Table 5-1

Level measurement comparison

Parameters
Fluid Types (Y=Yes, N=No, S=Sometimes)

Liquids Solids Meter output

Liquid-to-liquid

Slurries

Point sensing
Sticky moist

Continuous

Pneumatic
Electronic
Granular
Powdery
interface

sensing
Chunky
Clean

Foam
Measuring range Temperature range Pressure range Accuracy
Types
Differential pressure (static Y Y N N N N N S[1] Y Y Y Y 0-100 psi (0-690 kPa) [2] 400°F (205°C) max [2] 2000 psig (14 mPag) max [2] ±0.1 to 0.5% of full scale
head, hydrostatic)
Displacement Y[3] Y[3] N N N N N S Y Y Y N 60 in (1500 mm) [4] 800°F (425°C) max 300 psig (2100 KPag) max ±1/4'' (6 mm) or 0.25% of full scale
Float Y[3] Y[3] N N N N N N N Y Y[5] N [6] 800°F (425°C) max 300 psig(2100 KPag) max ±1/4'' (6 mm) or 0.25% of full scale
Sonic/Ultrasonic Y N S[29] S Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N 3–150 ft (1– 45 m) -40–300 °F (-40–149°C) 50 psig (350 KPag) max ±1– 2% [7] of full scale
Tape (float and tape) Y N N N N N N N Y Y Y Y 60 ft (20 m) max 300°F (150°C) max 300 psig (2100KPag) max ±1'' (25 mm)
Weight and Cable Y N N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 150 ft (50 m) max 0–140°F (-18– 60°C)[8] 5 psig (35 KPag) max ±1'' (25 mm)
Gauge (sight glass) Y [9] N N N N N N Y Y S[10] N glass gauges 2 ft (0.7 m) max glass gages 195°F (90°C) max 15 psig (100 KPag) max[11] ±1/4'' (6 mm)
armored gages 4 ft (1.5 m) max armored 660°F (350°C) max
Radioactive (nuclear) Y N N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N 15 ft (5 m) max[12] -40–140°F (-40–60°C)[13] unlimited (located outside tank) ±1/4'' (6 mm) (point measurement)
±1– 2% (continuous measurement)
Bubbler Y N N N N N N S Y Y Y Y [14] [15] atmospheric ±1 - 2% of full scale
Capacitance Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N - rod’ ;20 ft (7 m) max 840°F (450°C) max 7200 psig (50 MPag) max ±1/8'' (3 mm) (point measurement)
- cable; 90 ft (30 m) max ±1–2% (continuous measurement) per 3'
(1 m) length
Conductivity Y[16] S[17] S[16] S[18] S[18] S[18] S[18] Y N Y Y N 100 ft (30 m) max [19] 3000 psig (21 MPag) max ±1/8'' (3 mm)
Thermal Y N S N N N S S N Y Y N unlimited -76–221°F (-60–105°C) 3000 psig (21MPag) max ±1/4'' (6 mm)
Radar Y N S[29] Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N 120 ft. (40 m) max -76–750°F (-60–400°C) [20] ±0.1'' (±3 mm)
Beam breakers, photomet- Y[21] S[22] Y[23] Y Y S Y Y S Y Y N 21ft (7 m) max -27– 149°F (-35– 65°C) 80 psig (550 KPag) max ±2– 3% for broken beam
ric, light beams ± 1/16'' for reflected beam
Vibration Y N N Y[24] Y Y Y Y N Y Y N 45 ft(15 m) max -150–300°F (-100–150°C) 140 psig (1MPag) max ±1/8'' (3 mm)
Paddle wheel Y N N Y Y N Y N N Y Y N depends on installation 343°F (175°C) max 30 psig (210KPag) max ±1'' (25 mm)
Diaphragm Y N N Y Y N N N Y Y Y Y [25] 850°F (450°C) max atmospheric ±1–6 in (25–150 mm) [26]
Resistance Tape Y N N Y Y N N N Y Y Y Y 100 ft(30 m) max, [27] -13–797°F (-25–425°C) atmospheric ±4 in. (100 mm)
Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N
Level Measurement

Laser S[29] 1 ft to 5000 ft (0.3m to 1500m) 15-120°F (-10–50°C) [28] 600 psig (4200 KPag) max ±0.4 in. (10 mm)

Notes [1] through [29] on following page.