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Case Study

This document describes a case study of using a pressure sensor for level control in a tank. The level in the tank is measured by a pressure sensor that converts the gauge pressure to a current signal. The flow into the tank is controlled by a valve whose position is determined by a current signal, which controls the flow rate. The pressure sensor, actuator, and process can be represented by block diagrams to model the first-order differential equation that describes the level control system.

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Pantheia Dadpou
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243 views7 pages

Case Study

This document describes a case study of using a pressure sensor for level control in a tank. The level in the tank is measured by a pressure sensor that converts the gauge pressure to a current signal. The flow into the tank is controlled by a valve whose position is determined by a current signal, which controls the flow rate. The pressure sensor, actuator, and process can be represented by block diagrams to model the first-order differential equation that describes the level control system.

Uploaded by

Pantheia Dadpou
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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A case study: Level control in a tank by using a pressure sensor

Fluid flow systems are significant in process engineering. Measuring the level in the tanks is
done by use of level sensors. These level sensors can be:
Pressure sensors. As measuring the gage pressure can determine the level.
Ultrasonic sensor: by measuring the time taken for the ultrasonic beam to be
deflected, the depth can be determined.
Capacitive level sensors that change the output voltage.
In this case study a pressure sensor is used.
The flow of the liquid is controlled by valve. The input signal to the valve is a current signal
in mA which is converted into pressure signal. This pressure is applied to the valve and
causes change in the position of the valve. Position of the valve determines the flow rate into
the tank. The height of liquid is measured by a transducer which produces an output in mA.
The picture of the system and the parameters are given below.





The transducer does not measure the level of the liquid directly. We know from physics that:
Pressure=density*g*head of the liquid
The transducer converts the gauge pressure to an electric current signal in mA. Below is the
block diagram of the pressure sensor.

The actuating system takes the control signal which is a current in mA and applies this to a
cureent to pressure transducer which determines a valve position. Below is the block diagram
of the actuator.


By combining these, we can obtain the block diagram for the process.

Rate of the change in liquid volume=inflow-outflow
This means that if inflow and outfrow were equal, the change in amount of liquid would be
zero.

Assumptions:
1) The cross section of tank is constant (A)
2) The outflow is proportional to the height of liquid. Q0(t)= h(t)/R
Where R is a parameter related to pipes resistance.
Applying these assumption to the differential equation , we have:


Now we have a first order differential equation for the system. Values of R and RA can be
calculated as follows:

K is the system gain and is a time constant for the system. Now equation can be written in
standard form:

Now we can apply Laplace transformation to this equation.


Assuming that h0=0



The block diagram of the transducer is shown below.
G1 represents the relationship between pressure and level.

For water:


Therefore G1=0.0981h (t) bar/m
G2 determines the relationship between pressure and current. It is found by considering the
ratio of the change in output to the change in input.




Now having G1 and G2, Since the system is linear, Gm=G1*G2



G(m)=54.4*0.0981=5.34

The actuator block diagram can be shown in below diagram:

G3: current to pressure converter. From the below table, G3 can be determined.



G4 determines the relationship between pressure and valve position


Let the diameter be 0.05 and the spring stiffness 188400.

G5 represents the position of the valve and the flow. Flow can be formulated as:





Gv=G3*G4*G5=0.0034
Complete block diagram









Simulink representation of the system







References:
Modelling in control engineering, http://www.palgravemacmillan.com.au/

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