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    Interface Level Measurement Displacer and DP Transmitter

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    Bobismy Alterego Bob
    This document compares displacer and differential pressure transmitters for measuring interface level in a medium pressure separator. It finds that while displacer transmitters are more sensitive, differential pressure transmitters provide more stable outputs and less standard deviation. The presence of emulsion layers affects displacer transmitters more strongly by making the float rise as if the upper fluid density increased. Overall, differential pressure transmitters demonstrated better control performance and less deviation from setpoints for interface level measurement in the separator.

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    Interface Level Measurement Displacer and DP Transmitter

    Uploaded by

    Bobismy Alterego Bob
    5K views4 pages
    This document compares displacer and differential pressure transmitters for measuring interface level in a medium pressure separator. It finds that while displacer transmitters are more sensitive, differential pressure transmitters provide more stable outputs and less standard deviation. The presence of emulsion layers affects displacer transmitters more strongly by making the float rise as if the upper fluid density increased. Overall, differential pressure transmitters demonstrated better control performance and less deviation from setpoints for interface level measurement in the separator.

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    This document compares displacer and differential pressure transmitters for measuring interface level in a medium pressure separator. It finds that while displacer transmitters are more sensitive, differential pressure transmitters provide more stable outputs and less standard deviation. The presence of emulsion layers affects displacer transmitters more strongly by making the float rise as if the upper fluid density increased. Overall, differential pressure transmitters demonstrated better control performance and less deviation from setpoints for interface level measurement in the separator.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    5K views4 pages

    Interface Level Measurement Displacer and DP Transmitter

    Uploaded by

    Bobismy Alterego Bob
    This document compares displacer and differential pressure transmitters for measuring interface level in a medium pressure separator. It finds that while displacer transmitters are more sensitive, differential pressure transmitters provide more stable outputs and less standard deviation. The presence of emulsion layers affects displacer transmitters more strongly by making the float rise as if the upper fluid density increased. Overall, differential pressure transmitters demonstrated better control performance and less deviation from setpoints for interface level measurement in the separator.

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    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 4

    Interface Level Measurement Comparison Between Displacer and Differential Pressure Type Level Transmitter: A Case Study on Medium

    Pressure (MP) Separator


    M Iqbal Matondang Hess Indonesia PL Development. Email: [email protected]

    Abstract. The usefulness of a level controller depends on the ability to detect and control it. Proper design for separators level measurement and control is important because separation vessel is normally the initial processing vessel at any facilities. This paper focused on comparison between displacer and differential pressure type level transmitter for Interface level measurement on medium pressure (MP) Separator. Keywords: Interface level measurement, specific gravity, Emulsion, Calibration, Commissioning

    The liquid colecting section of the vessel provides sufficient time so that the oil and emulsion form a layer or oil pad at the top, and water settles to the bottom. To control the oil and water interface level. The level of the water is controlled by level controller that operates the water dump valve. The oil is skimmed over the weir and the level of the oil downstream of the weir is controlled by level controller that operates the oil dump valve. The usefulness of a level controller depends solely on the ability to detect and control it.

    1. Introduction
    Separator where mainly designed for mechanically separate liquid hydrocarbon and gases at specific temperature and pressure.

    2. Fluid Interface Level Measurement


    Displacer and differential pressure level transmitter are among the most common technologies used to measure a liquid interface (such as oil and water) level. However variable process condition can effect the reability of each device. Changing specific gravities, dielectric constant, present emulsion layer and vapor layer must be taken into consideration when deciding upon a technology. The reability of the chosen instrument will be based on how well the users trust the device and information obtained from it..

    2.1 Displacer Level Transmitter


    Changing process liquid level will causes the displacer element. Which is supported by a spring. To rise and fall. An armature, located in the pressure tube of the head, is directly linked to the displacer and move vertically with the displacer element. In the enclosure, linear variable differential transformer provides an output proportional to the position of the armature. The displacer length is determined by the operating range specified, specific gravity, pressure, and temperature of the process.

    Figure 1 - Horizontal three phase separator schematic The fluid enters the separator and hits an inlet diverter causing a sudden change in momentum. The force of gravity causes the liquid droplets to fall out of the gas stream ti the bottom of the vessel and separate liquid and vapor . This force the liquid (mixture of oil and water) to mix with the water continous phase in the bottom of the vessel and rise through the oil water interface.

    2.2 Differential pressure level transmitter


    The basic measurement of differential pressure level transmitter is pressure proportional to level. The head pressure of the liquid corresponds to its height multipled by the specific gravity. When the process is corrosive, contains solid, or the process temperature outside the operating limit. Transmitter with remote seals is recommended so that the transmitter can be removed from direct contact with the process fluid

    Figure 3 MP Separators Displacer and Differential Pressure level transmitter installation

    2.3 Calibration and Commissioning


    The displacer and DP type level transmitters is installed in the same typical interface configuration. Each of these transmitters was placed in the same elevation, the upper tapping point is in the same elevation with the weir inside the MP separator (1443mm) and the lower tapping point is in -273 mm below the bottom side of the MP separator. The Oil (oily water) had a specific gravity of 0.93 and the water had a specific gravity of 1.1 as per sample from laboratory. Displacer was calibrated by filling the water into the displacer, and apply calibrating level equal to the lower of zero level of displacer (shown as level indicator) and adjust zero so that output read 4 mA. Span is adjusted by filling the water equal to 100% level of displacer DP level transmitter was calibrated by calculating the URV and span, To ensure the output is linear, pressure is injected equal to upper and lower range values To determine the type of seal liquid specific gravity, the maximum length of DP transmitter tapping point must be covered in the range of transmitter / specific gravity seal liquid. In this case seal liquid fluid Silicone 200 (Sf = 0.934) was selected since it covered the maximum length of DP transmitter (within 250 to 250 inH2O) Actual tapping point in the field is (-270mm) and measurement length start from +224 mm, so there is 494 mm deviation from actual measurement. DP 4 mA

    Figure 2 Displacer and Differential Pressure level transmitter for interface level

    is equal to 494 mm. DP 20 mA is equal to 1443 + 494 = 1937 mm L = 1937 mm S1 = 1.1 S2 = 0.9 Sf = 0.934 Where L = The measured level S1 = specific gravity of the heavier liquid S2 = specific gravity of the lighter liquid Sf = specific gravity of the seal liquid When tank is fully filled with lighter fluid S2 , L2 =L= h 4 mA = L2 S2 h Sf = -65.585 mm H2 O When tank is fully filled with lighter fluid S1 , L1 =L= h 20 mA = L1 S1 h Sf = 321.54 mm H2 O Calibrated span of transmitter is 65.585 to 322.54 mm H2 O

    Figure 5 Interface level measurement Displacer and DP type trending

    2.4.1 Measure of Control Performance


    To determine whether control performance is up to expectations. The actual deviation (variability) is used to define performance. Variability is measure statistically by using standard error, the root mean square of deviation from the setpoint. If the loop not biased, standard error is equal to standard deviation around the mean value effectiveness. Figure 5 shows the level measurement values, DP transmitter interface level measurement had 43 % as the mean value with 2.22 % standard of deviation shows percentage of frequency DP transmitter interface
    Mean = 43% Standar Deviation = 2.22 % Number of sample = 50 45% 40% 35%

    2.4 MP Separator Interface Level Measurement Trending and Effect of Process


    In a production environment. The action of the process will create an emulsion layer between the layers of interface. For a transmitter, the process will appear as three layers of liquid with two interfaces. The emulsion layer have its own specific gravity and dielectric constant. The extra layer affects each transmitter differently. Fig 4 and 5 shows Reading comparison interface level measurement between displacer and DP transmitters. Note that PID tuning parameter and control valve fluctuation also affect the deviation of the interface level measurement from the set point

    Frequency of occurence

    30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% 38 39 40 41 44 48 44 45 46 49 50 DP Transmitter interface level transmitter value (%)

    Figure 5 Graph DP transmitter interface level measurement vs percentage of frequency

    Figure 4. Level interface level measurement trending

    Figure 6 shows the level measurement values, Displacer transmitter interface level measurement had 48.73 % as the mean value with 7.98 % standard of deviation shows percentage of frequency DP transmitter interface

    displacer level type but DP level transmitter had better control performance and less deviation from the setpoint.

    4. References
    [1] ISA Practical Guides for Measurement and Control, Friedmann.p, Stoltenberg. T, 2000 [2] Surface Production Operation vol 1, Maurice Stewart PhD, PE, Ken Arnold PE, ButterworthHeinemann, 1999 [3] API Recommended Practice 551 Process Measurement Instrumentation, First edition, May 1993

    Mean = 48.73 Standard deviation = 7.98 Number of sample = 50


    40% 35%

    Frequency of occurrence

    30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% 20 25 28 30 39 41 44 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 Displacer interface measurement value (%)

    5. About the Author


    M Iqbal Matondang obtain B.S in Engineering Physic from Institut Teknologi Bandung, 2006. He has over 5 years of experienced in the oil and gas project. Currently he works for Hess Indonesia Pangkah Limited (third party) as an Instrumented Engineer [email protected], [email protected]

    Figure 6 Graph Displacer transmitter interface level measurement vs percentage of frequency

    Graphics above shows DP transmitter is less sensitive compare to displacer level meter since the calculation for interface level measurement is based on the difference of the liquid densities, and the difference is very small. External factors such as temperature affect the remote seals and capillaries, and produce side effects that prevent the desired accuracy. But DP transmitter give more stable output and less standard deviation statistically compare to displacer level transmitter. Displacer level meter trend shows a bigger deviation because the output is based on the position of the float used. When the emulsion created, the float will act as if the specific gravity of the upper fluid has become denser and rise higher in the process and give deviation to the measurement.

    3. Conclusion
    The efficiency of an interface in a production process will depend upon the reability of its measurement. Control performance of each type of level transmitter is measured statistically by using standard deviation as a parameter of deviation from the set point.

    Ease of operation and reaction to process changes for interface level measurement clearly demonstrated by

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