GB2473310A - Measurement of rapid variation in pressure or volume in a reservoir - Google Patents

Measurement of rapid variation in pressure or volume in a reservoir Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2473310A
GB2473310A GB1007585A GB201007585A GB2473310A GB 2473310 A GB2473310 A GB 2473310A GB 1007585 A GB1007585 A GB 1007585A GB 201007585 A GB201007585 A GB 201007585A GB 2473310 A GB2473310 A GB 2473310A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
liquid
reservoir
column
level
volume
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB1007585A
Other versions
GB2473310B (en
GB201007585D0 (en
Inventor
Jean-Jacques Bougy
Julien Vallayer
Boguslaw Lorecki
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Bertin Technologies SAS
Original Assignee
Bertin Technologies SAS
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Bertin Technologies SAS filed Critical Bertin Technologies SAS
Publication of GB201007585D0 publication Critical patent/GB201007585D0/en
Publication of GB2473310A publication Critical patent/GB2473310A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2473310B publication Critical patent/GB2473310B/en
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01D—MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE; ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEASURING TWO OR MORE VARIABLES NOT COVERED IN A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS; TARIFF METERING APPARATUS; MEASURING OR TESTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01D1/00—Measuring arrangements giving results other than momentary value of variable, of general application
    • G01D1/12—Measuring arrangements giving results other than momentary value of variable, of general application giving a maximum or minimum of a value
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
    • G01F22/00—Methods or apparatus for measuring volume of fluids or fluent solid material, not otherwise provided for
    • G01F22/02—Methods or apparatus for measuring volume of fluids or fluent solid material, not otherwise provided for involving measurement of pressure
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
    • G01F23/00—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm
    • G01F23/0046—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm with a stationary probe, where a liquid specimen is separated from the mean mass and measured
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
    • G01F23/00—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm
    • G01F23/02—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by gauge glasses or other apparatus involving a window or transparent tube for directly observing the level to be measured or the level of a liquid column in free communication with the main body of the liquid
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
    • G01F23/00—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm
    • G01F23/14—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measurement of pressure
    • G01F23/16—Indicating, recording, or alarm devices being actuated by mechanical or fluid means, e.g. using gas, mercury, or a diaphragm as transmitting element, or by a column of liquid
    • G01F23/162—Indicating, recording, or alarm devices being actuated by mechanical or fluid means, e.g. using gas, mercury, or a diaphragm as transmitting element, or by a column of liquid by a liquid column
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01L—MEASURING FORCE, STRESS, TORQUE, WORK, MECHANICAL POWER, MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY, OR FLUID PRESSURE
    • G01L23/00—Devices or apparatus for measuring or indicating or recording rapid changes, such as oscillations, in the pressure of steam, gas, or liquid; Indicators for determining work or energy of steam, internal-combustion, or other fluid-pressure engines from the condition of the working fluid
    • G01L23/06—Indicating or recording by optical means
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01L—MEASURING FORCE, STRESS, TORQUE, WORK, MECHANICAL POWER, MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY, OR FLUID PRESSURE
    • G01L23/00—Devices or apparatus for measuring or indicating or recording rapid changes, such as oscillations, in the pressure of steam, gas, or liquid; Indicators for determining work or energy of steam, internal-combustion, or other fluid-pressure engines from the condition of the working fluid
    • G01L23/08—Devices or apparatus for measuring or indicating or recording rapid changes, such as oscillations, in the pressure of steam, gas, or liquid; Indicators for determining work or energy of steam, internal-combustion, or other fluid-pressure engines from the condition of the working fluid operated electrically

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Measurement Of Levels Of Liquids Or Fluent Solid Materials (AREA)

Abstract

Method for measuring a variation in pressure or in volume in a reservoir (10) containing a liquid and connected via a passage (18) to a measuring column (20) partially filled with liquid. The method uses a means for lighting (24) and a means (22) for image taking in order to detect the first peaks of the oscillations of the level of liquid in the column (20) caused by a variation in pressure or in volume in the reservoir (10). A solenoid valve arrangement is placed in the passage between the reservoir and column for controlling the flow of liquid between them. In an alternative embodiment the liquid level may be measured via CCD camera, photo-electric, capacitive or ultra-sonic level sensors.

Description

METHOD AND DEVICE FOR RAPIDLY MEASURING A VARIATION IN
PRESSURE OR IN VOLUME IN A RESERVOIR
The invention relates to a method and a device for rapidly measuring a variation in pressure or in volume in a reservoir containing a liquid.
When a reservoir containing a liquid is connected according to the principle of communicating vessels to a column containing liquid and the volume of the liquid contained in the reservoir is varied, for example because the pressure has increased in the reservoir, the variations in the height of the liquid in the column correspond to the variations in the volume of the liquid contained in the reservoir, with a proportionality ratio equal to the ratio of the horizontal sections of the reservoir and of the column.
When the variation of the volume of liquid in the reservoir is rapid, oscillations of the level of liquid in the column are produced. The end of these oscillations must be waited for, which generates a relatively high loss of time, before being able to take a precise measurement of the height of liquid in the column, from which information can be deduced such as the variation in the volume or in the pressure in the reservoir.
This invention has in particular the purpose of providing a simple and satisfactory solution to this problem, by making possible a rapid and precise measurement of the variations in pressure or in volume in a reservoir of the aforementioned type.
It proposes for this purpose a method for measuring a variation in pressure or in volume in a reservoir containing a liquid and connected by a passage of liquid to a column containing a liquid, characterised in that it consists, subsequent to a variation in pressure or in volume in the reservoir resulting in oscillations of the level of liquid in the column, in detecting at least the first peak of oscillations of the level of liquid in the column and in deducing from this, by comparison with calibration measurements, the variation in the pressure or in the volume of liquid in the reservoir.
When the variations in volume in the reservoir occur in substantially identical and reproducible conditions, for example by the intake of a volume of gas under pressure into an enclosed reservoir,, the determination of the first peak of oscillation of the level of liquid in the column is sufficient to determine with precision the volume of gas admitted to the reservoir, subject to a prior calibration consisting in the intake of known volumes of gas at a known pressure into the reservoir and measuring the corresponding heights of liquid in the column.
Measuring the first peak of oscillation of the level of liquid in the column can be carried out rapidly, in a few tens of millLiseccnds approximately, according to experimental conditions.
Possibly, in order to refine the measurement, the invention provides for detecting at least the first two peaks of oscillation of the level of liquid in the column and deducing from this the variation in pressure or in volume of liquid in the reservoir.
This detection of the first two peaks of oscillation of the level of liquid in the column makes it possible to substantially improve the precision with which the variation in pressure or in volume in the reservoir is measured.
Moreover, when these measurements must be taken repetitively at a high rate, after the measurement the reservoir must be opened in order to release the gas that was previously admitted, and allow a certain quantity of the liquid contained in the column to return to the reservoir, which can result in oscillations in the level of liquid in the reservoir, and wait for the end of these oscillations before intake of gas under pressure again in the reservoir for a new measurement.
In order to accelerate this process, the method according to the invention further consists in opening the reservoir and in closing the passage of liquid between the reservoir and the column at least one time after the measurement when the levels of liquid in the reservoir and in the column are substantially identical.
As such, a high rate of measurements can be attained, since the level of liquid in the reservoir is stabilised by avoiding these oscillations.
The invention also proposes a device for the execution of this method, this device comprising a reservoir of liquid, a measuring column, a passage of liquid connecting the reservoir to the column and means for measuring the level of liquid in the column, characterised in that it further comprises means for opening and closing the passage of liquid and means for controlling these means for opening and closing according to the level of liquid in the column.
In a first embodiment, these means for opening and closing include at least one all-or-nothing solenoid valve.
In an alternative embodiment, these means for opening and closing include two solenoid valves mounted in parallel and in opposite directions.
In another alternative embodiment, the means for opening and closing inolLude a chamber filled with liquid and connected by ducts to the reservoir and to the column, a valve movable in the chamber between an open position and a closed position of the discharge of one of the ducts in the chamber, and electromagnetic means for displacing the valve between these two positions.
According to another characteristic of the invention, the column is transparent and the means for detecting the level of liquid in the column include means for lighting the column, for example with backscattered light, and means of image taking, such as for example a CCD or analogous camera, placed on either side of the column.
Alternatively, the means for detecting the level of liquid in the column include an ultrasonic sensor immersed in the column and directed towards the free surface of the liquid in the column.
In another alternative, these means for detecting the level of liquid in the column can include photoelectric or capacitive sensors, for all-or-nothing measurements.
The invention shall be better understood and other characteristics, details and advantages of the latter shall appear more clearly when reading the following description, provided by way of example in reference to the annexed drawings wherein: -figure 1 diagrammatically shows a device for measuring according to the invention; -figure 2 diagrammatically shows an alternative embodiment of this device; -figure 3 is a graph representing oscillations according to time of the level of liquid in a column of a device according to the invention; -figures 4, 5 and 6 diagrammatically show other alternative embodiments of the device according to the invention.
Reference is first made to figure 1 wherein the reference 10 designates a closed reservoir comprising in the upper portion an input 12 of a gas under pressure and an exhaust valve 14.
The reservoir is partially filled with a liquid 16 and its lower portion is connected by a duct 18 to a vertical column 20 partially filled with a liquid, advantageously the same as that contained in the reservoir 10 and the duct 18.
Initially, the reservoir 10 being at atmospheric pressure and the upper end of the column 20 being open, the levels of liquid in the reservoir 10 and the column are identical.
Means are provided to detect the variations in height of the level of liquid in the column 20, these means comprising for example a CCD or analogous camera 22 and means for lighting 24, for example backscattered, the camera 22 and the means for lighting 24 being placed one across from the other and on either side of the column 20, in such a way that the variations of the level of liquid in the column 20 are in the field of the camera 22.
The duct 18 is provided with a solenoid valve 26 which, in the position shown, makes possible a communication of liquid between the reservoir 10 and the column 20. This solenoid valve 26 is controlled by means 28 for processing information, for example of the PC or analogous type, of which an input receives the output signals from the camera 22.
This device is used in the following way: the reservoir 12 being at atmospheric pressure, the levels of liquid in this reservoir and in the column 20 are identical. The exhaust valve 14 being closed, a certain quantity of gas under pressure is admitted as 12 into the reservoir 10, which is going to have for effect the lowering of the level of the liquid 16 in the reservoir of the line shown as a dotted line to the level shown as a solid line, and conversely of raising the level of liquid in the column 20.
If the intake of the gas into the reservoir 10 is rapid, oscillations are produced in the level of liquid in the column 20 shown diagrammatically by the graph in figure 3.
These oscillations are dampened more or less rapidly and are stabilised after a certain period of time at a value N. The difference between this value N and the initial level of liquid in the column 20 makes it possible to determine the volume of gas admitted into the reservoir 10. However, the duration of the damping of the oscillations of the level of liquid in the column 20 can take a certain period of time, for example of 10 or 15 seconds.
In order to accelerate the measurements, the invention provides for detecting the level of the first peak of oscillation P1 and for deducing from it the volume of gas admitted into the reservoir 10, by comparison of the measurement with calibration values determined beforehand, for example by the intake of known volumes of gas at a known pressure into the reservoir 10 and measurement of the levels corresponding to the first peak P1.
The measurement is then carried out in a few tens of milliseconds approximately.
In order to improve the precision of the determination of the volume of gas admitted to the reservoir 10, the level corresponding to the second peak of oscillation P2 can also be measured and possibly the level corresponding to the third peak P3, if enough time is available, and, as hereinabove, deducing from it the sought value N by comparison with calibration values recorded beforehand.
If this type of measurement needs to be repeated at a relatively high rate, we proceed in the following manner: after acquisition of the levels corresponding to the peak P1 (or to the peaks P1 and P2 or to the peaks P1, P2 and P3), exhaust valve 14 is opened, the level of the liquid is allowed to rise again in the reservoir 10 approximately to its initial level, corresponding to the initial level in the column 20, then the solenoid valve 26 is controlled in order to close the communication between the reservoir 16 and the column 20. As such the oscillations of the level of liquid in the reservoir 10 which would normally accompany the return of the liquid into this reservoir when the exhaust valve 14 is opened are avoided. If necessary, the solenoid valve 26 can be reopened and closed again, one or several times, in order to stabilise the level of liquid.
More preferably a solenoid valve 26 is used having a short total response time, for example less than 5Oms.
In figure 2, an alternative embodiment of the means for detecting the level of liquid in the column 20 has been shown diagrammatically, these means comprising an ultrasound sensor 30 which is mounted in a chamber 32 filled with liquid at the base of the column 20 and which is directed towards the free surface of the liquid in the column 20. The ultrasound sensor 30 is used as an emitter and as a receiver as well, and picks up the echoes corresponding to the reflection of an ultrasonic beam on the free surface of the liquid in the column 20, with the travel time of the ultrasound in the liquid making it possible to determine the height of the liquid in the column 20.
In the alternative embodiment in figure 4, the same device is found, but provided with a means for detecting the level of liquid in the column 20 which operates on an all-or-nothing basis, i.e. that makes it possible only to determine whether or not a liquid is present in the column 20 at the height where it is placed.
For example a capacitive sensor 34 or photoelectric means can be used for this, comprising an emitter 36 and a receiver 38 placed on either side of the column 20, the reception of a signal by the receiver 38 being possible only in the absence of liquid in the column 20 at the position of the receiver.
Possibly, in this alternative embodiment and in the previous embodiments, a floater 40 of an appropriate type can be provided on the free surface of the liquid in the column 20, in order to facilitate the detection.
Figure 5 diagrammatically shows an alternative embodiment wherein, in order to improve the rapidity of a transfer of liquid in one direction and in the other between the reservoir 10 and the column 20, the solenoid valve 26 used hereinabove has been replaced with two solenoid valves 42 mounted in parallel and in opposite directions.
It has been observed indeed that the solenoid valves available off the shelf have in general a favoured direction of passage and that the passage of the liquid in the opposite direction results in a greater loss of head.
The two solenoid valves 42 mounted in parallel and in opposite directions thus make it possible to accelerate the transfer of the liquid of the reservoir 10 towards the column 20 for one and from the column 20 towards the reservoir 10 for the other.
These solenoid valves can also be replaced with a device such as that shown in figure 6 which is designed to cause a minimal loss of head in the liquid when it is opened.
This device comprises a small chamber 44 of which one portion is connected via a duct 46 to the reservoir and of which another portion is connected via a duct 48 to the column 20; this duct 48 might also be the lower portion of the column 20.
A spherical closure 50 can be moved inside the chamber 44 between a closed position where it blocks the discharge of the duct 46, shown as a dotted line, and an open position shown as a solid line. This closure 50 can be displaced between these two positions by means of an electromagnetic actuator 52, connected to the closure 50 by a cylindrical rod 54 guided in bearings 56 mounted in an extension of the chamber 44, the rod 54 being moreover provided with seals 58 in order to avoid any leakage of liquid along this rod.
In the chamber 44, the free space surrounding the spherical closure 50 is at least equal to the section of the ducts 46 and 48. s such, as soon as the closure 50 is in the open position, the passage of liquid can take place between the conduits 46 and 48 with a minimal loss of head.
GB1007585.1A 2009-05-26 2010-05-06 Method and device for rapidly measuring a variation in pressure or in volume in a reservoir Expired - Fee Related GB2473310B (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0902528A FR2946138B1 (en) 2009-05-26 2009-05-26 METHOD AND DEVICE FOR RAPID MEASUREMENT OF PRESSURE OR VOLUME VARIATION IN A RESERVOIR

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GB201007585D0 GB201007585D0 (en) 2010-06-23
GB2473310A true GB2473310A (en) 2011-03-09
GB2473310B GB2473310B (en) 2013-10-09

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GB (1) GB2473310B (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102013111796A1 (en) * 2013-10-25 2015-04-30 Dominik Niedenzu sensor device
CN107774013A (en) * 2016-08-25 2018-03-09 台州道致科技有限公司 A kind of liquid separation method and device of immiscible liquid

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2016196504A1 (en) 2015-06-01 2016-12-08 Digital Hospital, Inc. Dosage confirmation apparatus
CN105607661A (en) * 2015-12-21 2016-05-25 南宁学院 Liquid level control system based on image identification
JP6238254B2 (en) * 2016-05-12 2017-11-29 株式会社明治 Method and apparatus for detecting solid-liquid distribution in solid-liquid separation column of solid-liquid separator

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4297081A (en) * 1979-11-05 1981-10-27 Irvin William A Liquid level control system
CN201126389Y (en) * 2007-12-17 2008-10-01 匡正芳 Photoreading U-shaped glass pressure meter

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH97789A (en) * 1916-10-13 1923-02-16 Hunziker Franz Liquid level indicator.
FR2230980B1 (en) * 1973-05-22 1976-04-23 Stop Sa
FR2713336B1 (en) * 1993-11-29 1996-03-01 Ribes Pierre Device for measuring the level of the liquid contained in several tanks not connected to each other.

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4297081A (en) * 1979-11-05 1981-10-27 Irvin William A Liquid level control system
CN201126389Y (en) * 2007-12-17 2008-10-01 匡正芳 Photoreading U-shaped glass pressure meter

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102013111796A1 (en) * 2013-10-25 2015-04-30 Dominik Niedenzu sensor device
CN107774013A (en) * 2016-08-25 2018-03-09 台州道致科技有限公司 A kind of liquid separation method and device of immiscible liquid

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2946138A1 (en) 2010-12-03
GB2473310B (en) 2013-10-09
GB201007585D0 (en) 2010-06-23
FR2946138B1 (en) 2011-07-01

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PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20190506