PROCESS INSTRUMENT FUNDATAMENTAL USABLE SENSOR ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES EXAMPLES/TYPES

VARIABLE PRINCIPLE RANGE ATTRIBUTES

Temperature Negative Displays large -50°C to Accurate 1. Well 1. higher power 1. Glass bead
temperature changes in resistance 150°C suited for dissipation thermistor
coefficient (NTC) in proportion to small Interchangeabl sensing capabilities 2. Disc and Chip
thermistor changes in e temperatur 2. non-linear thermistor
temperature. e at 3. not used for 3. Glass
Repeatable remote high encapsulated
locations temperatures NTC
via long, thermistors
two-wire
cable.
2. Able to
handle
mechanica
l and
thermal
shock and
vibration
Alteration of the higher level electric 1. limited
Piezo-resistive electric resistance signal operation
or Strain Gauge with the temperature
deformation/contracti range,
on as a result of the 2. applicable on
applied pressure low pressure
ranges
because they
generate a
very low,
 unstable,
excitation
signal
Thermocouple indicates temperature J- -73oC to J - high and Useful as a "point" the output voltage of J type thermocouples
s by measuring a change 427oC fairly uniform sensor the thermocouple is T type thermocouples
in the voltage by the T- -75 to 93 sensitivity in not linear with respect K type thermocouples
principle of thermo- Oc millivolts per to temperature.
electric effect K- 0 to 277oC degree
temperature
change

Type T is
highlys stable
at subzero
temperatures
with a high
conformity to
published
calibration
data
Resistor a resistor temperature -270oC to Stable and Fast response produces heat in a 2 wire RTDs
Temperature detector, the resistance +850oC repeatable time resistive element
Detector is proportional to the causing an error in the
temperature. temperature 3 wire RTDs
(RTD)
measurements

Pressure RESONANT converts an applied 50 kPa to 110  High  The higher

PRESSURE pressure to a kPa
SENSOR frequency response resolution costs of
  Quasi- fabrication

digital  The

output complexity

 Ease of of operation

interfacing electronics

to  The difficulty

computers in vacuum

. encapsulation

necessary for

a high quality

factor

Piezo-electric produces a differential 0.1 to 10000 accuracy of +/- quick response 1. require a high
tension proportional to psig impedance
the pressure applied on 1%. circuit and a
its faces high gain
amplifier.
2. do not
perform solid
 state pressure
measurement
3. they need

high

impedance

cable for

electrical

interface.

Capacitive based on transducers 1. Ideal for

pressure whose pressure applied low and
transducer to diaphragm sensors high
produces a variation of pressure
capacitance between applicatio
them and a central ns.
diaphragm 2. Minimize
the
Probable
Total
Error and
consequen
tly process
variability.
3. Ideal for
 flow
applicatio
ns.
4. Their
lineal
response
allows
high
rangeabilit
y
exactness
Optical fiber 1. low
sensors material
chemical
reactivity
2. high
sensitivity
3. long
transmissio
n distance
4. multiplexin
g of signals
Flow Orifice Meter measure the 1. It is very 1. Gets 1. Concentric
differential pressure cheap and clogge (for clean
easy d fluids)
method to when
2. Eccentric
measure the
flow rate. suspe (dirty fluids
2. nded and slurries)
It has predictable fluids 3. Segmental
 characteristics flow (dirty fluids
and occupies less 2. Pressu and slurries
space. re
3. recove
Can be used to m ry at
easure flow rates downs
in large pipes tream
is poor
3. The
coeffic
ient of
discha
rge is
low
4. the
poor
est
recov
ery of
differ
ential
press
ure
(50%
).

ANNUBAR enables flow a minimum Accuracy of 1. No 1. Sensitive to Insertion Type

FLOW METER measurement by rod mass flow is pressure upstream Compact type
creating a Reynolds ±1%. loss disturbances
 differential pressure Number of 2. cheap 2. range-
6500 with 3. can be ability(turnd
no used in own) is low
maximum any 3. output
limit orientatio signal is
n non-linear
to the flow

FLOW Restriction in the 0.6-1.6 L/s accuracy of 1. Flow 1. Pressure Holding ring type
NOZZLES fluid flow causes a ±1.0 % nozzles recovery is Flanged type
pressure drop, are low Weld in type
which relates to the
corrosion 2. Difficult
flow rate
resistant installation
2. They are 3. Limited pipe
consisten size
tly
accurate
3. They are
virtually
maintena
nce free
4. High
coefficien
t of
discharge

THE ELBOW utilizes the minimum uncalibrated low acquisition nonlinear flow
 METER centrifugal change required accuracy costs meter
of velocity-pressure pipe approximatel
Reynolds y ± 4.0% must be calibrated
number of on the site and
50,000 with good also adjacent
no repeatability piping is required
maximum of ± 0.20%). in order to obtain
limit. reliable and
accurate readings
Level Radar level Uses radio wave High accuracy 1. Detects 1. Very 1. Guided-wave
sensor (electromagnetic) in but dependent obstructio sensitive to radar
nature at very high heavily on the ns in build up on 2. Non-contact
frequency in a type of chutes or sensor wave radar
microwave frequency application, presses surface
range. antenna 2. Monitors 2. Very
design, contents expensive
mechanical of boxes
installation, or other
state and multi-
quality of media
electronics and materials
echo 3. High
processing Accuracy
software. 4. Used in
difficult(H
igh to
handle)
applicatio
n
Capacitance applying a Radio 1. easy 1. sensitivity to
Level Transducer Frequency signal installation changes in the
between the conductive 2. broad measurable
probe and the vessel application properties
wall by measuring range such as
admittance of an 3. good dielectric
alternating current accuracy constant and
(ac) circuit that varies 4. Able to conductivity
with level withstand 2. In solids
high measuremen
temperatur t, variations
es and in particle
pressures size affect
the dielectric
constant
3. Usually
empirical
calibration
techniques
are used
Float Sensor works on the principle 1. very simple 1. requires
of buoyancy 2. highly various
accurate mechanical
equipment,
especially the
pressure
vessels.
2. only be used
with non-
freezing
fluids
3. Prone to
corrosion if
 liquids and
materials are
not
compatible.

Conductivity change in the resistance 1. very simple limited suitability for

Probes between the two 2. low cost products of varying
conductors 3. suited for conductivity
dual or
multiple
point
control
Ultrasonic Sensor 15-200 kHz 1. not in 1. not suitable
direct for higher
contact pressures in a
with the vacuum and
product temperature
2. do not limits of up to
have any 170 degree
moving centigrade.
parts. 2. Relatively
3. Provide expensive
an almost
continuou
s reading

Hydrostatic high i. Accurate Conventional pressure

Pressure Sensors reliability transmitters
measurement Process pressure
simple transmitters
installation requires either Submersible pressure
transmitters
media with

constant

density or

continuous

density

measurement
 of the

medium.

REFERNCES
Learning instrumentation and control engineering “operating principle of non-contacting radar level sensor/gauge
(unguided)http://www.instrumentationtoolbox.com/2013/04/operating-principle-of-radar-level.html < Assessed on 2018 october 27>

Negative Temperature Coefficient Thermistors Part I: Characteristics, Materials, and Configurations by Gregg Lavenuta | May 1, 1997

D. McGillicuddy. Dec. 1993. "NTC Thermistor Basics and Principles of Operation," Sensors:42

Ametherm circuit protection thermistors www.ametherm.com/thermistor/what-is-an-ntc-thermistor< Assessed on 2018 october 27>

SMAR Industrial Automation http://www.smar.com/en/technical-article/pressure-measurement-characteristics-technologies-and-trends

http://instrumentationandcontrollers.blogspot.in/2011/01/how-to-measure-flow-using-orifice-meter.html< Assessed on 2018 october 27>

https://www.edgefx.in/6-different-types-of-temperature-sensors-with-their-specifications/< Assessed on 2018 october 27>

https://www.efxkits.co.uk/liquid-level-sensor-and-types-of-level-sensors

Indumart Inc. (2013) Level Measurement- Various technics of liquid-solid level measurements p. 5-7. Toronto, Canada

Enrico Bossart, Fundamentals of hydrostatic level measurement, WIKA Alexander Wiegand SE & Co. KG

Emerson Process Management (2009) Rosemount Annubar flow test data book. Emerson Process Management, USA.
Wright, J.D., (1998). The Long Term Calibration Stability Of Critical Flow Nozzles and Laminar Flowmeters. National Institute of
Standards and Technology. Gaithersburg, Maryland

Elbow Meter Bulletin, Primary Flow Signal, Incorporated- WORLD HEADQUARTERS 800 Wellington Avenue Cranston, RI 02910, USA,
2006 <http://www.primaryflowsignal.com>