What is the best way to measure the liquid level in a tank?

The best method to measure the liquid level in a tank needs to be selected considering several factors such as liquid characteristics, measurement accuracy, and environmental conditions. The following are common liquid level measurement methods to help you accurately match your needs:.

1. Non contact liquid level measurement: suitable for complex working conditions

1. Radar Level Sensor

Principle: Transmit microwave electromagnetic waves and calculate the liquid level height by measuring the time of reflected echoes.

Core advantages:

High precision: The accuracy can be as low as ± 1mm, suitable for high-precision liquid and solid applications such as oil, sewage foam,steam,slurry, chemical and food, coal, powder,etc. products.

Strong anti-interference: not affected by temperature, humidity, and steam, it can work stably in an environment of -40 ℃~200 ℃.

Long distance measurement: The range can reach 0.3~120 meters, suitable for large storage tanks (such as 100000 cubic meters of oil storage tanks).

Applicable scenarios: petroleum refining, LNG storage tanks, food and medicine (requiring explosion-proof certification scenarios).

Limitations: The initial cost is high, and installation needs to avoid obstacles inside the tank (such as agitators).

Ziasiot Radar Level Sensor Models:

2. Ultrasonic Level Sensor

Principle: ultrasonic level sensor is composed of a complete ultrasonic sensor and control circuit. The ultrasonic waves emitted by the ultrasonic sensor are reflected on the surface of the liquid, and the required time for return is calculated. The temperature effect during the ultrasonic transmission process is corrected by the temperature sensor, and converted into the distance between the liquid surface and the ultrasonic sensor. The 4mA-20mADC analog signal is displayed on the LCD and output to achieve remote reading of on-site instruments.

Core advantages:

High cost-effectiveness: The cost of non-contact solutions is relatively low, about 1/3 to 1/2 of that of radar sensors.

Flexible installation: Top installation is sufficient without the need for liquid intrusion, suitable for corrosive liquids such as sulfuric acid storage tanks.

Multi functional: capable of simultaneously measuring liquid level and distance, supporting open channel flow calculation.

Applicable scenarios: sewage treatment tanks, grain monitoring in grain warehouses, and small-scale chemical storage tanks.

Limitation: Affected by air temperature (temperature compensation is required), liquid level foam or steam will interfere with the echo.

Ziasiot Ultrasonic Level Sensor Model:

2. Contact liquid level measurement: suitable for conventional working conditions

1. Hydrostatic Level Sensor

Principle: To calculate the liquid level by measuring the hydrostatic pressure (ρ gh), the probe needs to be immersed in the liquid.

Core advantages:

The sensor has high sensitivity, fast response speed, can accurately reflect subtle changes in flowing or static liquid level, high measurement accuracy, and has the ability to safely expose and isolate exposure. It can be used in various hazardous areas. It has an anti blocking design that can measure the liquid level of paste like media. It is easy to install, convenient to use, and has strong interchangeability.

There are three types of indicator heads: 100% divided scale, LED, and LCD, which facilitate numerical reading. The 4-20mADC two-wire signal transmission has strong anti-interference ability and long transmission distance. Exquisite and unique zero point, temperature drift, and nonlinear compensation ensure the accuracy and long-term stability of the instrument within the range of usage conditions.

Low price, measuring range 0-1000 meters.

Applicable scenarios: groundwater monitoring, fire water tanks, small fuel tanks.

Limitations: Dependent on constant liquid density, unable to measure solids or slurries, requiring regular calibration.

Ziasiot Hydrostatic Level Sensor Model:

2. Capacitive Level Sensor

Principle: Capacitive level sensor measures the height of the liquid level by measuring the change in capacitance. It is a metal rod inserted into a liquid container, with the metal rod serving as one pole of the capacitor and the container wall serving as the other pole of the capacitor. The medium between the two electrodes is liquid and the gas above it. Capacitive level sensor can measure the level of liquid by the change in capacitance between two electrodes

Core advantages:

Specialized in measuring viscous liquids: superior to other sensors in measuring high viscosity media such as syrup and ink.

High temperature resistance: Some models can withstand temperatures up to 300 ℃ (such as asphalt storage tanks).

Interface detection: It can identify the oil-water stratification interface and is used for monitoring the liquid level of the separator.

Applicable scenarios: food sauce tanks, paint and coating storage tanks, petroleum separators.

Limitations: The difference in dielectric constant between liquid and air is significant, and transparent liquids may affect the signal.

Ziasiot Capacitive Level Sensor Model:

3. Traditional mechanical solution: suitable for low precision applications

Float Level Sensor

Principle: The float rises and falls with the liquid level and drives the pointer to display the liquid level through mechanical linkage or magnetic coupling.

Core advantages:

The mechanical structure is simple and low cost, but not suitable for liquids with viscosity or impurities.

Power free: pure mechanical operation, no need for power supply, suitable for remote areas (such as rural water towers).

Applicable: household water heaters, small water storage tanks, agricultural irrigation water tanks.

Limitations: Low accuracy (error ± 5mm), float easily gets stuck by impurities, and cannot transmit data remotely.

Ziasiot Float Level Sensor Model:

To satisfy the many industrial liquid level measurement applications, Ziasiot provides a variety of high-quality tank level sensors, such as ultrasonic, radar, guided wave, capacitive, hydrostatic level sensors, and others like rotary paddles, tuning forks, capacitive level switches, etc. These sensors are fantastic choices for anyone searching for a dependable liquid level measurement solution because of their reputation for dependability, precision, and longevity. We also supply custom service, pls contact the Ziasiot technical team based on liquid characteristics (density, viscosity, temperature), tank parameters (height, material), and output requirements (4-20mA, RS485, wireless transmission) to get the accurate selection recommendations, regardless of whether you work in the manufacturing, chemical, water treatment, or any other sector that needs precise liquid level monitoring.