Are Your Level Sensors Tanked?

Ultrasonic level sensors work by emitting an ultrasonic pulse, which is a high-frequency sound wave that is above the range of human hearing. When the pulse hits the surface of the fluid in the tank, it reflects off of the surface and returns to the sensor. The sensor is able to measure the time it takes for the pulse to travel to the surface of the fluid and back and uses this information to calculate the distance to the surface of the fluid. By knowing the distance to the surface of the fluid, the sensor is able to determine the level of the fluid in the tank.

Ultrasonic tank level sensors may fail when the ultrasonic signal is passing through a vapour because the vapour can absorb, scatter, or reflect the signal in unexpected ways. As a result, measurements may be imprecise or unreliable.

The ultrasonic tank level signal may be absorbed by the vapour if the vapour is formed of particles or molecules capable of absorbing the ultrasonic signal’s energy. As a result, the signal may be attenuated or weakened, as it travels through the vapour, resulting in erroneous results.

Another reason the vapour could scatter the ultrasonic tank level signal is if the vapour is made up of particles or molecules that can scatter the energy of the ultrasonic signal. As a result, the signal may be spread in various directions, making it more difficult for the sensor to detect the signal and possibly resulting in false measurements.

Finally, the ultrasonic signal may be reflected by the vapour if the vapour is made up of particles or molecules capable of reflecting the ultrasonic signal’s energy. The tank level signal may be reflected back to the sensor, resulting in erroneous readings or repeated echoes, which may lead the sensor to give inaccurate or unreliable data.

Overall, ultrasonic tank level sensors may fail when the ultrasonic signal passes through a vapour due to vapour absorption, dispersion, or reflection. As a result, measurements may be imprecise or unreliable.

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