need a sensor to measure fluid level, of turbulent drilling mud
need a sensor to measure fluid level, of turbulent drilling mud
(OP)
Hi,
I'm in process of getting an impact and abrasion testing rig commisioned. It simulates some parameters seen when drilling...
It has a tank, full of drilling mud, which needs to be monitored. If the mud levels are too low, we need it to shutdown (via a computer system).
The sensor needs to be...
-Corrosion resistant
-Submersible
-Extremely durable
-Cheap
...and it must give a +/- 10V output, so we can hook it up to our rig operating system.
I have seen a few examples. Float devices aren't practical as the mud is sloshing about all over the place and ultrasonic sensors are most likely expensive.
Any ideas of what to go for?? I'm a materials engineer, so i have little experience in this!
Cheers,
Rich
I'm in process of getting an impact and abrasion testing rig commisioned. It simulates some parameters seen when drilling...
It has a tank, full of drilling mud, which needs to be monitored. If the mud levels are too low, we need it to shutdown (via a computer system).
The sensor needs to be...
-Corrosion resistant
-Submersible
-Extremely durable
-Cheap
...and it must give a +/- 10V output, so we can hook it up to our rig operating system.
I have seen a few examples. Float devices aren't practical as the mud is sloshing about all over the place and ultrasonic sensors are most likely expensive.
Any ideas of what to go for?? I'm a materials engineer, so i have little experience in this!
Cheers,
Rich





RE: need a sensor to measure fluid level, of turbulent drilling mud
RE: need a sensor to measure fluid level, of turbulent drilling mud
say, the mud level gets too low, we need a sensor to detect that, send a signal (10V) to the computer. The computer then shuts the test rig off, to prevent damage to specimins and the machine!
any ideas?
RE: need a sensor to measure fluid level, of turbulent drilling mud
Air is released through a small orifice into a tube that extends to the bottom of the tank. The head or level is inferred from the air pressure in the tube. It is fail safe in that if the air supply fails, the pressure drops and the system shuts down on low level.
Bill
--------------------
"Why not the best?"
Jimmy Carter
RE: need a sensor to measure fluid level, of turbulent drilling mud
RE: need a sensor to measure fluid level, of turbulent drilling mud
There are also a myriad of submersible pressure transducers as well all of which were designed to replace bubbler systems. The drawback to a bubbler is that it needs a compressed air source and if you don't have one, adding even a small cheap compressor adds a LOT of failure possibilities and maintenance. The pressure transducers work basically the same way; they are submerged into the slop and have a membrane over a strain gauge that gives a signal to a transducer in your control panel which provides a proportional analog output r set point relay closures.
Do a search for "wet well level transducers" and you will find thousands of choices.
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RE: need a sensor to measure fluid level, of turbulent drilling mud
Any reason you can't use a sealed pressure transducer on the outside of the tank with a flexible membrane on the tank wall? More mud creates greater pressure against membrane, causing sealed pressure transducer to recognize level.
Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com
RE: need a sensor to measure fluid level, of turbulent drilling mud
TTFN
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RE: need a sensor to measure fluid level, of turbulent drilling mud
If you need analog a capacitance probe or flange mounted DP as Mackgyvers suggested
Roy
RE: need a sensor to measure fluid level, of turbulent drilling mud
RE: need a sensor to measure fluid level, of turbulent drilling mud
You may have to wire in a time delay circuit to average out the sloshing but theya are very rugged.
RE: need a sensor to measure fluid level, of turbulent drilling mud
We use Prosonic M type,it's very reliable and work's perfect.Float devices are not the best solution,neither pressure transducers especially if specific density of the mud is changing