 28545
C-5
FOUNDATION Fieldbus PG PG
NC
FT IAS 130 131

41 FV
41
P
600 PSI steam
Dwg. 10957 FC
NC
AIT
42 TT TIR
FT
53 53 37
PG PG
138 137
Bottoms product TIR TT
Dwg. 28544 50 50
LAH
E-5 58 Displacer Magnetostrictive (float) PG
LT LT 132
TIR TT TT TIR 38b 38c PG
LSH HLL = 7-2"
51 51 54 54 133
58 E-9
Fractionator feed LT
from charge heater LG NLL = 5-4"
38a
Dwg. 27004 39
E-6 LSL LLL = 3-8" Condensate return
57 Median
select
Dwg. 10957
LY H
TIR TT TT TIR LIC FIC
52 52 55 55 38 38 L 37
IAS
FV
E-7 37
LAL P
57
TT TIR FO
56 56
NC
PG TIR TT
106 PG 59 59 PG PG
107 HC 140 HC 141 HC
142 143 144
Set @ Set @ Set @
410 PSI IAS PG 500 PSI IAS 100 PSI IAS
139
S
S
PSL PSL PSL

60 62 64
PSL I PSL I PSL I
S
S
61 63 65
R
R
R
Note 1 Note 1 Note 1
PG PG PG PG PG PG
123 124 119 113 116 118
FO FO FO
RO RO RO RO RO RO
PG PG PG PG PG PG
M M M
122 125 120 112 115 117
P-10 P-11 P-12 P-13 P-14 P-15

PG
114
PG Condensate return
121 Dwg. 10957
1000 PSI steam

Dwg. 10957
Your first test is to have the operator take a sample of liquid from the bottom of the tower and analyze
its density to see if it is within spec. The operator does this, and it appears the density is exactly what it
should be for normal tower operation. First, explain why this was a useful test to do, and what you would
have expected the density to test at (i.e. less than normal or greater than normal?) had this been the
problem.
Next, identify a condition that could account for the discrepancy in these transmitter indications, and
also determine what your diagnostic step would be after taking the density sample.
Why do you suppose three different instruments are used to measure the same liquid level in this
application?
Identify the function of LY-38.
If the tower bottoms product happened to be denser than it should be, what effect would this have on
all three level transmitters readings?
If the tower bottoms product temperature happens to increase dramatically, what effect will this have
on all three level transmitters readings?
43
file i03427
Question 29
Suppose the voltmeter in this bridge circuit is pegged in the negative direction (i.e. it registers a
strong negative voltage beyond its normal measurement range). A test using a digital multimeter (DMM)
shows the voltage between test points A and C to be 6 volts:
12 volts
(0.25 amps
current-limited)

+
C
1 k 1 k
R1 Red
R2
A B
Voltmeter
Blk
R3 R4
1 k 1 k
Identify the likelihood of each specified fault for this circuit. Consider each fault one at a time (i.e. no
coincidental faults), determining whether or not each fault could independently account for all measurements
and symptoms in this circuit.
Fault Possible Impossible

R1 failed open
R2 failed open
R3 failed open
R4 failed open
R1 failed shorted
R2 failed shorted
R3 failed shorted
R4 failed shorted
Voltage source dead
Finally, identify the next diagnostic test or measurement you would make on this system. Explain how
the result(s) of this next test or measurement help further identify the location and/or nature of the fault.
file i00313
44
Question 30
Calculate the appropriate LRV and URV pressures for this hydrostatic level measurement system,
assuming the process liquid has a weight density of 44 pounds per cubic foot at a temperature of 23 degrees
Celsius, and that the wet leg compensating impulse line is filled with a glycerin/water mix (S.G. = 1.13).
Assume a static vessel pressure of 126 PSI:
15"
URV
Process vessel
94" Filled with
glycerin/water
LRV
DP transmitter
511"
H L
Filled with process liquid
Express your answers in units of inches water column (W.C. or H2 O).
As liquid level increases in this vessel, will the transmitters signal increase or decrease (i.e. is this level
transmitter direct or reverse acting?
If the process liquid heats up and becomes less dense (but the actual level remains the same), will the
transmitters 4-20 mA signal increase, decrease, or remain the same?
If the wet leg is filled with pure glycerin instead of a glycerin/water mixture (but the process liquid
level remains the same), will the transmitters 4-20 mA signal increase, decrease, or remain the same?
Describe a step-by-step procedure for re-filling the wet leg with glycerin, assuming a pressurized vessel.
file i03747
45
Question 31
A block of metal of unknown density weighs 500 pounds when dry. When completely submerged in
water, its measured weight is only 400 pounds. Calculate the volume of the block, in units of cubic feet.
Also, calculate the density of this block, both in units of lb/ft3 and g/cm3 .
Finally, write an equation solving for the density of the block (Dblock ) in terms of the blocks dry weight
(Wdry ), the blocks submerged weight (Wwet ), and the known density of the liquid (Dliquid ).
A useful problem-solving technique to apply when formulating a general equation is to think of

an extremely simply numerical example problem, one where the number values are so simple that
the solution to that problem is obvious and does not need an equation. Then, take that obvious
problem/solution and see what form of equation would make the variables relate properly to each other.
Try to apply this technique to the problem given here, in order to write a general equation useful for
solving any similar problem.
file i00272
Question 32
Draw the symbols for the following types of liquid level indicating instruments, each one mounted to
the top of a process vessel:
Tape and float
Radar gauge
Ultrasonic (sound) gauge
Laser (light) gauge
Resistive tape
Capacitive probe
Nuclear radiation
file i00323
Question 33
A person is floating in a swimming pool on an inflatable plastic cushion, holding a cup of drinking water.
If this person accidently dumps their drinking water into the pool, does the water level in the pool increase,
decrease, or stay the same? Explain why.
file i00800
Question 34
A person is floating in a swimming pool on an inflatable plastic cushion, holding a bowling ball. If this
person accidently dumps the bowling ball into the pool, does the water level in the pool increase, decrease,
or stay the same? Explain why.
file i00801
Question 35
If an ultrasonic level instrument is used to measure the level of nitric acid in a vessel, and the density
of that acid increases over time due to increased concentration, how will the instrument respond? Will it
register an increased acid level, a decreased acid level, or will its indication remain the same as before?
Explain your answer.
file i00802
46
Question 36
If a tape-and-float level instrument is used to measure the level of alcohol in a vessel, and the density
of that alcohol suddenly decreases, how will the instrument respond? Will it register an increased alcohol
level, a decreased alcohol level, or will its indication remain the same as before? Explain your answer.
file i00803
Question 37
An operator notices that both pumps are running while level indicator LIR-134 shows a very low level
in the sump (less than one foot):
P-405 V-15 P-407 P-408 S-401

OILY WATER VENT EDUCTOR OILY WATER SUMP OILY WATER SUMP PUMP #1 OILY WATER SUMP PUMP #2 OILY WATER FILTER
85 CFM @ -2" H2O Cap: 35,000 gal 200 GPM @ 40 head 200 GPM @ 40 head Basket strainer with 100 mesh basket
MOC: Concrete w/ SS lining MOC: SS MOC: SS Capacity 450 GPM @ 1.5 PSID
Depth: 8 feet 11 inches DP 45 PSIG
PG MOC: SS
415
P-405
From 50# FI FO To incinerator
steam header
416 Dwg. 47221
Dwg. 13227
PV
132
PIC
H
132 PT PIR PG PG
137 WirelessHART 137 417 421
H
S-401
PT PIR
To oily water
139 139 L treatment
ST ST
Dwg. 72000
2" thick Steam trace for
freeze protection
FT FIR
140 140 PG
ST
ST
WirelessHART
420 Note 1
From unit 1
oily water sewer LC
Dwg. 72111 133
FT FIR PDT
LI
141 WirelessHART 141 136
138
Note 2
From unit 2
oily water sewer N2 P PDI PDY PDIR H
Dwg. 72112 LT
136 136 WirelessHART 136
138
ST
ST
FT FIR
142 WirelessHART 142
LSH PY PIR H
From unit 3 133 135 WirelessHART 135

oily water sewer FI
Dwg. 72113 133 LSL Radar
PSV PG PG H
133 PT LT LY LIR
98 418 419
135 134 134 WirelessHART 134
Set @ +1" WC LI
M M 134
MW 30"
ST
Notes:
HLL = 5 6" 1. Level controller alternates pumps at
Slope
each start-up. Turns both pumps on
if high level persists longer than 1 minute
2. Nitrogen gas purge for bubbler, supplied
from compressed nitrogen bottle.
LLL = 1 0"
P-407 P-408
V-15
SS lined
The operator summons you to investigate the problem. What do you recommend as your first diagnostic
test?
What type of level-measurement technology is being used in this system?

file i03528
Question 38
Question 39
Question 40
47
Question 41
Read and outline the Level Switches section of the Discrete Process Measurement chapter in your
file i03966
Question 42
An oil sump for a hydraulic system is equipped with a float-type level switch for sensing low oil level
and providing automatic shut-down capability for the hydraulic system:
LS "choppy" liquid surface

float
Turbulence will impose a

lateral force on the float,
possibly causing a false trip
Flow Flow
The flow rate of oil through the sump is quite high, and this presents a problem. With the oil being so
turbulent, the float does not rest gently on the oils surface. Instead, it is tossed to and fro on the choppy
surface, which can make the level switch think the float has gone down further than it actually has, thus
causing needless shutdowns.
One solution to this problem is a stilling well. Describe what a stilling well is, how you might make
one for this application, and why it works to prevent the problem.
Would an ultrasonic level switch be immune to the turbulence? Explain why or why not.
file i00298
48
Question 43
A form of liquid level switch called a tilt switch is often used for detecting sewage level in lift stations
where sewage collected from homes via gravity is pumped out of the collection sump to the wastewater
treatment plant (usually located miles away):
From homes From homes From homes
LSH LSH LSH
Empty Full
LSL LSL LSL
To WWTP To WWTP To WWTP
Pump Pump Pump
Tilt switches often use a small glass vial containing liquid mercury as the tilt sensor. Explain how
a glass tube partially filled with mercury works as an electrical tilt switch, and also perform a thought
experiment where you describe this systems function from start to finish through a complete start-stop
cycle of the pump motor:
L1 L2
M1 OL
LSL LSH
M1
M1
OL
To 3-phase
motor
AC power
What would happen if the OL switch failed open in this system?

What would happen if the LSL switch failed open in this system?
What would happen if the LSH switch failed open in this system?
What would happen if the LSL switch failed shorted in this system?
What would happen if the LSH switch failed shorted in this system?
What would happen if the LSH switch failed shorted in this system?
49
What would happen if the M1 seal-in contact failed open in this system?
What would happen if the M1 seal-in contact failed shorted in this system?
file i00303
Question 44
A very interesting form of liquid level switch exploits an optical principle known as Snells Law, which
relates the angle of a light beam as it passes from one transparent medium to another to the velocities of
light in both media:
Incident 1
light beam
v1 = Speed of light in first material
v2 = Speed of light in second material
Refracted
2 light beam
sin 1 sin 2
=
v1 v2
In this example, which material has the faster velocity of light? How can you tell?
Something interesting happens when we increase the angle of 1 . At some point, 2 increases to equal
90o , at which point the light never leaves the first medium, but experiences total internal reflection:
Total internal reflection
Incident 1
light beam
Reflected
v1 = Speed of light in first material light beam
v2 = Speed of light in second material
2 = 90o
Use algebra and trigonometry to solve for the minimum angle 1 at which total internal reflection occurs,
in terms of v1 and v2 .
50
We exploit this principle in a refractive-type level switch by aiming a light beam at the inside surface
of a quartz prism at such an angle that the light will internally reflect when the prism is surrounded by air,
but refract (and escape) when the prism is surrounded by water. This works because the velocities of light
in air and water are not equal:
Light source Light source
Quartz Quartz
prism prism
(air) (water)
Identify what else is needed in this optical system to make a complete, working switch, and identify
process fluids that would work well with this form of switch.
Examining the various illustrations shown, identify which of the materials at the interface possesses the
greatest dielectric permittivity.
file i00305
51
Question 45
The following level switch does not work as it should. When the water level reaches the probes, the
light bulb does not turn on.
To 120 VAC
power source
L1 L2
A
B
B/W Controls
model 1500
Light bulb inductive relay
Probes
Conductive
D F G liquid
N.O. switch contacts
An electrician has already taken a voltmeter and measured 118 volts AC between points D and G while
the water was high enough to contact the probes. Identify the likelihood of each specified fault for this
circuit. Consider each fault one at a time (i.e. no coincidental faults), determining whether or not each fault
could independently account for all measurements and symptoms in this circuit.

Probes shorted together
Light bulb burned out
Primary relay coil failed open
Secondary relay coil failed open
Broken wire between B and E
120 VAC source dead
file i00306
52
Question 46
Switches, whether they be hand-actuated or actuated by a physical process, come in two varieties:
normally-open (NO) and normally-closed (NC). You are probably accustomed to seeing both types of switch
represented in pushbutton form on schematic diagrams:
Normally-open Normally-closed
pushbutton switch pushbutton switch
Normally-open pushbutton switches close (pass current) when actuated (pressed). When un-actuated,
they return to their normal (open) state.
Normally-closed pushbutton switches are just the opposite: they open (stop current) when actuated
(pressed) and return to their normal (closed, passing current) state when un-actuated.
This is simple enough to comprehend: the normal status of a momentary-contact pushbutton switch
is the state it is in when no one is touching it. When pressed, the pushbutton switch goes to the other
(opposite) state.
Things get more confusing, though, when we examine process switches, such as pressure switches, level
switches, temperature switches, and flow switches:
pressure switch pressure switch
level switch level switch
temperature switch temperature switch
flow switch flow switch
Define normal for each of these process switches. In other words, explain what condition(s) each
process switch must be in to ensure it is in the normal state; and conversely, what condition(s) need to be
applied to each switch to force it into its other state.
file i02966
53
Question 47
For each of the following level switch types, determine the applicability to liquid versus solid (granular
or powder) process materials, marking the appropriate box with a check. Be prepared to defend your
answers with reasons based on the operating principle of each switch! Note that you may need to qualify
your answers, such as in the case where a particular type of level switch can only detect certain types of
liquids or certain types of solids:
Switch type Solid material Liquid material

Float
Rotating paddle
Tuning fork
Ultrasonic
Capacitive
Radar
Conductivity
Optical (refraction)
Identify ways each of these level switch types may be fooled into either falsely detecting the presence
of material, or falsely indicating the absence of material.
file i02332
Question 48
Read selected sections of the National Transportation Safety Boards report (NTSB/PAR-04/02,
PB2004-916502 Notation 7666) of the 2003 storage tank explosion and fire in Glenpool, Oklahoma, and
answer the following questions.
Read the Accident Narrative section of the report (pages 1-6) and describe in your own words how the
situation progressed from the initial tank filling to the explosion. The NTSBs own analysis of the incident
occurs later in the report. What was the most likely cause of this accident, and how could it have been
avoided?
Also read pages 9-13 and pages 20-24, answering the following questions:
Explain what a floating roof is, and the purpose it serves in a fuel storage tank.
Describe what a datum plate is, and how the stored fuel quantity may be determined by manual tape
measurement of liquid level and reference to a strapping table.
At what volume and height (level) values did the original strapping table give for liquid contact with
the floating roof, and for the point at which the roof would actually float? How does this compare with
the values determines for liquid contact by investigators after the accident?
Describe what a bonding system is inside a floating-roof fuel storage tank, and explain the purpose of
this system.
Explain what the filling rate of a floating-roof fuel storage tank has to do with safety, especially at a
point when there is not enough fuel in the tank to float the roof.
file i03968
54
Question 49
Some level switches use a vibrating rod or paddle to sense the presence of liquids or solids at a specific
point. Explain how such vibrating level switches work, in as much detail as you can. Hint: sometimes these
switches are known as tuning fork switches if they use two balanced paddles to sense the presence of liquid
or solid material.
Also identify potential problems with this type of point-level detector caused by improper installation.
file i00301
Question 50
Some level switches use a motor-rotated paddle to sense the presence of solids at a specific point. Explain
how such rotating paddle level switches work, in as much detail as you can.
Also identify potential problems with this type of point-level detector caused by improper installation.
file i00302
Question 51
One form of non-contact level switch utilizes nuclear radiation to sense the absence or presence of level
within a vessel, either liquid or solid. Briefly explain how these level switches work.
file i00304
Question 52
assuming the process liquid has a weight density of 55 pounds per cubic foot:
URV
12 ft = 55 lb/ft3
7 ft
Fill fluid S.G. = 1.07

LRV
3 ft
H L
LT
Express your answers in units of PSI.
If this transmitter were replaced with another one having the exact same calibration but different fill
fluid (S.G. = 0.951 instead of 1.07), how would its level-measurement accuracy be affected?
file i03748
55
Question 53
A large vessel containing crude oil has a defective radar-based level transmitter. Until the level
transmitter is replaced by one of your co-workers, operators need to periodically check the crude oil level in
the vessel. The vessel is vented, but inaccessible to a tape measure, float, or any other manual sounding
device one might ordinarily use to determine liquid level in a vessel.
Devise a way to provide a simple yet reasonably accurate level measurement indication for operators to
use while they wait for the radar-based level transmitter to be replaced.
file i03591
56
Question 54
When measuring the volume of liquid stored in a vertical cylinder, the function relating liquid height
(h) to stored liquid volume (V ) is quite simple:
V = r2 h
The term r2 defines the cross-sectional area of the cylindrical tank, which when multiplied by the
liquid height (h) gives an answer for volume (V ) in cubic units.
Calculating stored liquid volume in a horizontal cylinder is not nearly as simple. The effective cross-
sectional area of the cylinder varies with liquid height, and this variation is not linearly proportional to
height. As a result, the function relating liquid height to stored liquid volume is quite complex:
r
h
r2

1 (h r)
p
2 2
V = L (h r) 2hr h + r sin +
r 2
Using this formula, calculate the amount of liquid volume stored in a horizontal cylinder with the
following dimensions, assuming a liquid height (h) of 3 feet:
r = 5 feet
L = 25 feet
Express your answer in units of gallons. Note: the formula shown assumes the use of radians as the
unit of angle measurement for the arc-sine function rather than degrees.
file i02957
57
Question 55
Hobbyists building their own Tesla Coils often need to fabricate their own high-voltage capacitors for
building the LC resonant circuit which is the heart of the coil:
Basic resonant stage of

a Tesla Coil
One ingenious way to build such capacitors is to use old glass beer or soda bottles filled with salt water,
with a metal rod or chain dipped into the water and aluminum foil wrapped tightly around the outside:
Beer-bottle capacitor
Terminals
To obtain enough capacitance, one must usually group several of these beer-bottle capacitors together
in parallel. I mean, whats the point of having beer-bottle capacitors unless you can make a six-pack with
them?
As odd as it may seem, this actually has something to do with industrial instrumentation! Identify
which parts of the beer-bottle capacitor form the conductive plates of the capacitor and which part forms
the dielectric. Then identify how capacitance would be affected if we were to change the level of salt water
in the beer bottle. Finally, identify how this principle could be applied to the measurement of liquid level
inside a vessel.
Why use salt water instead of normal tap water?

If the bottle were made of thinner glass (all other factors being the same), would the capacitance increase
or decrease?
If the bottle were taller (all other factors being the same), would the capacitance increase or decrease?
If the bottle were wider (all other factors being the same), would the capacitance increase or decrease?
58
file i00317
59
Question 56
A rain gauge is nothing more than a vertical tube designed to capture rain water, and indicate the
accumulated rainfall on a scale alongside the tube:
Rain
Tube
scale
The diameter of the tube used for the rain gauge is irrelevant. Although a larger tube will of course
require more water to fill to the same height, it will also capture proportionally more rain, so any diameter
tube measures rainfall just the same.
However, if we equip our rain gauge with a funnel to capture more rain, the measurement will be
affected:
Rain
Funnel
Tube
scale
Supposing the diameter of the funnel is 5 inches, and the diameter of the tube is 1 inch, how much rain
water level will be indicated by the scale after one-quarter inch of actual rainfall? Does this represent a shift
in zero, a shift in span, or a shift in both for the rain gauge compared to its performance without the funnel?
file i02959
60
Question 57
A liquid storage vessel uses a bubbler system to measure its liquid level:
Purge gas
100%
DP transmitter
Measurement 129" H L
span = 10 ft
0%
D = 75 lb/ft3
Calculate the LRV and URV range points of the DP transmitter, in units of kPa:
LRV =
URV =
file i04159
61
Question 58
This hydrostatic liquid level transmitter system has been equipped with standpipes and extra hand
valves to enable wet calibration of the transmitter:
1 2
URV
LRV
7 6 4
5 8
H L
3 9
First, identify the proper position (open or shut) for each hand valve when the transmitter is in regular
operation.
Next, specify a procedure to apply an LRV test pressure to the transmitter using the valves and
standpipe(s).
file i01016
62
Question 59
Question 60
Question 61
List some of the fundamental principles (e.g. basic laws of physics, chemistry, mathematics, logic, electric
circuits, process control, etc.) you have applied in this course of study so far, as well as a brief description of
how you used these principles to solve problems and/or understand new concepts. It is strongly recommended
that you review the objectives for the upcoming mastery exam as well as feedback (exam practice) questions:
Of these principles, which seem the most important to you and why?
Of these principles, which seem the most challenging to apply?
Identify strategies you will use to improve your understanding of these principles.
file i00999
63
Question 62
Determine a basic 5-point (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%) calibration table for the displacer level
transmitter in this scenario:
350 PSI
100% 100%
displacer
Measurement Block Measurement
span = 24 in valves span = 24 in
0% Water 0%
5 in
The cylindrical displacer weighs 10 pounds (dry) and has a diameter of 2 inches. The process liquid is
water (density = 62.428 lb/ft3 ). The 0% process liquid level (LRV) begins when the displacer is submerged
5 inches. Assume a pneumatic transmitter mechanism with an output range of 3 to 15 PSI, and a calibration
tolerance of 1% (of span).
Percent of Buoyant Output signal Output signal Output signal

span (%) force (lb) ideal (PSI) min. (PSI) max. (PSI)
0
25
50
75
100
Be sure to show all your mathematical work so that your instructor will be able to check the conceptual
validity of your technique(s).
What effect would accidently leaving the lower block valve closed have on this instrument upon process
start-up?
What effect would accidently leaving the upper block valve closed have on this instrument upon process
start-up?
Describe a complete wet calibration procedure for this level transmitter.
Describe a complete dry calibration procedure for this level transmitter.
Demonstrate how to estimate numerical answers for this problem without using a calculator.
file i02958
64
Question 63
assuming the process liquid has a weight density of 43 pounds per cubic foot at the typical operating
temperature of 120 degrees Fahrenheit:
PI Pressure = 83 PSI
3 ft
URV
11 ft
LRV
4 ft
10 ft
H L
LT
Fill fluid S.G. = 1.07
Suppose an instrument technician relocates the DP transmitter to a location that is lower than it is
right now, from 10 feet below the LRV to 15 feet below the LRV. Will the transmitter still accurately
register liquid level in the vessel? If not, determine whether the error will be high (indicating more
liquid than there actually is) or low (indicating less liquid than there actually is).
Suppose an instrument technician relocates the DP transmitter to a location that is higher than it is
right now, from 10 feet below the LRV to 2 feet above the LRV. Will the transmitter still accurately
register liquid level in the vessel? If not, determine whether the error will be high (indicating more
liquid than there actually is) or low (indicating less liquid than there actually is).
Suppose the DP transmitter is replaced with another having a denser fill fluid (1.85 instead of 1.07).
Will the transmitter still accurately register liquid level in the vessel? If not, determine whether the
error will be high (indicating more liquid than there actually is) or low (indicating less liquid than there
actually is).
Suppose some of the fill fluid leaks out of the low side capillary tube. Will the transmitter still
accurately register liquid level in the vessel? If not, determine whether the error will be high (indicating
more liquid than there actually is) or low (indicating less liquid than there actually is).
Suppose the ambient temperature dramatically increases, causing the fill fluid to expand inside both
capillary tubes. Will the transmitter still accurately register liquid level in the vessel? If not, determine
whether the error will be high (indicating more liquid than there actually is) or low (indicating less
liquid than there actually is).
file i04514
65
Question 64
Calculate values for the following calibration table, for a transmitter measuring liquid level interface
(densities = 50 lb/ft3 and 70 lb/ft3 ), with a calibration tolerance of 1% and a 4-20 mA output range:
Flow in
Flow out 4 in
100%
Interface D = 50 lb/ft3 "dry" leg
measurement Span = 11 in
span = 11 in
0%
D = 70 lb/ft3 DP cell with
4-20 mA output
15 in
H L
Interface Percent of pressure Output signal Output signal Output signal

level (in) span (%) sensed (W.C) ideal (mA) min. (mA) max. (mA)
0
10
25
50
75
90
100
file i00686
66
Question 65
Determine the following voltage drops in this level-sensing circuit when the process level is at a height of
12 feet. Note that this is not a loop-powered transmitter, but receives its electrical power through separate
power conductors (120 volts AC). Assume negligible (0) voltage drop along the signal conductor lengths:
Loop Diagram: Feed tank level Revised by: M. Tech Date: Dec 32, 1997
Field process area Field P5 Field P30 Control room

panel panel
TB12 TB27 TB40

CBL 1 CBL 30 CBL 11
2 20 3
3 21 4 LY
LT 14
L1 LI
14
L2 TB13 14
250
ES 120VAC
Radar
G 1 L1
60 Hz
2 L2
3 G
ES 120VAC
60 Hz
Tag number Description Manufacturer Model Calibration Notes

LT-14 Radar level transmitter Enraf 0-30 ft ; 4-20 mA
LY-14 250 resistor +/- 0.1 %
LI-14 Panel indicator Red Lion 1-5 VDC
Voltage drop across transmitter signal terminals =

Voltage drop between TB40-3 and TB27-21 =
Voltage drop across 250 resistor =
If the voltage drop along the signal wiring length were significant rather than zero, how would the voltage
calculations be affected? Would significant loop wire resistance cause a level measurement error? If so,
would it result in a high error or a low error?
Explain why this particular level transmitter must be self-powered rather than loop-powered as is (more)
typical for process transmitters.
Explain why non-contact radar level transmitters must be used only on metal vessels in order to comply
with FCC regulations, while guided-wave radar level transmitters may be used in either metal or non-
metal vessels.
As process level increases, will the voltage measured across the transmitters terminals increase, decrease,
or remain the same?
Suppose this self-powered (4-wire) level transmitter were replaced be a loop-powered (2-wire) level
transmitter. As process level increases, will the voltage measured across the transmitters terminals
increase, decrease, or remain the same?
67
file i00293
Question 66
The following bubbler level measurement system has a problem. It registers zero level at all times,
no matter what the actual liquid level is in the tank. Inspecting the rotameter, you see it does register a
continuing flow of purge air:
Pressure
regulator
Rotameter V1
A.S.
Tank
4-20 mA signal
dip DP
tube transmitter
H L
Liquid
V2 V3 V4
(vent)

Leak in dip tube above liquid level
Valve V1 closed
Valve V2 closed
Valve V3 closed
Valve V4 closed
Regulator mis-adjusted
Dip tube plugged
Air supply dead
Leak in dip tube below liquid surface
file i04680
68
Question 67
The compressor automatically shut down last night, tripped by LSHH-231. The control system alarm
log showed a high level alarm LIR-92 about 15 minutes prior to the shutdown:
V-65 P-8
COMPRESSOR INLET SEPARATOR COMPRESSOR
Size 3 5" ID x 12 0" length 50 MSCFH @ 315 deg F disch
DP 450 PSIG and 175 PSID boost pressure
DT 100 deg F FIR
75
FSL
AND
75
Set @
30 MSCFH
FY
HS H 75
TIR PIR
From natural gas 12"x6" I
91 88 89 L
source A-3
Dwg. 38422 PG PT FT PG
Vent stacks 20 above grade 132 74 75 RTD 135
TE TG
M
73 72
From natural gas 12"x6" 12"x8" To gas cooling
source A-2
Dwg. 38422 Dwg. 10921
M
PSV PSV PSV TT
From natural gas 12"x6" 11 12 13 88
source A-1 PG PT 12"x8"
Dwg. 38422 131 89
RTD
Set @ Set @ Set @ TE
405 PSIG 408 PSIG 410 PSIG
88
12" 4" 4" 4" 1/2" 1" 12" Anti-surge
XC XA
76 76
1" V-65 1"

Slope
Slope
ET
ET
I
/P
2" XY
IAS
1"x1/2" 1"x1/2" 76a
2" HHLL = 2 6"
(ESD)
PDT 2" L 1:1

HLL = 1 11"
LSHH LT LG
93 XY
231 92 93 IAS
NLL = 1 4" 76b
2"
LLL = 0 7"
2"
PDSH P
93
Set @ 2" RTD
0.9 PSID
PDIR
H TE TT
2" 232 232
93 LIR H
LIC
H
JAHH JIR
92 92 220 220 PDT
L L
PG 77 PG
FC 134 133
JT
ET ET
220 12" 8"
2"
Rod out
OWS
LV
TSH Set @
92 325 deg F
232
VZE M P-8
221
NDE
SV
RTD
92
RTD
TE
TE 229
IAS VXE VYE 224 VXE VYE VXE VYE
DE 222 223 225 226 227 228
vent
To motor controls
Dwg. 52331 Vibration monitor
ESD
I Bently-Nevada 3300 series
(See dwg. 58209 for wiring details)

HS
230
Identify the likelihood of each specified fault in this process. Consider each fault one at a time (i.e. no
and symptoms in this process.

2-inch line plugged at bottom of separator vessel
LT-92 failed with high output signal
Air supply to solenoid valve shut off
Solenoid vent line plugged
PSV-11 stuck open
LSHH-231 failed with high output signal
file i03475
69
Question 68
A DDC (Direct Digital Control) system used for building automation sends a 4-20 mA control signal to
a steam valve with an electronic positioner. This particular loop has a problem, for the valve remains in the
full-closed (0%) position regardless of what the DDC tries to tell it to do. A technician begins diagnosing
the problem by taking a DC voltage measurement at terminal block TB-10 in this loop circuit:
Air supply
TB-10
cable 41
V A
cable 30 V
OFF
A
A COM
TB-11 DDC system

cable 26 Analog
output
cable 16 Analog
...
output
To other field devices cable 19 Processor
... Analog
input
cable 24 Analog
...
input
The technician knows a reading of 0 volts could indicate either an open fault or a shorted fault
in the wiring. Based on the location of the measured voltage (0.00 VDC), determine where in the wiring
a single open fault would be located (if that is the culprit), and also where in the wiring a short fault
would be located (if that is the culprit).
For the next diagnostic test, the technician disconnects the red wire of cable 41 where it attaches to the
screw terminal on TB-10, and re-measures voltage at TB-10. After disconnecting the wire, the new voltage
measurement at TB-10 reads 24.9 volts. Determine what this result tells us about the nature and location
of the fault.
Explain why it is critically important to determine the identities of the valve and DDC card as being
either electrical sources or electrical loads when interpreting the diagnostic voltage measurements.
Identify some of the pros and cons of this style of testing (measuring voltage at a set of points before
and after a purposeful wiring break) compared to other forms of multimeter testing when looking for
either an open or a shorted wiring fault.
Identify a fault other than open or shorted cables which could account for all the symptoms and
measurements we see in this troubleshooting scenario.
file i00740
70
Question 69
The grades template spreadsheet provided for you on the Y: network drive allows you to calculate
your grade for any course (by entering exam scores, attendance data, etc.) as well as project to the future
for courses you have not yet taken.
Download the spreadsheet file (if you have not done so yet) and enter your scores for courses you have
data for in this quarter.
Also, locate the pages in your course worksheet entitled Sequence of Second-Year Instrumentation
Courses to identify which courses you will need to register for next quarter.
Why do you suppose this spreadsheet is provided to you, rather than the instructor simply posting your
grades or notifying you of your progress in the program courses?
Identify any courses that are elective rather than required for your 2-year AAS degree.
file i04506
Question 70
An ultrasonic level transmitter has a calibrated range of 40 to 75 inches and its output signal range is
4 to 20 mA. Complete the following table of values for this transmitter, assuming perfect calibration (no
error). Be sure to show your work!
Measured level Percent of span Output signal

(inches) (%) (mA)
47
6
75
60
15.1
34
file i00098
Question 71
Identify characteristics of various level-measurement technologies. An important tip is to commit to
memory the operating principle of each instrument type, and then reason from that basis what each types
characteristics will be:
Sightglass
Can it be used to measure the level of both liquid and solid materials?
Can it be used to measure liquid-liquid interfaces?
Does its calibration depend on some fluid property such as density?
Special advantages:
Special disadvantages:
71
Float
Special advantages:
Hydrostatic (DP with direct contact)

Special advantages:
Hydrostatic bubbler (dip tube)

Special advantages:
Displacer
Special advantages:
Ultrasonic
Special advantages:
Non-contact radar
Special advantages:
Guided-wave radar
Special advantages:
72
Magnetostrictive
Special advantages:
Weight (load cells on vessel)

Special advantages:
Capacitive
Special advantages:
Nuclear
Special advantages:
file i03037
Question 72
A potable (drinking) water storage tank requires a high-level alarm to warn operations personnel of
impending overflow conditions. A high-level switch is on order, but until this switch arrives for installation,
you are asked to devise a very simple yet effective high-level indicator device that will function in the interim.
Explain how you would build such a device. Bonus points for devising a method that uses very simple
parts (easily found in a maintenance shop).
file i03592
73
Question 73
Qualitatively sketch the height/volume relationship for a stepped cylindrical vessel:
H
h
Liquid
0
Empty V Full
At which point in the vessels height is the level transmitters calibration most critical? In other words,
where along the height range will a given height-measurement error translate into the greatest volume
measurement error?
file i02926
Question 74
Qualitatively sketch the height/volume relationship for a spherical vessel, such as the type used to store
liquefied butane under pressure:
D h
Liquid h
0
Empty V Full
At which point in the vessels height is the level transmitters calibration most critical? In other words,
where along the height range will a given height-measurement error translate into the greatest volume
measurement error?
file i02925
74
Question 75
Calculate the appropriate LRV and URV pressures for each of these transmitters to measure two different
liquid-liquid interfaces, assuming the span of each transmitter is 10 feet:
Gf = 0.66
10 ft
H L
LT
Gf = 0.90
Gf = 1.9
10 ft
Gf = 1.6
L H
LT
Gf = 1.9
Express your answers in units of inches water column (W.C. or H2 O).

file i03746
75
Question 76
The following storage vessel holds acetone, a liquid with a density of 49.4 lb/ft3 . A pressure transmitter
located 4 feet below the vessel bottom infers acetone level by hydrostatic pressure (head). Determine the
calibration range of this pressure transmitter in order to properly translate the range of vessel level (0 to 14
feet) into an output signal of 4 to 20 mA. Please express the transmitters calibration range in units of kPa.
"Full"
(100% level)
Acetone
14 ft
4-20
mA signal
"Empty"
(0% level)
Pressure
4 ft transmitter
Impulse tube H L
Then, determine the following (assuming the transmitter has been properly calibrated for the
application):
Transmitter output signal (mA) at 5.2 feet of level
Acetone level at 12.7 mA signal output
file i02962
76
Question 77
A bubbler or dip tube system may be used to transfer hydrostatic pressure from within a process
vessel to some location outside the vessel, allowing a pressure-sensing instrument such as a gauge or
transmitter to sense the liquid level inside the vessel without actually contacting the process liquid:
Compressed
air supply
(100 PSI)
needle valve Pressure
regulator
dip
tube
100% Pressure gauge
(senses water
bubbles level remotely)
Measurement
span = 11 ft
Water
0%
If the flow of purge air to the dip tube is slow, such that individual bubbles come out the end of the
tube at a leisurely pace (one or two bubbles per second), the dip tube will function as a sort of pressure
relief device. At such a low flow rate, the air pressure within the dip tube almost exactly equalizes with
the hydrostatic pressure of the liquid at the bottom of the tube. Explain why this is, in your own words.
Also, calculate the amount of pressure seen by the pressure gauge in this bubbler system, given a water
height of 8 feet and 10 inches inside the vessel. Assume the pressure regulator is set to 35 PSI.
file i02954
77
Question 78
A business owns a large storage tank which was used to hold water for fire protection. This tank is
equipped with a pressure gauge at the bottom to infer water level. The face of the gauge reads out in feet
of water rather than PSI or some other common pressure unit:
(vent)
"Full"
(100% level)
30 feet
Pressure
(level)
Water gauge
0 ft 10 ft
"Empty"
(0% level)
30 ft 20 ft
The operation of this level-indicating pressure gauge is quite simple: as the water level changes in the
tank, the amount of hydrostatic pressure generated at the bottom changes proportionally.
When the local municipality upgrades the size of the water supply line to the company property, there
is no longer a need for the fire-water storage tank. Not wanting to abandon the tank, a manager at the
company decides to use it for gasoline fuel storage instead.
After emptying the water and re-filling the tank with gasoline, however, they notice a problem with the
level-indicating gauge: it no longer reads correctly. With gasoline in the tank instead of water, the gauges
reading no longer correlates with tape-measure readings of liquid level like it used to. Instead, the gauge
consistently registers low: there is always more gasoline in the tank than the gauge indicates.
Someone at this company asks you to explain what the problem is, because you have studied
instrumentation technology. Describe the nature of the problem in your own words, and propose a solution
to this problem that does not involve purchasing any new equipment.
If there is actually 10 feet of gasoline in the tank, how many feet with the water-calibrated gauge read?
file i02949
78
Question 79
The level of water in the steam drum of a boiler typically uses a differential pressure transmitter with
a balance line to the top of the drum to equalize static pressure:
Condensate pot
Steam
Pipe or tubing
600 PSI
Differential
4 feet pressure
transmitter
Water
Output
4-20 mA
H L
Pipe or tubing
Since a 600 PSI steam drum operates at a very high temperature, and the transmitters balance line
connecting to the top of the drum will be much cooler than the drum, steam will invariably condense into
water within that line, filling it up until it is completely full of water, making it a wet leg.
Determine whether or not the static steam pressure of 600 PSI necessitates special calibration of the
transmitter.
Describe how the level transmitter must be calibrated differently than if the compensating leg were dry
(no condensate), and also explain the purpose of the condensate pot.
file i00307
79
Question 80
This P&ID shows how two pressure transmitters may be linked with a radar level transmitter to provide
data necessary to calculate not only liquid level, but also liquid density and total liquid mass stored in the
vessel:
LT
14
Radar
PT
14a
UY UIR
14 14
PT
14b
This is sometimes referred to as a hybrid level measurement system. Explain what the word hybrid
means in this context, and how these three transmitters accomplish the measurement objectives of liquid
level, density, and total mass. Also, explain what all the symbols mean in the P&ID.
file i00295
80
Question 81
Calculate the echo times for both the total level (air/oil interface) and oil/water interface in this radar
level measurement application:
Air 2m
=1 Timing diagram
t2
t1
Oil
3.6 m
=5 air/oil oil/water
Reference
pulse
Water
= 80 4m
Also, calculate the power reflection factors for both interfaces (air/oil and oil/water).
file i04218
81
Question 82
A resistive tape level sensor is a two-wire element immersed in a liquid, which changes resistance as
liquid level increases. The principle is the same as placing your rubber-boot-covered foot in a pool of water:
the deeper your foot is submerged, the further up your foot and ankle you feel the waters pressure push
the rubber boot against your skin. A resistive tape stretches the entire height of the vessel, and contact
is made between two resistive wires by the head pressure against the submerged length of the tape. The
greater the liquid level, the further the length that the two wires are in contact with each other, resulting in
less resistance overall.
Examine the following resistive tape level measurement system and calculate the following, assuming a
maximum tape resistance of 10 k (i.e. resistance with zero immersion), a minimum resistance of 2 k (i.e.
resistance with total immersion), a linear relationship between tape immersion and tape resistance, and a
total tape length of 15 feet:
V A
V A
OFF
6.7 k
A COM + 3.5 V

8.1 k
Liquid
Tape resistance (Rtape ) =
Immersion depth =
file i00855
82
Question 83
A level indicator is registering a liquid level that is falsely high. The operator has hand-gauged the
storage vessel with a tape measure and determined the actual level to be 8.2 feet, but the level indicator
(LI) registers 10.1 feet. The calibrated range of the 3-15 PSI pneumatic transmitter is 0 feet to 12 feet. You
measure the pneumatic pressure signal with a test gauge and find that it is 13.1 PSI. Which instrument is
at fault in this system? How do you know?
Indication:
10.1 feet
Vessel 0-12 feet 3-15 PSI
3-15 PSI 0-12 feet
LT LI
Level transmitter Level indicator
Actual level: Measured signal:

8.2 feet 13.1 PSI
Furthermore, identify whether the fault is a zero shift, a span shift, a problem with linearity, hysteresis,
or whether it is impossible to determine from the information we have.
file i02961
83
Question 84
A form of liquid level switch called a tilt switch is often used for detecting sewage level in lift stations
where sewage collected from homes via gravity is pumped out of the collection sump to the wastewater
treatment plant (usually located miles away):
From homes From homes From homes
LSH LSH LSH
Empty Full
LSL LSL LSL
To WWTP To WWTP To WWTP
Pump Pump Pump
Suppose the pump motor refuses to start even with the sump level above the LSH position:
L1 L2
M1 OL
LSL LSH
M1
M1
OL
To 3-phase
motor
AC power
An electrician claims this could be the result of the M1 auxiliary contact (connected in parallel with
the LSH) being failed open. Do you agree? Also, identify at least two other possible causes of the pump not
starting at a high-level condition.
file i00037
84
Question 85
Suppose the voltmeter in this bridge circuit is pegged (i.e. it registers a voltage well beyond its normal
measurement range) with the polarity shown in the diagram. A test using a digital multimeter (DMM) shows
the voltage between test points A and B to be 8 volts:
12 volts
(0.25 amps
current-limited)
E

+
C
R5 1 k
1 k 1 k
R1 R2
A B
Voltmeter
R3 R4
1 k 1 k

R1 failed open
R2 failed open
R3 failed open
R4 failed open
R5 failed open
R1 failed shorted
R2 failed shorted
R3 failed shorted
R4 failed shorted
R5 failed shorted
Voltage source dead
file i02700
85
Question 86
The lever transmitter (LT) in this level control system is hydrostatic; i.e. it senses liquid level in the
vessel based on the hydrostatic pressure exerted by the liquids height in the vessel:
Vessel
LIC
LT
LV
Suppose the density of the liquid within the vessel decreases. What effect will this have on the controlled
liquid level? In other words, what will the liquid level inside the vessel do over time in response to this change
in density? Be sure to explain why the level will be affected (or not affected), not just what will happen to
the level.
file i02960
86
Question 87
Calculate the differential pressure sensed by the level transmitter at three different water levels in this
boiler steam-drum level measurement system: 0%, 50%, and 100%.
Condensate pot
10"
100% level
Steam
40"
Water Output
0% level 4-20 mA
6" H L
Assume a density for (hot) boiler drum water of 49 lb/ft3 , a density for steam in the drum of 1.3 lb/ft3 ,
and a density for (warm) water in the wet leg of 61 lb/ft3 . If the pressure at the low (L) side of the
transmitter is greater than the pressure at the high (H) side, be sure to express the differential pressure
quantity as a negative number.
Transmitter P at 0% water level = W.C.

file i03612
87
Question 88
Examine the following electronic level switch circuit:
+15 V
Relay
R1
Q1
Probe
Grounded metal vessel

Liquid
Identify what kinds of process liquids this level switch would be applicable to, and why. Also, identify
which ladder-logic switch symbol would be appropriate for this particular level switch:
(N.O.) (N.C.)
Qualitatively determine the following component voltage drops in the circuit with low level and with
high level (i.e. write low or high voltage rather than try to calculate actual values):
Component Low-level condition High-level condition

R1
Q1 (between drain and source)
Relay coil
file i00513
88
Question 89
Sketch a circuit whereby this loop-powered pressure transmitter sends a signal to an analog voltage meter
(acting as a remote pressure gauge). Include any necessary power sources and other electronic components
in your completed circuit:
4-20 mA loop-powered
pressure transmitter
1-5 V voltmeter
H L
file i02671
89
Question 90
In this time-delay relay circuit, the motor will immediately start when the pushbutton is pressed, and
continue to run for about 5 seconds after the pushbutton is released. The green light-emitting diode (LED)
is supposed to be on whenever the motor is stopped, and off whenever the motor is running:
TP4
Relay R1 TP6
Pushbutton switch
TP3 TP5
TP1
R2
24 V C1 Mtr LED
TP2 TP9 TP8 TP7
However, a problem has developed with this circuit. The green LED always remains on and the motor
never starts, no matter what is done with the pushbutton switch. Based on this information, determine the
following:
Two components or wires in the circuit that you know cannot be failed either open or shorted, besides
the 24 volt source.
Two components or wires in the circuit you think could possibly be bad (either one independently
capable of causing the problem), and the type of failure each would be (either open or shorted).
file i03169
90
Question 91
Lab Exercise introduction
Your task is to build, document, and troubleshoot a liquid level measurement system consisting of a
pneumatic P transmitter connected to a pneumatic indicator, recorder, or indicating controller. Water
held in a vertical tube is the suggested process variable to measure, but other liquid level variables are open
for consideration, though. Alternatives to the standard level-measurement lab are authorized by instructor
permission only.
Part of this lab exercise is using a liquid manometer as a standard pressure-verification instrument.
Another part is the correct identification of common pipe and tube fittings. A 3-valve or a 5-valve manifold
must be attached to your transmitter for isolation and testing purposes.
The following table of objectives show what you and your team must complete within the scheduled
time for this lab exercise. Note how some of these objectives are individual, while others are for the team as
a whole:
Objective completion table:
Performance objective Grading 1 2 3 4 Team

Prototype sketch (before building the system!) mastery
Circuit design challenge mastery
Final loop diagram and system inspection mastery
Loop ranging ( 1% of span accuracy) mastery
Manometer usage mastery
Troubleshooting (3 minute limit) mastery
Pipe and tube fitting identification mastery
Lab question: Instrument connections proportional
Lab question: Commissioning proportional
Lab question: Mental math proportional
Lab question: Diagnostics proportional
Decommission and lab clean-up mastery
The only proportional scoring in this activity are the lab questions, which are answered by each student
individually. A listing of potential lab questions are shown at the end of this worksheet question. The lab
questions are intended to guide your labwork as much as they are intended to measure your comprehension,
and as such the instructor may ask these questions of your team day by day, rather than all at once (on a
single day).
It is essential that your team plans ahead what to accomplish each day. A short (10
minute) team meeting at the beginning of each lab session is a good way to do this, reviewing
whats already been done, whats left to do, and what assessments you should be ready for.
There is a lot of work involved with building, documenting, and troubleshooting these working
instrument systems!
As you and your team work on this system, you will invariably encounter problems. You should always
attempt to solve these problems as a team before requesting instructor assistance. If you still require
instructor assistance, write your teams color on the lab whiteboard with a brief description of what you
need help on. The instructor will meet with each team in order they appear on the whiteboard to address
these problems.
Cut out tag(s) with scissors, then affix to instrument(s) using transparent tape to show calibration:
CALIBRATED CALIBRATED CALIBRATED CALIBRATED

By: Date: By: Date: By: Date: By: Date:
Range: Range: Range: Range:
91
Lab Exercise selecting components and planning the system
One of the most common problems students encounter when building any working system, whether it be
a circuit on a solderless breadboard or an instrument loop spanning an entire room, is properly connecting and
configuring all components. An unfortunate tendency among most students is to simply start connecting
parts together, essentially designing the system as they go. This usually leads to improperly-connected
components and non-functioning systems, sometimes with the result of destroying components due to those
improper connections!
An alternative approach is to plan ahead by designing the system before constructing it. This is easily
done by sketching a diagram showing how all the components should interconnect, then analyzing that
diagram and making changes before connecting anything together. When done as a team, this step ensures
everyone is aware of how the system should work, and how it should go together. The resulting prototype
diagram need not be complex in detail, but it should be detailed enough for anyone to see which component
terminals (and ports) connect to terminals and ports of other devices in the system. For example, your
teams prototype sketch should be clear enough to determine all DC electrical components will have the
correct polarities. If your proposed system contains a significant amount of plumbing (pipes and tubes),
your prototype sketch should show all those connections as well.
Your first step should be selecting proper field instruments from the instrument storage area to use in
building your system. In this particular lab, you are looking for a pneumatic P transmitter ideally a
Foxboro model 13A and a valve manifold to isolate that transmitter from the hydrostatic pressure of
the liquid column. Refer to the Valve manifolds subsection of Lessons In Industrial Instrumentation for
more detail on what these manifolds look like and how they are used. You should choose a transmitter with
a pressure range somewhere between 10 inches and 200 inches water column. Avoid low-range (draft)
transmitters with ranges of just a few inches of water column, and also high-pressure transmitters ranged
for hundreds or thousands of PSI.
The next step should be finding appropriate documentation for your pressure transmitter. Nearly
every instrument in the lab is documented electronically at the manufacturers website, so your best
resource is the Internet (and/or your Instrumentation Reference where a variety of instrument manuals
have been downloaded for you). Use this documentation to identify how to properly connect and calibrate
the transmitter. Your instructor will check to see you have located and are familiar with the equipment
manual(s).
After locating a suitable instrument and its associated documentation, you should qualitatively test it
prior to installing it in your system. For a pneumatic pressure transmitter, this entails applying a low air
pressure (blowing air using your mouth is usually adequate) to the high pressure port and measuring the
transmitters 3-15 PSI pneumatic output signal to see if it responds to the application of pressure. If the
transmitter fails to respond properly, tag it with a label explaining what it does (or what it fails to do).
For an indicator, you should use a receiver gauge designed to input a 3-15 PSI pressure signal, or a
pneumatic controller (using the PV indicator). Remember, this is a pneumatic system, and as such all
signals are actually air pressures, not electrical currents!
Your teams prototype sketch is so important that the instructor will demand you provide this plan
before any construction on your teams working system begins. Any team found constructing their system
without a verified plan will be ordered to cease construction and not resume until a prototype plan has been
drafted and approved! Each member on the team should have ready access to this plan (ideally possessing
their own copy of the plan) throughout the construction process. Prototype design sketching is a skill and
a habit you should cultivate in school and take with you in your new career.
Planning a functioning system should take no more than an hour if the team is working
efficiently, and will save you hours of frustration (and possible component destruction!).
92
Lab Exercise circuit design challenge
Connect a loop-powered smart differential pressure transmitter (4-20 mA output with HART
communication ability) to a DC voltage source and a meter such that the meter will indicate a increasing
signal when a certain stimulus is applied to the transmitter, setting the transmitters pressure measurement
range as specified by the instructor. All electrical connections must be made using a terminal strip (no
twisted wires, crimp splices, wire nuts, spring clips, or alligator clips permitted). You are expected to
supply your own tools and multimeter.
This exercise tests your ability to navigate a smart instruments parameters using a communicator as
well as properly interpret terminal connections on a field instrument for signal and power.
HART communicator
Differential Meter
pressure
transmitter
(w/ HART)
Resistor
+ - + -
H L
Terminal strip - +
Batteries
The following components and materials will be available to you: assorted 2-wire 4-20 mA differential
pressure transmitters calibrated to ranges 0-30 PSI or less, equipped with Swagelok compression tube
connectors at the high and low ports ; lengths of plastic tube with ferrules pre-swaged ; terminal
strips ; lengths of hook-up wire ; 250 (or approximate) resistors ; analog meters ; battery clips
(holders); HART communicator.
Transmitter range (instructor chooses): LRV = URV =
Meter options (instructor chooses): Voltmeter (1-5 VDC) or Ammeter (4-20 mA)
Signal increases with... (instructor chooses): Positive pressure or Vacuum (suction)
Study reference: the Analog Electronic Instrumentation chapter of Lessons In Industrial

Instrumentation, particularly the sections on loop-powered transmitters and current loop troubleshooting.
Also, the Basic Concept of HART subsection of the The HART Digital/Analog Hybrid Standard section
of the Digital Data Acquisition and Networks chapter of the same book.
93
Lab Exercise building the system
After getting your prototype sketch approved by the instructor, you are cleared to begin building your
system. Transmitters attach to 2-inch pipes using special brackets and U-bolts. These brackets and U-bolts
are located along with the transmitters in the instrument storage area. Feel free to use 1/4 inch plastic
tubing for all the pneumatic signal connections, and be sure not to exceed the rated supply pressure (as
documented in the transmitters manual).
Finally, your pressure-measurement system needs to have a loop number, so all instruments may be
properly labeled. This loop number needs to be unique, so that another team does not label their instruments
and tubes the same as yours. One way to make your loop number unique is to use the equivalent resistor
color-code value for your teams color in the loop number. For example, if you are the Red team, your
loop number could be 2.
Common mistakes:
Neglecting to consult the manufacturers documentation for field instruments (e.g. how to connect
pneumatic signal lines, how to calibrate them).
Mounting the field instrument(s) in awkward positions, making it difficult to reach tube connectors or
to remove covers when installed.
Improper pipe/tube fitting installation (e.g. trying to thread tube fittings into pipe fittings and vice-
versa).
Over-tightening tube fittings (remember, no more than 1-1/4 turns when assembling, and no more than
snug when re-making the connection!).
Students working on portions of the system in isolation, not sharing with their teammates what they
did and how. It is important that the whole team learns all aspects of their system!
94
It is relatively easy to construct a process vessel for measuring water level in, by using inexpensive
PVC plastic piping and fittings:
90o elbow
Tee fitting tube fitting
Tape marking URV
PVC pipe
Clear plastic tube
(sightglass)
Bleed fitting on top

(for bleeding air bubbles)
Tape marking LRV
Tee fitting
suppression
H L
Drain valve "Run" tee

tube fitting
Water is poured in the top, through the open tee fitting, and is drained through a valve at the bottom
(preferably a 1/4 turn ball valve).
Even with an instrument valve manifold on the P transmitter, a shutoff valve is advisable between the
process vessel connection and the transmitter to facilitate removal of the transmitter and manifold without
having to drain the vessel.
Note: The Foxboro model 13 and 15 pneumatic transmitters cannot handle large suppression values
without the addition of a special suppression kit spring and screw adjustment to the transmitter
mechanism. When using the stock zero-adjust screw to account for suppression (the degree to which the
transmitters tube connection is below the LRV height on the vessel), be sure to position the transmitter so
that the suppression is a small percentage of the measurement span.
Building a functioning system should take no more than one full lab session (3 hours) if
all components are readily available and the team is working efficiently!
95
Lab Exercise documenting the system
Each student must sketch their own loop diagram for their teams system, following proper ISA
conventions. Sample loop diagrams are shown in the next question in this worksheet. These loop diagrams
must be comprehensive and detailed, showing every tube connection, every tube, range points, etc. The
principle to keep in mind here is to make the loop diagram so complete and unambiguous that anyone can
follow it to see what connects to what, even someone unfamiliar with industrial instrumentation. In industry,
loops are often constructed by contract personnel with limited understanding of how the system is supposed
to function. The loop diagrams they follow must be so complete that they will be able to connect everything
properly without necessarily understanding how it is supposed to work.
Every instrument and every signal tube in your loop needs to be properly labeled with an ISA-standard
tag number. An easy way to do this is to wrap a short piece of masking tape around each tube (and placed
on each instrument) then writing on that masking tape with a permanent marker. Although no industry
standard exists for labeling signal tubes, a good recommendation is to label each tube with the tag number
of the field instrument it goes to. Thus, every length of tube in a pressure transmitter loop should be
labeled PT-x (where x is the loop number), every flow control valve should be labeled FV-x, etc.
Remember that the entire loop is defined by the process variable it measures: if the PV is temperature then
the transmitter with be a TT, the control valve will be a TV, the controller with be a TC, etc.
When your entire team is finished drafting your individual loop diagrams, call the instructor to do an
inspection of the loop. Here, the instructor will have students take turns going through the entire loop,
with the other students checking their diagrams for errors and omissions along the way. During this time
the instructor will also inspect the quality of the installation, identifying problems such as frayed wires,
improperly crimped terminals, poor cable routing, missing labels, lack of wire duct covers, etc. The team
must correct all identified errors in order to receive credit for their system.
After successfully passing the inspection, each team member needs to place their loop diagram in the
diagram holder located in the middle of the lab behind the main control panel. When it comes time to
troubleshoot another teams system, this is where you will go to find a loop diagram for that system!
Common mistakes:
Forgetting to label all signal tubes (see example loop diagrams).
Forgetting to label all field instruments with their own tag names (e.g. LT-83).
Forgetting to put your name on the loop diagram!
Basing your diagram off of a team-mates diagram, rather than closely inspecting the system for yourself.
Not placing loop sheet instruments in the correct orientation (field instruments on the left, control room
instruments on the right).
Creating and inspecting accurate loop diagrams should take no more than one full lab
session (3 hours) if the team is working efficiently!
96
Lab Exercise instrument calibration
Each student must calibrate their transmitter for a unique level measurement range, the LRV and URV
points determined by the instructor (pieces of tape or zip-ties placed on the process vessel sightglass). As in
all cases where an instrument must be calibrated, you will need to check the instruments response against
one or more standards. In this case, the ideal standard to use for setting the input (inches of water column
pressure) to the transmitter is a manometer, and the ideal standard to use for measuring the transmitters
pneumatic output signal is a precision test gauge (either mechanical or electronic):
Typical calibration setup for a pneumatic pressure transmitter
Pressure regulator
20 PSI
Precision (Output standard)
Compressed In Out test gauge
air supply
Supply Out 3-15 PSI

Out In
Low-range H L Manometer
(Input standard)
pressure regulator
(Alternative: use a hand air pump
to generate low pressures rather
than a precision regulator)
Block valve Vent valve

(An alternative to installing separate block and vent valves
is to calibrate the transmitter with a 3-valve manifold connected,
using the manifold to alternately block and vent the transmitter
as you perform the repeated zero and span adjustments)
Read the Zero and Span Adjustments (Analog Instruments) section of Lessons In Industrial
Instrumentation for more details on calibrating analog devices. Note that the zero and span screw
adjustments on pneumatic transmitters are interactive: adjusting the span will affect the zero, necessitating
a lot of back-and-forth applications of LRV and URV, zero screw turning and span screw turning.
It is strongly recommended that you carefully measure the span of the level measurement range with a
tape measure and calibrate your transmitters span on the calibration bench as accurately as you can with
a zero-based range (e.g. if the span is 35.1 inches, calibrate for a range of 0 to 35.1 inches), then field-set
the transmitters zero adjustment so that its output matches the actual level in the vessel (e.g. with an
offset of 3.25 inches, that transmitters range will now be 3.25 to 38.35 inches). This procedure avoids the
problem of trying to accurately measure the transmitters zero offset (suppression) with a tape measure and
wasting time on the bench adjusting the calibration pressure back and forth between two non-zero values as
you repeat zero and span adjustments. It also teaches the very practical concept of field-setting the zero of
a transmitter.
Caution: the zero-adjust screw on the Foxboro pneumatic transmitter is quite delicate,
and may easily be ruined if overtorqued. Be especially careful not to turn the screw too far
counter-clockwise and back it out of the nut, because it often cross-threads when subsequently
turned the other way. The simplest way to avoid problems here is to observe the zero screw
and spring as you adjust it, making sure you do not over-compress the spring and/or back the
screw out of the nut.
97
Document the accuracy of your transmitters calibration before and after adjustment in this table, at
five different points throughout its sensing range. The Applied pressure is the amount of air pressure
you apply to the transmitters pressure port using an air pressure regulator (as sensed by a manometer) to
simulate the hydrostatic pressure generated by a vertical liquid column, and the Indicated signal is the
amount of air pressure output by the transmitter (the 3-15 PSI range):
Applied pressure Output signal pressure (As-Found) Output signal pressure (As-left)
When finished calibrating your transmitter, be sure to place a calibration tag on it showing the range
and the date it was calibrated. The first page of this lab exercise has cut-out calibration tags you may tape
to the transmitter for this purpose.
The accuracy of your calibration will be checked by the instructor, filling and emptying your process
vessel while checking the receiver gauge to make sure it reads 0% at the LRV level and 100% at the URV
level.
Common mistakes:
Applying excessive air pressure to a manometer, and blowing all the liquid out of it (when using a
regulator as the calibration air pressure source)!
Applying excessive force to transmitter adjustments. This is a delicate mechanism! As such, it should
not require forceful adjustment!! If you have to force something, youre probably doing it wrong.
Improper supply air pressure to the transmitter (see the manual for supply air pressure specifications)
Failing to closely inspect pressure regulators before connecting them to an air source (e.g. connecting
the air supply to the out port)
Improper pipe/tube fitting installation (e.g. trying to thread tube fittings into pipe fittings and vice-
versa).
Poor tube connections, leading to air leaks which compromise the accuracy of the system.
Neglecting to place a calibration tag on the transmitter after calibrating it.
Forgetting to bleed all air out of the impulse line and transmitter body when installing the transmitter
at the liquid process vessel (this will cause zero- and span-shift errors).
98
Lab Exercise pipe and tube fitting identification
Part of this lab exercise is to properly identify the following types of pipe and instrument tube fittings
from memory (without the aid of a pictorial reference). Note that synonyms are separated by slash marks
(e.g. street/run):
Pipe fittings
Thread sizes: 1/8 inch NPT, 1/4 inch NPT, 3/8 inch NPT, and 1/2 inch NPT
Fitting type: tee (female, branch, and street/run)
Fitting type: elbow (female 45o , female 90o , and street)
Fitting type: cross
Fitting type: nipple
Fitting type: coupling
Fitting type: reducing coupling
Fitting type: reducing bushing
Fitting type: reducing adapter/expander
Fitting type: union
Fitting type: cap
Fitting type: plug
Fitting type: flange
Instrument tube fittings

Tube sizes: 1/8 inch, 1/4 inch, 3/8 inch, and 1/2 inch
Fitting components: nut and ferrule(s)
Fitting type: straight connector (male and female)
Fitting type: elbow connector (male and female)
Fitting type: union (straight and reducing)
Fitting type: tee (union, branch, run)
Fitting type: union elbow
Fitting type: union cross
Fitting type: bulkhead union
Fitting type: cap
Fitting type: plug
A good way to prepare for this assessment is by working together as a team to identify random fittings in
the pipe/tube drawers while referencing a manual such as the Parker and Swagelok fitting manuals contained
in your Instrumentation reference. The aspect of this assessment students find most challenging is identifying
pipe thread sizes by sight. Some black-iron pipe fittings have the fractional size (e.g. 1/2, 3/8, 1/2) cast
into the fitting itself, which is probably your best guide to learning these thread sizes.
In order to make this a practical as well as educational exercise, your team will identify
different tube and pipe fittings while cleaning up and re-organizing the tube and pipe fitting
collections in the lab.
99
Lab Exercise troubleshooting
The most challenging aspect of this lab exercise is troubleshooting, where you demonstrate your ability
to logically isolate a problem in the system. All troubleshooting is done on an individual basis (no team
credit!), and must be done on a system you did not help build, so that you must rely on loop diagrams to
find your way around the system instead of from your own memory of building it.
Each student is given 3 minutes to identify both the general location and nature of the fault, logically
justifying all diagnostic steps taken. All troubleshooting activities will take place under direct instructor
supervision to ensure students are working independently and efficiently.
Failure to correctly identify both the general location and nature of the fault within the allotted time,
and/or failing to demonstrate rational diagnostic procedure to the supervising instructor will disqualify the
effort, in which case the student must re-try with a different fault. Multiple re-tries are permitted with no
reduction in grade.
The instructor will review each troubleshooting effort after completion, highlighting good and bad points
for the purpose of learning. Troubleshooting is a skill born of practice and failure, so do not be disappointed
in yourself if you must make multiple attempts to pass! One of the important life-lessons embedded in this
activity is how to deal with failure, because it will eventually happen to you on the job! There is no dishonor
in failing to properly diagnose a fault after doing your level best. The only dishonor is in taking shortcuts
or in giving up.
Common mistakes:
Neglecting to observe pressure gauge indications.
Neglecting to use the three-valve manifold to perform diagnostic tests (e.g. block and equalize the
transmitter to see whether or not its output pressure changes as input pressure is removed).
Neglecting to stimulate the flapper/nozzle mechanism as a diagnostic test, or stimulating it without
observing the receiver gauge response.
Remember that the purpose of the troubleshooting exercise is to foster and assess your
ability to intelligently diagnose a complex system. Finding the fault by luck, or by trial-
and-error inspection, is not a successful demonstration of skill. The only thing that counts as
competence is your demonstrated ability to logically analyze and isolate the problem, correctly
explaining all your steps!
Troubleshooting takes a lot of lab time, usually at least two 3-hour lab sessions for everyone
in a full class to successfully pass. Be sure your team budgets for this amount of time as you
plan your work, and also be sure to take advantage of your freedom to observe others as they
troubleshoot, to better learn this art.
100
Lab questions
Instrument connections
Determine correct tube connections between instruments to create a working 3-15 PSI pneumatic loop,
based on diagrams of instruments with ports labeled
Commissioning and Documentation

Explain the operating principle of your pressure transmitter in as much detail as possible
Explain in detail how the zero adjustment on your transmitter functions; in other words, what is going
on mechanically inside the transmitter as this adjustment is turned
Explain in detail how the span adjustment on your transmitter functions; in other words, what is going
on mechanically inside the transmitter as this adjustment is turned
Identify the process bleed (vent) fittings on your pressure transmitter, and explain the significance
of locating them in either a high or a low elevation on the flange of your transmitter
Identify and explain elevation and suppression as these terms apply to liquid level measurement
using a P gauge or transmitter
Mental math (no calculator allowed!)

Calculate the correct pneumatic signal pressure (PSI) given a pressure transmitter calibration range
and an applied pressure
Calculate the pressure applied to a transmitter given a calibration range and the measured pneumatic
signal pressure value
Calculate the percentage of span error for a transmitter given a calibration range and an As-Found
calibration table
Calculate the allowable level error for a transmitter given an allowable percentage of span error and a
calibration range
Convert between different pressure units, without relying on the use of a reference for conversion factors
(i.e. you must commit the major conversion factors to memory)
Diagnostics
Determine whether or not a given diagnostic test will provide useful information, given a set of symptoms
exhibited by a failed system
Identify at least two plausible faults given the results of a diagnostic test and a set of symptoms exhibited
by a failed system
Propose a diagnostic test for troubleshooting a failed system and then explain the meanings of two
different test results
101
Lab Exercise decommissioning and clean-up
The final step of this lab exercise is to decommission your teams entire system and re-stock certain
components back to their proper storage locations, the purpose of which being to prepare the lab for the
next lab exercise. Remove your system documentation (e.g. loop diagram) from the common holding area,
either discarding it or keeping it for your own records. Also, remove instrument tag labels (e.g. FT-101)
from instruments and from cables. Perform general clean-up of your lab space, disposing of all trash, placing
all tools back in their proper storage locations, sweeping up bits of wire off the floor and out of junction
boxes, etc.
There are several steps you must follow in the decommissioning of the pneumatic DP
transmitters:
Drain all water from transmitters before shelving them
Remove all mounting brackets from transmitters before shelving them
Remove all valve manifolds from transmitters before shelving them
Attach protective covers to all transmitters before shelving them
Cap all compression-style fittings so threads wont get damaged in storage
Leave the following components in place, mounted on the racks:

Large control valves and positioners
I/P transducers
Large electric motors
Large variable-frequency drive (VFD) units
Cables inside conduit interconnecting junction boxes together
Pipe and tube fittings (do not unscrew pipe threads)
Supply air pressure regulators
Return the following components to their proper storage locations:

Sensing elements (e.g. thermocouples, pH probes, etc.)
Process transmitters
Jumper cables used to connect terminal blocks within a single junction box
Plastic tubing and tube fittings (disconnect compression-style tube fittings)
Power cables and extension cords
Adjustment (loading station) air pressure regulators
Finally, you shall return any control system components to their original (factory default) configurations.
This includes controller PID settings, function block programs, input signal ranges, etc.
file i00123
102
Question 92
The Rules of Fault Club
(1) Dont try to find the fault by looking for it perform diagnostic tests instead
(2) Dont try to find the fault by looking for it perform diagnostic tests instead!
(3) The troubleshooting is over when you have correctly identified the nature and location of the fault
(4) Its just you and the fault dont ask for help until you have exhausted your resources
(5) Assume one fault at a time, unless the data proves otherwise
(6) No new components allowed replacing suspected bad components with new is a waste of time and
money
(7) We will practice as many times as we have to until you master this
(8) Troubleshooting is not a spectator sport: you have to troubleshoot!
These rules are guaranteed to help you become a better troubleshooter, and will be consistently
emphasized by your instructor.
103
Loop diagram template
104 Loop Diagram: Revised by: Date:
Tag # Description Manufacturer Model Input range Output range Notes

Loop diagram requirements
Perhaps the most important rule to follow when drafting a loop diagram is your diagram should be
complete and detailed enough that even someone who is not an instrument technician could understand
where every wire and tube should connect in the system!
Instrument bubbles
Proper symbols and designations used for all instruments.
All instrument bubbles properly labeled (letter codes and loop numbers).
All instrument bubbles marked with the proper lines (solid line, dashed line, single line, double lines,
no lines).
Optional: Calibration ranges and action arrows written next to each bubble.
Text descriptions
Each instrument documented below (tag number, description, etc.).
Calibration (input and output ranges) given for each instrument, as applicable.
Connection points
All terminals and tube junctions properly labeled.
All terminal blocks properly labeled.
All junction (field) boxes shown as distinct sections of the loop diagram, and properly labeled.
All control panels shown as distinct sections of the loop diagram, and properly labeled.
All wire colors shown next to each terminal.
All terminals on instruments labeled as they appear on the instrument (so that anyone reading the
diagram will know which instrument terminal each wire goes to).
Cables and tubes

Single-pair cables or pneumatic tubes going to individual instruments should be labeled with the field
instrument tag number (e.g. TT-8 or TY-12)
Multi-pair cables or pneumatic tube bundles going between junction boxes and/or panels need to have
unique numbers (e.g. Cable 10) as well as numbers for each pair (e.g. Pair 1, Pair 2, etc.).
Energy sources
All power source intensities labeled (e.g. 24 VDC, 120 VAC, 20 PSI)
All shutoff points labeled (e.g. Breaker #5, Valve #7)
105
Sample Loop Diagram (using a single-loop controller)
Loop Diagram: Furnace temperature control Revised by: Mason Neilan Date: April 1, 2007
Field panel Control room panel
Process area JB-12 CP-1
0-1500oF 0-1500oF
TE TB-15 TB-11
205 Yel Red Red Wht/Blu Wht/Blu Red Red
1 TT 3 1 7
205
Cable TT-205 Cable 3, Pr 1 Cable TT-205 Blk
Red
2 Blk Blk
4 Blu Blu
2 Blk
22 TIC
21 205
TY Red
205a
19
Blk
I
TB-15 TB-11 18
/P
Red Red Wht/Org Wht/Org Red Blk
TY 5 3 H
Out Cable TY-205b Cable 3, Pr 2 Cable TY-205b Wht
Tube TV-205
205b 6 4 N
Blk Blk Org Org Blk
106
S
TV
205 ES 120 VAC
AS 20 PSI Breaker #4
Valve #15 Panel L2
Column #8

TE-205 Thermocouple Omega Type K Ungrounded tip
TT-205 Temperature transmitter Rosemount 444 0-1500o F 4-20 mA Upscale burnout
TY-205a Resistor Vishay 250
TIC-205 Controller Siemens PAC 353 1-5 V 0-1500o F Reverse-acting control
TY-205b I/P transducer Fisher 546 4-20 mA 3-15 PSI
TV-205 Control valve Fisher Easy-E 3-15 PSI 0-100% Fail-closed
Sample Loop Diagram (using DCS controller)
Loop Diagram: Blue team pressure loop Revised by: Duncan D.V. Date: April 1, 2009
Field process area Field panel JB-25 DCS cabinet
0-50 PSI
TB-52 TB-80 Card 4
Red Red Red Red Red Red Channel 6
H PT 1 11 11
Cable PT-6
PT-73 Cable 4, Pr 1 Cable PT-6
PT-73
Analog
L 73
6 2 12 12
Blk Blk Blk Blk Blk Blk input
Tube
Tube PV-73
PV-6 0-50 PSI
PIC
6
73
107
PV
73
6
I O TB-52 TB-80 Card 6
/P
Red Red Red Red Red Red Channel 6
PY 15 29 11
Cable PV-6
PV-73 Cable 4, Pr 8 Cable PV-73
PV-6
Analog
73
6 16 30 12
Blk Blk Blk Blk Blk Blk output
S
AS 20 PSI
PT-73
PT-6 Pressure transmitter Rosemount 3051CD 0-50 PSI 4-20 mA
HART-enabled input
PIC-73
PIC-6 Controller Emerson DeltaV 4-20 mA 4-20 mA Direct-acting control
PY-73
PY-6 I/P transducer Fisher 846 4-20 mA 3-15 PSI
PV-73
PV-6 Control valve Fisher Vee-ball 3-15 PSI 0-100% Fail-open
Sample Loop Diagram (using pneumatic controller)
Loop Diagram: Sludge tank level control Revised by: I. Leaky Date: April 1, 2008
Bulkhead panel
Process area Control panel CP-11
B-104
H Tube LT-24a Tube LT-24b

LT Out 14
L 24
(vent) In
C
Supply
LIC
A.S. 21 PSI
24
Tube LV-24 D
LV
A.S. 21 PSI
24
108
Tube LV-24 Tube LV-24

LT-24 Level transmitter Foxboro 13A 25-150 "H2O 3-15 PSI
LIC-24 Controller Foxboro 130 3-15 PSI 3-15 PSI
LV-24 Control valve Fisher Easy-E / 667 3-15 PSI 0-100% Fail closed
Sample Loop Diagram (using PLC, with electronic positioner installed on valve)
Loop Diagram: Unit feed flow control Revised by: A. Bradley Date: April 1, 2013
Process area Field panel FP-25
Red Red Blu Blu Blu

H FT 21 10 800 mA
PS-1
Cable FT-18 24 VDC
Blk Blk Blu 1 amp
L 18 22 Blu 120 VAC
Blu
0-75 GPM IN0+ L1 N
IN0- Blk Wht Grn
IN1+
IN1-
IN2+
IN2-
IN3+
IN3- 1762-IF4
A
analog input card
Red Red Blu expansion slot 1
Loop
11 FC
L2/N
P Cable FV-18
109
Blk Blk Blu

Loop
12 Blu V out 0 18
I out 0 L1
Supply
IAS 20 PSI V out 1
I out 1 Ethernet
1A
1A
V out 2
I out 2 FIR 1 2 3 4
FV I out 3
V out 3 18
(Located in main Blk Wht Grn
18 Blu control room)
Com
ES 120 VAC
1762-OF4
Com analog output
input card
card From field
expansion slot 2 panel disconnect
Tag number Description Manufacturer Model Calibration Notes
0-100" WC input
FT-18 Flow transmitter Rosemount 3051S 4-20 mA output
Square-root characterization
1762-IF4 input 4-20 mA IP = 169.254.10.9
FC-18 PLC Allen-Bradley ML1100 1762-OF4 output 4-20 mA Mask = 255.255.0.0
FIR-18 HMI touch-panel AutomationDirect C-More

ED / 667 4 mA = fully closed
FV-18 Flow valve with positioner Fisher DVC6010 20 mA = fully open Fail-closed
file i00654
110
Answers
Answer 1
Answer 2
Answer 3
Answer 4
Answer 5
Partial answer:
Ultrasonic level, bottom-mounted: vwater matters, vair does not
GWR level: vair matters, vwater does not
The velocity of propagation for sound waves varies with the density of the medium and also its bulk
modulus. The velocity of propagation for radio waves varies with permittivity. In both cases, changes in
pressure and temperature affect these factors, thereby affecting the velocity of propagation.
Answer 6
Caveat emptor! (Latin for buyer beware)
Answer 7
Partial answer:
Pref lected = 63.45%
Ullage = 1.676 meters
Answer 8
Answer 9
Pref lected = 26.15%
Pf orward = 73.85%
Ullage = 8 feet 4.7 inches
Fillage = 21 feet 7.3 inches
(Note: the velocity of light used in the ullage and fillage calculations is 2.9979 108 meters per second)
The 35 PSI gas pressure is extraneous information, included for the purpose of challenging students to
identify whether or not information is relevant to solving a particular problem. Gas pressure is relevant for a
radar level instrument only because changes in gas pressure can cause the gas permittivity to change as well,
thus influencing the radio waves propagation velocity. However, since we are already given the permittivity
value of the gas in this situation, the pressure is irrelevant.
Answer 10
R 28.8%
111
Answer 11
Pref lected = 20.38 %
Pf orward = 79.62 %
Ullage = 8.366 ft
Answer 12
t (at 1 atm) = 10.96 nanoseconds
t (at 3 atm) = 12.66 nanoseconds
Answer 13
x1 = 1.328 m
x2 = 4.630 m
Answer 14
t1 = 6.67 ns
t2 = 46.5 ns
Answer 15
x1 = 1.27 m
x2 = 1.23 m
x3 = 1.82 m
Answer 16
Vertical measurement span = 2 feet 8 inches
Answer 17
Lower range-values (LRV): 0 PSI input = 3 PSI output
Upper range-values (URV): 11.98 PSI input = 15 PSI output
Transmitter output signal (PSI) at 19 feet of level = 10.6 PSI

Liquid level at 12.4 PSI signal output = 23.5 feet
The 71 o F liquid temperature is extraneous information, included for the purpose of challenging students
to identify whether or not information is relevant to solving a particular problem. Liquid temperature is
relevant for a level instrument only because changes in temperature can cause the liquid density to change
as well, thus influencing the proportionality between liquid height and hydrostatic pressure. However, since
we are already given the density of the liquid in this situation, the temperature is irrelevant.
Answer 18
The transmitter is at fault, not the indicator.
Answer 19
112
Answer 20
Answer 21
Answer 22
Answer 23
Answer 24
Liquid level = 5 feet 10.5 inches from bottom of tank
Answer 25
Answer 26
Answer 27
Answer 28
That first step was good because a wrong density could explain a false reading on both LT-38a and
LT-38b.
Answer 29
Answer 30
LRV = +173.7 H2 O URV = +94.76 H2 O
The temperature and static pressure values are extraneous information, included for the purpose of
challenging students to identify whether or not information is relevant to solving a particular problem.
Answer 31
The blocks volume is 1.602 ft3 . Its density is 312.14 lb/ft3 or 5 g/cm3 .

Wdry
Dblock = Dliquid
Wdry Wwet
113
Answer 32
Tape and Float Radar Ultrasonic
LI LI LI
RADAR US
Laser Resistive tape Capacitive probe
LI LI LI
LASER
R TAPE CA
114
Nuclear radiation
LX LI
R
Answer 33
The level in the pool remains the same, because the water displaced by the inflatable cushion is the
amount of water equal in weight to the cushion plus the person plus the cup plus the water in the cup.
Spilling that cup-worth of water in the pool lightens the weight on the cushion which makes it displace
less water, but this reduced displacement is precisely equal to the amount of water spilled into the pool.
Therefore, there will be no change whatsoever in the pools level.
Answer 34
The level in the pool will decrease, because the water displaced by the inflatable cushion is the amount
of water equal in weight to the cushion plus the person plus the bowling ball. Dropping the bowling ball into
the pool lightens the weight on the cushion which makes it displace less water. The bowling ball will only
displace as much water as its volume, which is less water than what it weighs. Therefore, the total amount
of displaced water will decrease and the pools level will correspondingly decrease.
Answer 35
There will be no change in instrument indication resulting from a density change of the acid. Only the
vapor density above the liquid affects the speed of sound, which is the primary non-level variable affecting
level measurement.
Answer 36
There will be no change in instrument indication resulting from a density change of the alcohol, so long
as the liquid remains denser than the float. The buoyancy of the float will be slightly affected by the liquids
density, but not much.
Answer 37
The first thing you should try to do is verify whether or not there is a real low-level condition in the
tank. If so, a danger exists in that the sump pumps may become damaged by running dry, and the pumps
should be manually turned off. If not, its a matter of determining why the level control system thinks a
high-level condition exists.
Answer 38
Answer 39
Answer 40
Answer 41
115
Answer 42
Ill let you figure out the solution to this!
Answer 43
Be sure to review the operation of this simple motor start-stop circuit in your answer!
Answer 44
Answer 45
Answer 46
The normal condition for a process switch is the condition of least stimulus. For example:
A pressure switch will be in its normal state when there is minimum pressure applied
A level switch will be in its normal state when there is no level detected by the switch
A temperature switch will be in its normal state when it is cold
A flow switch will be in its normal state when there is no flow detected by the switch
Answer 47
You may not find direct answers given for each of these switch types in reference manuals or textbooks
thats to be expected. The point of this exercise is to reason through the operating principle of each to
determine whether or not it might be able to detect liquids or solids.
Answer 48
Answer 49
These switches use an electronic circuit to vibrate the rod or paddle, then trigger their output signal
upon sensing the dampening of that vibration caused by the presence of liquid or solid immersion.
Potential problems include:
angle of repose
LS
dead stock
LS
116
Answer 50
Level is detected when the paddle (or motor) torque exceeds a pre-set limit.
Potential problems include paddle fouling and seized paddle shaft bearings.
Answer 51
Some nuclear level switches work by sensing the blockage of radiation due to process level, others by
the backscattering (reflection) of radiation by the process level. Delayed coker drum level detection (in
the oil refining industry) is one notable application of the latter technique, where hydrocarbons property of
reflecting neutron radiation more than other substances is the primary detection characteristic.
Answer 52
LRV = +4.42 PSI URV = +1.74 PSI
A fill fluid of lesser density would apply less hydrostatic pressure to the high side of the transmitter,
making the transmitter think there was a greater level of process liquid in the vessel. This would be a
shift in the level measurement systems zero only. This change would neither affect span nor linearity.
Specifically, the zero shift would be equivalent to 1.62 feet of level in the vessel!
Answer 53
Connect a pressure gauge to any accessible port near the bottom of the vessel, and hand-sketch a level
scale on the gauge face reading in whatever units of measurement the operators find most convenient to use
(correlating pressure in PSI to level based on the assumed density of the crude oil).
Answer 54
V = 495.4 ft3 = 3706 gallons
Note: if your answer is wildly in error, you might want to check to see that your calculator is set to do
trigonometric functions in units of radians instead of degrees!
Answer 55
Answer 56
Partial answer:
The scale will indicate 6.25 inches of water for one-quarter inch of rainfall.
Answer 57
LRV = 9.87 kPa URV = 45.77 kPa
117
Answer 58
During regular operation:
Open valves: 2, 4, 5, and 8
Shut valves: 1, 3, 6, 7, and 9
Procedure to apply an LRV test pressure to the transmitter:

Shut valves 2 and 4
Open valves 1 and 6
Inspect wet-leg liquid level (re-fill if necessary)
Crack valve 4 open until liquid overflows out of LRV standpipe, then shut
The transmitter will now be sensing LRV pressure
Answer 59
Answer 60
Answer 61
Example responses:
List all the fundamental principles (e.g. basic laws of physics, mathematics, electric circuits, etc.) you
applied in this course of study so far, as well as a brief description of how you used these principles to solve
problems and/or understand new concepts:
The Conservation of Energy keeps coming up as a fundamental principle. When we studied fluid
dynamics we saw how the Conservation of Energy explains why fluid pressure falls as velocity increases
through the throat of a venturi tube.
The distinction between electrical sources and electrical loads is important when figuring out how
to connect instruments together, like loop-powered 4-20 mA transmitters connecting to controllers and
indicators. Identifying whether a component is a source or a load tells you how the direction of current
relates to the polarity of that components voltage.
Of these principles, which seem the most important to you and why?
Ive seen the Conservation of Energy come up in previous Instrumentation courses. I even see
applications of it in everyday life, such as when I drive my hybrid electric car and I see how the electrical
system takes the cars kinetic energy and transfers it to the battery when I slow down.
Of these principles, which seem the most challenging to apply?

I keep having trouble with circuit-sketching exercises, mostly because I keep getting the voltage polarities
and current directions wrong. When my instructor shows me which component is a source and which is a
load, and then draws current arrows and voltage +/ symbols, it all looks so simple. When I try it on my
own I get confused.
Identify strategies you will use to improve your understanding of these principles.
Clearly it doesnt work for me to just see someone else apply a concept I need to do it on my own in
order to really understand whats going on. I am going to work through the practice problem worksheets on
the Socratic Instrumentation website and then have my instructor figure out where I went wrong when my
answers dont match the worksheets answers.
118
Answer 62
Partial answer:
Percent of Buoyant Output signal Output signal Output signal

span (%) force (lb) ideal (PSI) min. (PSI) max. (PSI)
0 0.5675 3
25 5.88
50 1.929 8.88
75 12.12
100 3.291 15.12
Answer 63
LRV = 198.1 inches H2 O URV = 107.1 inches H2 O
Answer 64
Partial answer:
Interface Percent of pressure Output signal Output signal Output signal

level (in) span (%) sensed (W.C) ideal (mA) min. (mA) max. (mA)
0 0 28.83 3.84
10 5.6 5.76
2.75 25 29.71 7.84
50 12 12.16
75 31.48 15.84
9.9 90 18.4 18.56
100 20 19.84
Answer 65
Partial answer:
Voltage drop across transmitter signal terminals =
Voltage drop across 250 resistor = 2.6 volts
Answer 66
Answer 67

2-inch line plugged at bottom of separator vessel

LT-92 failed with high output signal

Air supply to solenoid valve shut off

Solenoid vent line plugged

PSV-11 stuck open

LSHH-231 failed with high output signal
119
Answer 68
Based on the first measurement (only), we could conclude the wiring fault may be an open in cable
26 or cable 30, or a short in any cable.
Answer 69
You may locate the grades template on the Y: network drive at BTC, provided you log in to the
computer system using your individual student ID and password (not a generic login such as btc).
Answer 70
Measured level Percent of span Output signal

(inches) (%) (mA)
47 20 7.2
44.38 12.5 6
66.25 75 16
60 57.14 13.14
64.28 69.38 15.1
51.9 34 9.44
120
Answer 71
Sightglass
Can it be used to measure the level of both liquid and solid materials? Liquids only
Can it be used to measure liquid-liquid interfaces? Yes, but only if both ports submerged
Does its calibration depend on some fluid property such as density? No
Special advantages: Simple and inexpensive
Special disadvantages: Manual indication only no output signal
Float
Can it be used to measure the level of both liquid and solid materials? Liquids yes, solids only if
retracted by automated winch
Can it be used to measure liquid-liquid interfaces? Yes, if float density is set properly
Special advantages: Relatively simple and inexpensive
Special disadvantages: Requires guides and other apparatus to stabilize in a tall vessel;
doesnt work well in turbulent processes
Hydrostatic (DP with direct contact)

Can it be used to measure liquid-liquid interfaces? Yes, if both ports submerged
Does its calibration depend on some fluid property such as density? Yes, density!
Special advantages: Fairly simple and reliable
Special disadvantages: DP sensor must withstand process fluid corrosion
Hydrostatic bubbler (dip tube)

Can it be used to measure liquid-liquid interfaces? Only if two dip tubes used, with both
submerged
Special advantages: Dip tube may be made of ceramic or other non-corroding material
Special disadvantages: Requires reliable and (possibly) expensive purge fluid
Displacer
Can it be used to measure liquid-liquid interfaces? Yes, if displacer is fully submerged
Special advantages: Simple and reliable
Special disadvantages: Susceptible to vibration; displacer may become stuck inside of the
cage if the process fouls
Ultrasonic
Can it be used to measure the level of both liquid and solid materials? Yes
Can it be used to measure liquid-liquid interfaces? No
Does its calibration depend on some fluid property such as density? Yes, the speed of sound
through the transmission media
Special advantages: No contact with process fluid required
121
Special disadvantages: Requires sharp change in density to function (e.g. layers of foam
may interfere with measurement); irregular shapes inside of vessel may cause scattering
and/or false echoes
Non-contact radar
Can it be used to measure liquid-liquid interfaces? No
Does its calibration depend on some fluid property such as density? Yes, the speed of light through
the transmission media
Special disadvantages: Requires sharp change in permittivity to function (e.g. certain
substances such as wood chips may be difficult to detect); irregular shapes inside of vessel
may cause scattering and/or false echoes
Guided-wave radar
Can it be used to measure liquid-liquid interfaces? Yes
Does its calibration depend on some fluid property such as density? Yes, the speed of light through
the transmission media
Special advantages: Waveguide helps ensure a strong echo signal
Special disadvantages: Waveguide must withstand corrosion and other stress from the
process fluid; requires significant transitions in permittivity to detect surface and interface
levels; irregular shapes inside of vessel may cause scattering and/or false echoes
Magnetostrictive
Can it be used to measure the level of both liquid and solid materials? No
Can it be used to measure liquid-liquid interfaces? Yes, if float density is set properly
Special advantages: Highly accurate measurement of float position (sub-millimeter
resolution capability!)
Special disadvantages: Susceptible to fouling of float on waveguide rod
Weight (load cells on vessel)

Can it be used to measure liquid-liquid interfaces? No, unless total height of liquid is fixed (e.g.
using an overflow pipe)
Does its calibration depend on some fluid property such as density? Yes, if level (height)
measurement is desired; No, if mass measurement is desired
Special advantages: No contact with process fluid required; yields a linear measurement
regardless of vessel geometry
Special disadvantages: All mechanical stress must be eliminated from vessel
Capacitive
Can it be used to measure liquid-liquid interfaces? Yes, so long as probe is fully submerged
Does its calibration depend on some fluid property such as density? Yes, permittivity of the
process liquid for the non-conducting style
Special advantages: Inexpensive
Special disadvantages: Prone to calibration errors due to stray capacitance; irregular shapes
inside of vessel may cause nonlinear response
122
Nuclear
Can it be used to measure liquid-liquid interfaces? Yes, if density or other radiation-
attenuating/scattering properties are sufficiently different between the two liquids
Special disadvantages: Expensive to license and operate; calibration errors may result with
fouling of vessel walls
Answer 72
Since the process liquid is potable water, it is mildly conductive to electricity. Virtually any high-level
alarm circuit built around one or two electrodes located at the high-water level will suffice. Here is a sample
idea:
+V
Relay
Probe
Grounded metal vessel

Water
123
Answer 73
H
h
Liquid
0
Empty V Full
Liquid level instrument calibration is most critical at the wider span of the vessel.
0
V
Smaller error Larger error
124
Answer 74
D h
Liquid h
0
Empty V Full
Liquid level instrument calibration is most critical near the center (50% fill) of the vessel.
0
Smaller error Larger error V
Answer 75
Upper transmitter: LRV = 148.8 H2 O URV = 120 H2 O
Lower transmitter: LRV = 120 H2 O URV = 36 H2 O
Answer 76
Lower range-values (LRV): 9.461 kPa input = 4 mA output
Upper range-values (URV): 42.57 kPa input = 20 mA output
Transmitter output signal (mA) at 5.2 feet of level = 9.943 mA

Acetone level at 12.7 mA signal output = 7.613 feet
125
Answer 77
As compressed air slowly enters the dip tube, it presses the water out the bottom of the tube until the
tube is dry. At that point when all the water is pushed out the end of the tube the air pressure inside
the tube precisely equals the hydrostatic pressure of the water at the bottom of the tube.
If the air pressure exceeds that hydrostatic water pressure by the slightest amount, an air bubble will
escape from the tubes end. As soon as this air bubble escapes, the pressure inside the tube drops back
down to being precisely equal to the waters hydrostatic pressure. In other words, at low air flow rates the
water acts as a sort of pressure relief, preventing the air pressure from significantly exceeding the hydrostatic
pressure. In this way, the dip tube replicates the waters hydrostatic pressure in the form of air pressure,
which may be sensed by any pressure-measuring instrument connected anywhere along the tubes length.
Pgauge = 3.829 PSI
Answer 78
The problem is that gasoline is less dense than water: for the same liquid height in the tank, gasoline
generates less hydrostatic pressure than water. The solution is to re-calibrate the gauge!
Answer to Socratic question: the gauge will register about 6.7 feet of liquid. The density of gasoline
varies between 41 and 43 pounds per cubic foot, so the range of possibilities here for gauge reading is 6.57
feet to 6.89 feet.
Answer 79
The presence of a wet leg will elevate the zero of the transmitters range by 48 W.C.
Most DP transmitters will suffer some calibration error due to high static pressures, but this is typically
negligible. Thus, the transmitter need only be calibrated with inches WC air pressure on the calibration
bench, nothing special.
It is customary to provide a condensate pot at the top of this vertical tube run in order to ensure
adequate condensate volume in the wet leg. This helps minimize temporary calibration errors resulting from
loss of condensate in the wet leg from drainage during maintenance procedures.
Answer 80
The use of two pressure transmitters, one at the bottom and one at the top, is reminiscent of a hydrostatic
tank expert system (using three pressure sensors). If this vessel were vented, we could get away with only
using one pressure transmitter along with the radar gauge to calculate liquid level, density, and total mass.
Answer 81
This is a graded question no answers or hints given!
Answer 82
Answer 83
Answer 84
Answer 85
126
Answer 86
Answer 87
Answer 88
Answer 89
Answer 90
Answer 91
Answer 92
Your loop diagram will be validated when the instructor inspects the loop with you and the rest of your
team.
127

INST240 Sec4

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

INST240 Sec4

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

INST240 Sec4

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

INST 240 (Pressure and Level Measurement), section 4

Recommended daily schedule

Identify scholarship opportunities: check your BTC email in-box daily.

INSTRUCTOR CONTACT INFORMATION:

DEPT/COURSE #: INST 240

CREDITS: 6 Lecture Hours: 26 Lab Hours: 82 Work-based Hours: 0

COURSE TITLE: Pressure and Level Measurement

STUDENT ASSIGNMENTS/REQUIREMENTS: All assignments for this course are thoroughly

All grades are criterion-referenced (i.e. no grading on a curve)

ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES:

Core Electronics -- 3 qtrs

(Only if 4th quarter was Summer: INST23x)

INST 200 -- 1 wk Offered 1st week of

Summer quarter Fall quarter Winter quarter Spring quarter

INST 230 -- 3 cr INST 240 -- 6 cr INST 250 -- 5 cr INST 260 -- 4 cr

INST 231 -- 3 cr INST 241 -- 6 cr INST 251 -- 5 cr INST 262 -- 5 cr

INST 232 -- 3 cr INST 242 -- 5 cr INST 252 -- 4 cr INST 263 -- 5 cr

INST 233 -- 3 cr CHEM&161 -- 5 cr ENGT 134 -- 5 cr

Prerequisite for INST206

Possible course schedules depending on date of entry into 2nd year

INST 231 -- 3 cr INST 240 -- 6 cr INST 250 -- 5 cr INST 260 -- 4 cr

INST 232 -- 3 cr INST 241 -- 6 cr INST 251 -- 5 cr INST 262 -- 5 cr

INST 233 -- 3 cr INST 242 -- 5 cr INST 252 -- 4 cr INST 263 -- 5 cr

INST 241 -- 6 cr INST 251 -- 5 cr INST 260 -- 4 cr INST 231 -- 3 cr

INST 242 -- 5 cr INST 252 -- 4 cr INST 262 -- 5 cr INST 232 -- 3 cr

INST 251 -- 5 cr INST 260 -- 4 cr INST 230 -- 3 cr INST 240 -- 6 cr

INST 252 -- 4 cr INST 262 -- 5 cr INST 231 -- 3 cr INST 241 -- 6 cr

CHEM&161 -- 5 cr INST 263 -- 5 cr INST 232 -- 3 cr INST 242 -- 5 cr

INST 262 -- 5 cr INST 231 -- 3 cr INST 240 -- 6 cr INST 251 -- 5 cr

INST 263 -- 5 cr INST 232 -- 3 cr INST 241 -- 6 cr INST 252 -- 4 cr

ENGT 134 -- 5 cr INST 233 -- 3 cr INST 242 -- 5 cr CHEM&161 -- 5 cr

Graduation! Graduation! Graduation! Graduation!

Troubleshooting assessments must meet the following guidelines:

METRIC PREFIX SCALE

102 101 10-1 10-2

Conversion formulae for temperature

Conversion equivalencies for distance

1 milliliter (ml) = 1 cubic centimeter (cm3 )

Conversion equivalencies for velocity

Conversion equivalencies for mass

Conversion equivalencies for force

Conversion equivalencies for area

Conversion equivalencies for absolute pressure units (only)

Conversion equivalencies for energy or work

Conversion equivalencies for power

Acceleration of gravity (free fall), Earth standard

Avogadros number (NA ) = 6.022 1023 per mole (mol1 )

Electronic charge (e) = 1.602 1019 Coulomb (C)

Boltzmanns constant (k) = 1.38 1023 Joules per Kelvin (J/K)

Stefan-Boltzmann constant () = 5.67 108 Watts per square meter-Kelvin4 (W/m2 K4 )

Molar gas constant (R) = 8.314 Joules per mole-Kelvin (J/mol-K)

Specific heat of water at 14o C = 1.00002 calories/go C = 1 BTU/lbo F = 4.1869 Joules/go C

Specific heat of ice 0.5 calories/go C

Specific heat of steam 0.48 calories/go C

pH of pure water at 25o C = 7.0 (pH scale = 0 to 14)

Properties of Dry Air at sea level

file conversion constants

How to get the most out of academic reading:

How to effectively problem-solve and troubleshoot: