Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Science

Department of Chemical Engineering

Course Number CHE 215

Course Title Process Measurements
Instructor Huu Doan
TA Masoume Ehsani

Lab Experiment #7: Liquid Level

Measurement

Section No. 1
Date Of Experiment Mar 11, 2022
Performed
Due Date Mar 18, 2022

Name Student ID Signature*

Shahana Loganathan 501020861

Lamia Tabassum 501028017

Wardah Saqib 501032590

Introduction
This experiment explores the concept of liquid level measurements using the capacitance

variation with liquid level in a vessel. There are liquid level switches and sensors that are responsible

for measuring the capacitance value and voltage supply between two plates of the capacitor [3].

There are two types of sensors. The first type is point level measurement sensors that are used to

mark the point at which the tank is completely filled with the liquid. They function as a high alarm.

The second type of sensor is continuous level transmitters that measure the liquid level as a range and

not at a certain point which produces an analog output [1].

The principle of capacitance is applied to liquid level measurement which is the ability to

obtain and collect free electricity within a circuit [3]. The following equation relates charge with

capacitance and voltage:

𝑄 = 𝐶𝑉 (1)

where C is the capacitance in farad or coulombs/volt, Q is the charge stored in the capacitor in

coulombs, and V is the voltage supply between the two plates in volts. Equation 1 can be expanded

using equation 2 which defines capacitance. The following equation is of the capacitance for the

capacitor:

𝐴
𝐶 = 𝑘ε 𝐷
(2)

where d is the distance between the two plates, A is the area of the plate, 𝑘εis the dielectric constant

of the insulator in between the capacitor. A dielectric constant is for dielectric materials which are

poor conductors or insulators [2]. However, it is a good supporter of electrostatic fields [3]. The

electrostatic field can store energy when the current flow between the opposite electrically charged

poles is kept to a minimum while the lines of reflux are not impeded. In reality, the majority of
dielectric constants are solid. It is important to note that the decrease of dielectric loss, the more

effective the dielectric material is [2].

The combined capacitance due to the liquid and air is:

𝐴𝑎𝑖𝑟 𝐴𝑙𝑖𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑑
𝐶𝑇𝑂𝑇 = 𝑘ε−𝑎𝑖𝑟 𝑑
+ 𝑘ε−𝑙𝑖𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑑 𝑑
(3)

The area of air (𝐴𝑎𝑖𝑟) and the area of liquid (𝐴𝑙𝑖𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑑) are correlated to the liquid level and the

capacitance output [3]. In this experiment, equation 3 will be used to determine total capacitance of

the liquid+air solution and provide information on the relationship between total capacitance and the

linearity with water level in the tank. Overall, this experiment will take time and voltage output of the

two water tanks to show a graphical representation of its relationship.

Results
Table 1: The given Parameters

Inner Diameter of Tank A 10 in

Surface Liquid Height at LS1 2.1 in

Surface liquid height at LS2 22.8 in

Table 2A: Shows the voltage and liquid level at a flow rate of 2 L/min from Tank 1 to Tank 2
[Increasing]

Voltage Output (V) Liquid Level (in)

4.834308 20.67

4.40187 18.08007798

3.892354 15.49015595

3.371095 12.90023393

2.836166 10.31031191

2.324677 7.720389886

1.81785 5.130467864

1.307778 2.540545841

Table 2B: Shows the voltage and liquid level at a flow rate of 4 L/min from Tank 1 to Tank 2
[Increasing]

Voltage Output (V) Liquid Level (in)

4.765107 20.67

4.248028 18.11171936

3.669845 15.52343872

3.080138 12.93515809

2.488452 10.34687745
 1.911822 7.758596809

1.335143 5.17031617

0.288758 0.0455205064

Figure 1 shows the graphical relationship between the voltage output to the liquid level (inch) from
Tank 1 to 2 of the flow rates of 2 L/min and 4 L/min.

Table 3A: Shows the voltage and liquid level at a flow rate of 2 L/min from Tank 2 to Tank 1
[Decreasing]

Voltage Output (V) Liquid Level (in)

0.090681 20.67

0.301566 19.37503899

0.530851 18.08007798

0.783706 16.78511697

1.020939 15.49015595
 1.278918 14.19519494

1.521239 12.90023393

1.779241 11.60527292

2.030292 10.31031191

2.289863 9.015350898

2.55282 7.720389886

2.815688 6.425428875

3.081777 5.130467864

3.354173 3.835506852

3.615601 2.540545841

3.876196 1.24558483

4.13556 0.002422258628

Table 3B: Shows the voltage and liquid level at a flow rate of 4 L/min from Tank 2 to Tank 1
[Decreasing]

Voltage Output (V) Liquid Level (in)

0.09011 20.67

0.46061 18.11171936

1.011646 15.52343872

1.586532 12.93515809

2.19104 10.34687745

2.759536 7.758596809

3.378326 5.17031617

3.986529 2.582035532

4.527938 0.1490517319
 Figure 2 shows the graphical relationship between the voltage output to the liquid level (inch) from
Tank 2 to 1 of the flow rates of 2 L/min and 4 L/min.

Table 4: The calculated values for theoretical capacitance at various liquid levels using
𝐹 𝐹
𝑘ε (𝑎𝑖𝑟) = 0. 0254 𝑖𝑛𝑐ℎ
and 𝑘ε (𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟) = 2. 032 𝑖𝑛𝑐ℎ

Liquid Level (In) Theoretical Capacitance (F)

20.7 79.448

10 46.857

1 19.236

𝐹 105.5878π
Therefore, the total capacitance is 𝐶𝑡𝑜𝑡 = 3. 0963 (ℎ) 𝑖𝑛
+ 20.7
𝐹. This follows the
105.5878π
linear form y=mx+b where y is total capacitance, 3.0963 is the slope, and the y-intercept is 20.7
.
The calculations for total capacitance can be found in Appendix A. The following is the full data file
for this experiment:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1RpavjKrWbejLGmq3kp9ixgwV0TUFrG0hbGqqu-HDOHg/
edit?usp=sharing.

Discussion
Figure 1 represents the increasing trend for liquid level measurements of both 2 L/min and 4

L/min in relation to the voltage from tank 1 to 2. Figure 2 represents the decreasing liquid level

measurements of both 2 L/min and 4 L/min in relation to the voltage from tank 2 to 1. The data used

for the graph was collected through an external software and plotted using Excel Spreadsheet.

An array of measurements were used to obtain the liquid level measurement including flow

rate, radius of tank, and the operational height for upper and lower tank. This is used to observe the

relationship between liquid level changes to determine if they contain a linear relationship. Voltage is

proportional to liquid level and contains a steep slope according to the graphs. From the data, it is

evident that Figures 1 and 2 prove a linear relationship with slight deviations due to error factors.

In Figure 1, the slope for 2 L/min is 5.1 in/V while the slope for 4 L/min is 4.51 in/V. In

Figure 2, the slope for 2 L/min is -5.07 in/V and the slope for 4 L/min is -4.51in/V. Therefore,

analysis from Figures 1 and 2 depicts a steeper slope for 2 L/min. A steeper slope can symbolize the

quickness of flow movement with respect to time; liquid level increases/decreases with increasing

time and voltage.

The theoretical capacitance value for liquid level at 20.7 in was calculated to be 79.45 F.

𝐹 𝐹
𝑘ε (𝑎𝑖𝑟) = 0. 0254 𝑖𝑛𝑐ℎ
and 𝑘ε (𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟) = 2. 032 𝑖𝑛𝑐ℎ
were used to calculate the theoretical

capacitance values. The total capacitance values found by using the values in Table 4. Using the

𝐹 105.5878π
equation, 𝐶𝑡𝑜𝑡 = 3. 0963 (ℎ) 𝑖𝑛
+ 20.7
𝐹, the values from Table 2 are less than 2% of each
other. This confirms that the relationship between the liquid level and capacitance is a linear

relationship.

Sources of error include systematic, environmental, and random errors. The electric circuit in

the float level system pump may not have been broken thoroughly for each displacement. This factor

would result in inaccurate results. Flow of fluid may have caused a loss of area from one tank to

another, which would change the capacitance values. Transfer rate of liquid may be affected with the

pump valve opening. The pump opening may not be open to 1.0GPM or 0.5GPM, causing deviation

in data. Potential environmental factors such as shaking of desks or any deviation in the system may

affect rate of fluid transfer. From the acquired results, it is observed that the possible sources of errors

are minimal as data persists to form a linear relationship with one another.

Conclusion
The objective of this experiment was to understand and use the concepts of liquid level measurement

using the theories behind capacitance variation with liquid level in a vessel. Liquid level switching

will be introduced to protect the vessel from liquid overflow and protect the feed pump from going

dry. In this experiment, the theoretical capacitance values at different liquid levels were determined to

prove the linearity of graphs. The relationship was calculated using mathematical concepts to

compare and understand the relation of water level in the tank. For both capacitors, fluid levels were

accurate since they displayed linear relationships and yielded similar results to the theoretical data

with 2% difference in values (obtained from table 4). Potential errors may be due to systematic,

environmental, or random errors from the experiment such as inability of breakage from electric

circuit, loss of area, and valve opening. Since the objectives of this experiment were explored and

results matched that of theoretical values, the experiment was conducted successfully.
References
[1] Omega Specirus Co, “Introduction to Liquid Level Measurement,” Omega Engineering. [Online].

Available: https://www.omega.co.uk/prodinfo/level-measurement.html.

[2] Volksen, W., Miller, R. D., & Dubois, G. (2010). Low dielectric constant materials. Chemical

Reviews, 110(1), 56-110.

[3] Process Measurement Lab Manual, Ryerson University, 2022, pp. 39 - 43.
Appendix A
Low Rate Conversion:
𝐿 1 𝑔𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑛
2 𝑚𝑖𝑛
𝑥 3.785 𝐿
= 0. 528944 ≈ 0. 5 𝐺𝑃𝑀
3 3
𝐿 1 𝑚𝑖𝑛 61.0237 𝑖𝑛 𝑖𝑛
2 𝑚𝑖𝑛
𝑥 60 𝑠
𝑥 1𝐿
= 2. 03412 ≈ 2. 03 𝑠

High Rate Conversion:

𝐿 1 𝑔𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑛
4 𝑚𝑖𝑛
𝑥 3.785 𝐿
= 1. 05680317 ≈ 1. 0 𝐺𝑃𝑀
3 3
𝐿 1 𝑚𝑖𝑛 61.0237 𝑖𝑛 𝑖𝑛
4 𝑚𝑖𝑛
𝑥 60 𝑠
𝑥 1𝐿
= 4. 06825 ≈ 4. 07 𝑠

Volume Drained from the Tank at 1 second:

3
𝑖𝑛 3
𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑝𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑥 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒 = 1 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑 𝑥 2. 03412 𝑠
= 2. 03412 𝑖𝑛

Cross-Sectional Area of tank:

2 2 2
π𝑟 = π(5 𝑖𝑛) = 78. 53981634 ≈ 78. 54 𝑖𝑛
Liquid Level:
𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑑𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑 2.03412
𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑙𝑖𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑑 𝑙𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑙 − 𝑐𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑠 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎
= 20. 7 − 78.53981634
= 20. 67410078 ≈ 20. 67 𝑖𝑛

Area of Electrode in Air and Liquid for Liquid Level at 20.67 in:
2 2
𝐴𝑎𝑖𝑟 = 2π𝑟ℎ + 2π𝑟 = 50π = 157. 0796327 ≈ 157. 08 𝑖𝑛

2 2
𝐴𝑙𝑖𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑑 = 2π𝑟ℎ + 2π𝑟 = 10π (20. 67) + 50π = 806. 4468342 ≈ 806. 45 𝑖𝑛

𝐹 0.0254 𝑚 𝐹
Dielectric Constant of air: 1. 0 𝑚
𝑥 1 𝑖𝑛
= 0. 0254 𝑖𝑛𝑐ℎ

𝐹 0.0254 𝑚 𝐹
Dielectric Constant of water: 80 𝑚
𝑥 𝑖𝑛
= 2. 032 𝑖𝑛𝑐ℎ

Theoretical Capacitance Values for Liquid Level at 20.7 in:

𝐴𝑎𝑖𝑟 𝐴𝑙𝑖𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑑 𝐹
2
157.1 𝑖𝑛 0.0254 𝑚 𝐹 157.1 𝑖𝑛
2
0.0254 𝑚
𝐶𝑡𝑜𝑡 = 𝑘ε (𝑎𝑖𝑟) 𝑑
+ 𝑘ε (𝑙𝑖𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑑) 𝑑
= 1 𝑚
( 20.7 𝑖𝑛
𝑥 𝑖𝑛
) + 80 𝑚
( 20.7 𝑖𝑛
𝑥 𝑖𝑛
)
 = 79. 45 𝐹
Total Capacitance varies Linearly with the Water Level in the Tank:
𝐴𝑎𝑖𝑟 𝐴𝑙𝑖𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑑
𝐶𝑡𝑜𝑡 = 𝑘ε (𝑎𝑖𝑟) 𝑑
+ 𝑘ε (𝑙𝑖𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑑) 𝑑

2 2
𝐴𝑎𝑖𝑟 = 2π𝑟 (20. 7 − ℎ) + 2π𝑟 𝐴𝑙𝑖𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑑 = 2π𝑟ℎ + 2π𝑟

h - water level and d - distance between two plates [22.8-2.1=20.7]

2
𝐹 2π(5)(20.7−ℎ)+2π(5 ) 𝐹 10πℎ+50π
𝐶𝑡𝑜𝑡 = 0. 0254 𝑖𝑛𝑐ℎ
[ 20.7
] + 2. 032 𝑖𝑛𝑐ℎ
[ 20.7
]

0.254π 20.32π 3.9878π − 0.254πℎ + 20.32πℎ+101.6π

= 20.7
[15. 7 − ℎ] + 20.7
[ℎ + 5] = 20.7

𝐹 105.5878π
∴𝐶𝑡𝑜𝑡 = 3. 0963 (ℎ) 𝑖𝑛
+ 20.7
𝐹

The total capacitance values found by using the values in table 4 are less than 2% of each other. The
relationship between the liquid level and capacitance is a linear relationship.
Relationship between Voltage and Liquid Levels:
0.5 GPM
2 L/min → 𝑦 = 5. 1 𝑥 − 4. 2
4 L/min → 𝑦 = 4. 51 𝑥 − 0. 921
Average: 𝑦 = 4. 81𝑥 − 2. 56
1.0 GPM
2 L/min → 𝑦 =− 5. 07 𝑥 + 20. 8
4 L/min → 𝑦 =− 4. 51 𝑥 + 20. 4
Average: 𝑦 =− 4. 79𝑥 + 20. 6
1 𝐹 2 𝐹
𝐶𝑡𝑜𝑡 = 20.7 𝑖𝑛
[0. 0254 𝑖𝑛𝑐ℎ
[2π(5)(20. 7 − ℎ) + 2π(5 )] + 2. 032 𝑖𝑛𝑐ℎ
[ 10πℎ + 50π]

1
= 20.7 𝑖𝑛
[0. 254πℎ𝐹 + 1. 27𝑖𝑛π𝐹 + 20. 32πℎ𝐹 + 101. 6𝑖𝑛π𝐹]

1
= 20.7 𝑖𝑛
[102. 87𝑖𝑛π𝐹 + 20. 574πℎ𝐹]

1
= 20.7 𝑖𝑛
[0. 254πℎ𝐹 + 1. 27𝑖𝑛π𝐹 + 20. 32πℎ𝐹 + 101. 6𝑖𝑛π𝐹]

= 4. 97π𝐹 + 0. 99πℎ𝐹/𝑖𝑛
 𝐹
∴ 𝐶𝑡𝑜𝑡 = 3. 0963 (ℎ) 𝑖𝑛
+ 16. 02 𝐹