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iii
MI 020-328 September 1988 Contents
iv
Figures
1 Bubble Tube Functional Diagram ................................................................................ 2
2 Liquid Level Calculation .............................................................................................. 4
3 Interface Calculation - One Tube ................................................................................. 6
4 Interface Calculation - Two Tubes ............................................................................... 6
5 Density Calculation - One Tube .................................................................................. 7
6 Density Calculation - Two Tubes ................................................................................ 7
7 Bubble Tube Notch Details ......................................................................................... 9
8 Bubble Tube Installation - One Tube .......................................................................... 10
9 Bubble Tube Installation - Two Tubes ......................................................................... 11
10 Bubble Tube Installation - One Tube at Side of Tank ................................................. 11
11 Bubble Tube Installation - Two Tubes at Side of Tank ................................................ 12
12 B0107XY Differential Pressure Regulator and Bubble Tube Piping ............................. 14
13 B0107XX Differential Pressure Regulator and Bubble Tube Piping ............................. 15
14 Interface Level Calculation Calculating Output for any Input ...................................... 19
15 Bubble Tube Maintenance ........................................................................................... 21
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MI 020-328 September 1988 Figures
vi
Introduction
The bubble tube principle of hydrostatic measurement is a convenient, low-cost method of
measuring liquid level, density, or interface level in an open tank. It is particularly applicable
for those installations where:
Process liquid could crystallize in transmitter lines.
Process temperature exceeds temperature limit of flange-mounted transmitter.
Process tank does not have side connections for flange-mounted transmitter.
Process liquid is corrosive and cannot have direct contact with transmitter.
Abbreviations
The abbreviations below are used in this instruction.
ABBREVIATION MEANING
LRV Lower-range value (measurement that produces a 4 mA output)
URV Upper-range value (measurement that produces a 20 mA output)
Sp.G. Specific gravity (relative density) of a liquid. Specific gravity of
water in both customary and SI systems is 1.00.
Principle of Operation
Air is passed through a restrictor to a tube partly immersed in a liquid. The lower end of the
tube is at a fixed distance above the bottom of the tank (see Figure 1).
The pressure of the air supply is high enough to overcome the hydrostatic head on the tube,
and the excess pressure appears as small bubbles coming out of the bottom of the tube. Thus,
the back pressure in the tube is a measure of the pressure on the bottom of the tube due to the
level of liquid. Since the position of the tube is fixed, any change in this back pressure is due
to a change in the level of the liquid.
The back pressure is connected to the high-pressure side of the transmitter, and the low- pres-
sure side is vented. Thus, the differential pressure measured by the transmitter is a measure of
the level of the liquid.
If the level of the liquid is constant (continuous overflow), any change in the transmitter dif-
ferential pressure must be due to a change in liquid density or interface level. Thus, density
and interface level can also be measured. If the tank level varies, these measurements can still
be made by using two different-length tubes connected to opposite sides of the transmitter;
see Figure 4 and Figure 6.
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MI 020-328 September 1988 Introduction
Reference Instructions
DOCUMENT
DESCRIPTION NUMBER
Purge Rotameter MI 005-529
Purge Rotameter(Liq.Lev.) MI 010-153
Diff. Press. Regulator MI 011-170
13A,13H,15A Transmitters MI 022-345
823DP-I,-H, Transmitters MI 020-330
823DP-D Transmitter MI 020-345
843DP Transmitter MI 020-437
E13DH/DL/DM Transmitter MI 020-140
Density Measurements TI 1-50a
Liquid Interface Level Measurement TI 001-051
Liquid Level Measurements TI 001-052
2
Introduction MI 020-328 September 1988
141.5
API: Sp.G. = ---------------------------------
API + 131.5
Tw
Twaddell: Sp.G. = ----------- + 1
200
Calibration
If measurement range was specified in the sales order, the transmitter was calibrated in the fac-
tory to these values, and these same values are stamped on the transmitter data plate.
If measurement range was not specified, transmitter was calibrated in the factory to maximum
span for the particular sensor installed in the transmitter. In this case, the measurement range
area of the data plate is left blank so that the user can mark the desired calibrated range (in
terms of head of water) himself.
The transmitter must be calibrated to the desired range before putting it into operation. (If
the transmitter was calibrated in factory, the calibration should be checked.) Use the applica-
ble formula to determine the input pressures (in terms of head of water) corresponding to the
desired measurement limits. Mark these input pressure limits in the applicable area on the
transmitter data plate, and use these values as the calibrating input signals.
3
MI 020-328 September 1988 Calculations
Calculations
The sections that follow show typical calculations for liquid level measurement, interface mea-
surement, and density measurement. Interface and density measurements are shown with
both a constant tank level and a varying tank level.
Note that the upper-range and lower-range values (URV and LRV) refer to the desired maxi-
mum and minimum measurements, respectively. The Calibrated Span = URV - LRV. The
value of the suppression is the output at LRV above 0%.
Span = (A)(GL)
HW at LRV = (B)(GL) = Suppression
HW at URV = (A + B)(GL)
Calibrated Range = LRV to URV
where:
GL = Sp.G. of Tank Liquid
HW = Equivalent Head of Water
4
Calculations MI 020-328 September 1988
where:
G1 = Sp.G. of Upper Liquid
G2 = Sp.G. of Lower Liquid
HW = Equivalent Head of Water
EXAMPLE: Liquid Sp.G. varies between 0.9 and 1.8; A = 50 inches and B = 10 inches
Span = (50)(1.8 - 0.9) = 45 inH2O
Hw at LRV = (50)(0.9) + (10)(1.8) = 63 inH2O
Hw at URV = (50 + 10)(1.8) = 108 inH2O
Calibrated Range = 63 to 108 inH2O
where:
G1 = Sp.G. of upper liquid
G2 = Sp.G. of lower liquid
HW = equivalent head of water
EXAMPLE: Interface liquid Sp.G. varies between 1.0 and 1.7; and H = 40 inches.
Span = (40)(1.7 - 1.0) = 28 inH2O
HW at LRV = (40)(1.0) = 40 inH2O = Suppression
HW at URV = (40)(1.7) = 68 inH2O
Calibrated Range = 40 to 68 inH2O
5
MI 020-328 September 1988 Calculations
Figure 3. Interface Calculation - One Tube Figure 4. Interface Calculation - Two Tubes
where:
G1 = Minimum Sp.G.
G2 = Maximum Sp.G.
HW = Equivalent Head of Water
EXAMPLE: Liquid Sp.G. varies between 1.0 and 1.8; and A = 40 inches.
Span = (40)(1.8 - 1.0) = 32 inH2O
HW at LRV = (40)(1.0) = 40 inH2O = Suppression
HW at URV = (40)(1.8) = 72 inH2O
Calibrated Range = 40 to 72 inH2O
6
Calculations MI 020-328 September 1988
where:
G1 = Minimum Sp.G.
G2 = Maximum Sp.G.
HW = Equivalent Head of Water
EXAMPLE: Liquid Sp.G. varies between 1.2 and 2.0; and H = 40 inches.
Span = (40)(2.0 - 1.2) = 32 inH2O
HW at LRV = (40)(1.2) = 48 inH2O = Suppression
HW at URV = (40)(2.0) = 80 inH2O
Calibrated Range = 48 to 80 inH2O
Figure 5. Density Calculation - One Tube Figure 6. Density Calculation - Two Tubes
7
MI 020-328 September 1988 Installation
Installation
Typical Piping Arrangements
With bubble tube installations, refer to either Figure 8 or Figure 9, as applicable. With side-
connection installations, refer to either Figure 10 or Figure 11, as applicable.
Suitable for gas or liquid purges up to 1.4 MPa (200 psi) 90C (200F). See list below.
D0127MF 0.2 to 30 scfh (Gas), or 0.1 to 5 gph (Liquid)
D0127ML 5 to 60 scfh (Gas)
D0127MK 4 to 40 gph (Liquid)
8
Installation MI 020-328 September 1988
Snubbers:
For installation in the process line to reduce or eliminate any unwanted pressure pulsa-
tions, 1/4 NPT at both ends.
For gases and thin liquids, see list below.
0045162 Brass, 1500 psi (100 bar)
0045163 303 ss, 5000 psi (340 bar)
Installation Notes
1. Bubble tube and transmitter piping is supplied by user.
2. There should be a minimum of 75 mm (3 inches) of clear liquid (no sediment)
below the bottom of the tube. With two-tube installations, there should also be
a minimum of 75 mm (3 inches) of liquid above the upper tube).
3. Bubble tube assembly should be located in area of representative liquid, and where
liquid agitation is at a minimum.
4. Bubble tube assembly must be rigidly fixed in position.
5. Bottom of bubble tubes to be notched so that air comes out in a steady stream of
small bubbles (rather than an intermittent stream of large bubbles, which could
introduce errors). See Figure 7 for details of this notching. (Not applicable for
side-connection installations.)
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MI 020-328 September 1988 Installation
10
Installation MI 020-328 September 1988
11
MI 020-328 September 1988 Installation
12
Installation MI 020-328 September 1988
The two regulators in the table below are available from Foxboro.
Type And Part Number
Type 62V Type 63BD
Parameter BO107XY BO107XX
Differential Pressure (fixed) 10.3 kPa 20.7 kPa
1.5 psi 3.0 psi
Maximum Input Pressure 690 kPa 1720 kPa
100 psi 250 psi
Exhaust Flow Rate 0.03 m3/h None
(at standard conditions) 0.9 ft3/h None
Maximum Temperature 65C 80C
150F 180F
Liquid Purge No Yes
13
MI 020-328 September 1988 Installation
Figure 12. B0107XY Differential Pressure Regulator and Bubble Tube Piping
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Installation MI 020-328 September 1988
Figure 13. B0107XX Differential Pressure Regulator and Bubble Tube Piping
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MI 020-328 September 1988 Operation
One method to determine if a pressure loss exists is to install test gauges at each end of the line
going to the transmitter, and compare readings. To calculate the loss in pressure, see To Cal-
culate Pressure Loss in Air Line section that follows.
(With one-tube installations, a quick check for pressure loss is to momentarily turn off the air
supply and note if there is any change in transmitter output.)
If a significant pressure loss exists, reduce the air flow, and/or use a larger size line, and/or
move the transmitter nearer the bubble tube.
Operation
Operating Notes
1. Function of restrictor is to control flow of air. This is accomplished with needle
valve on bottom of rotameter (except if Type 62V differential pressure regulator
[B0107XY] is used). Use this needle valve to adjust air flow for optimum small
bubble size.
If Type 62V regulator (B0107XY) is used, needle valve on regulator is used to
adjust flow of air.
2. To prevent measurement errors, open ends of the tubes should always be covered
with tank liquid.
3. With interface measurement, maximum level must be below open end of upper
tube; minimum level must be above open end of lower tube.
4. If range is to be changed, transmitter must be recalibrated to new range. Dimen-
sion H may require changing for new range.
5. Needle valve on rotameter should not be used as a system air shutoff; instead use
upstream valve at air supply to system.
6. Do not allow level of liquid to fall below bottom of bubble tube (or tank connec-
tion).
7. Check all connections for leaks.
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Formulas to Calculate Output and Pressure Loss MI 020-328 September 1988
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MI 020-328 September 1988 Formulas to Calculate Output and Pressure Loss
In using these formulas, the transmitter must already be calibrated to the desired range. If the
transmitter has not been calibrated (or if the calibration is to be changed), complete the cali-
bration first. Use the applicable formula to determine the input pressures (in terms of head of
water) corresponding to the desired measurement limits. Mark these input pressure limits in
the applicable areas on the transmitter data plate.
Therefore,
30 10
Output = (16) ------------------ + 4 = 8.0 mA
90 10
Density Formula
Therefore,
1.0 0.6
Output = (40) ----------------------- + 10 = 30 mA
1.4 0.6
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Formulas to Calculate Output and Pressure Loss MI 020-328 September 1988
5
Output = (12) ------ + 3 = 6 psi
20
Figure 14. Interface Level Calculation Calculating Output for any Input
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MI 020-328 September 1988 Formulas to Calculate Output and Pressure Loss
If the ID of the actual pipe used is not listed in the table above, use the formula below to cal-
culate the approximate value of K.
K = 1/(62)(ID)4 [with line ID in inches]
If the measurements are in the SI system (line ID in mm, line length in metres, and flow in
m3/h), then use the following formula to calculate K.
KSI units = (65.9/ID)4
EXAMPLE 1: Determine pressure loss in a 20 foot length of 1/8 pipe due to an air flow of
4 scfh.
K = 3.0 for 1/8 in pipe (from the table)
P = (K)(F)(L) = (3.0)(4)(20/1000)
P = 0.24 inH2O
20
Calibration MI 020-328 September 1988
Calibration
In general, follow the calibrating procedures outlined in the appropriate transmitter instruc-
tions.
If desired, instead of using air pressures as calibrating signals, these signals can be generated by
varying the level (or density) of the tank liquid to values at or near each end of the range. Use
the calibrating values stamped on the data plate; or if the range is to be changed, calculate the
new values. In this way, the transmitter can be calibrated without removing it from the pro-
cess.
Maintenance
Use applicable reference instructions listed on page 2 when servicing the transmitter, rota-
meter, or differential pressure regulator.
If there is any tendency for solids to crystallize in the bubble tubes, or if dirt tends to collect
there, remove the cleanout plugs and push a rod down through the tubes and/or flush with a
suitable liquid. Perform as often as required.
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MI 020-328 September 1988 Maintenance
.
ISSUE DATES
JUN 1984
JAN 1988
SEP 1988