Diesel tank level measurement is very important. Accurate and real-time monitoring of diesel fuel level can ensure the safety of industrial production and save the cost of enterprises. Generally speaking, commonly used sensors for measuring diesel level are Ultrasonic Diesel Tank Fuel Level Meters and Radar Diesel Tank Fuel Level Sensors, etc.
This post introduces how to measure the level of the fuel tank and the knowledge of the common Diesel Tank Fuel Level Sensor. I believe you will have an in-depth understanding of diesel fuel level measurement after reading this article.
What is a Diesel Tank?
Diesel fuel is a flammable and explosive medium. Diesel fuel has high viscosity and is prone to accumulating. When diesel fuel is stored in the tank for a certain period of time, it will produce scum, which will cause some interference to the level measurement. Diesel fuel contains impurities and catalysts that cause corrosion, chemical reactions and other problems. These factors will also have an impact on the accurate measurement of the liquid level.
Many industrial and trade enterprises often use diesel fuel in the actual production process. Part of the diesel fuel is specifically for forklift refueling. And it is used as fuel for diesel generators. All of the above situations are inseparable from the storage of diesel fuel. Most of the diesel fuel is stored in diesel fuel tanks. We can be categorized according to the location of diesel fuel tanks. They can be divided into above-ground storage tanks, underground storage tanks, semi-underground storage tanks, marine storage tanks, submarine storage tanks and so on.
Read More about: Oil Level Sensor for Industrial Oil Tank Level Measurement and Tank Level Control in Industrial.
Top 6 Diesel Tank Fuel Level Sensors
There are various ways to measure fuel level. We can use different Diesel Tank Fuel Level Sensors to measure the level. You can also choose a level switch to control the diesel level. Sino-Inst offers the following Diesel Tank Level Sensors:
Float Level Sensor
It consists of a float, an insertion rod, and so on. A float level meter is installed on the top of the container through the connection flange. The float floats on the liquid surface according to the principle of equal volume of the discharged liquid, etc. When the liquid level of the container changes, the float moves up and down. Due to the magnetic effect, the reed of the float level meter is magnetically attracted. The liquid level position changes into an electrical signal. The float level meter is used to achieve the liquid level of long-distance detection and control.
Radar Level Sensor
It is an intelligent measuring instrument. It adopts a modular structure and field bus technology. It has good compatibility and openness, and has self-calibration and self-diagnosis ability. Its principle is to apply the microwave incident to the liquid surface after the reflected wave, measure the electromagnetic wave from the emission to the reflection of the time difference to calculate the electromagnetic wave propagation distance, and to measure the liquid level. It is a new type of non-contact liquid level measurement instrument.
Read More about: An Overview of Radar Level Transmitter
Stainless Steel Submersible Level Sensor
A stainless steel submersible level sensor is also called a hydrostatic level sensor. Since the hydrostatic pressure of a liquid is proportional to the liquid height, we can determine the liquid level by measuring the pressure.
Read More about: Submersible Level Transmitter – Level & Pressure Measurement
Magnetostrictive Level Transmitter
Magnetostrictive Level Transmitter works by utilizing the principle of magnetostriction. It measures the liquid level height by measuring the magnetic field change caused by the liquid level change. A magnetostrictive level Sensor consists of a magnetostrictive rod and a magnetic field strength sensor. The magnetostrictive bar is made of a metal rod with magnetostrictive properties. And its two ends are connected to the magnetic field strength sensor and the transmitter, respectively. When the liquid level changes, the magnetic field strength also changes, which causes the length of the magnetostrictive rod to change. The change will be converted into an electrical signal output. So we can calculate the liquid level height.
Ultrasonic Liquid Level Meter
Sino-Inst offers two types of ultrasonic level Meters. When diesel tanks are allowed to be drilled, the explosion-proof ultrasonic level meter can be installed directly above the tank. The other is the external level meter, which can be directly attached to the outside of the diesel tank to measure the liquid level.
Ultrasonic Liquid Level Meter consists of a main unit, a probe and metal structural parts. It is mainly used for liquid level measurement of railroad tank cars, automobile tank cars and horizontal tanks. The principle of the ultrasonic level meter is to use ultrasonic waves outside the tank to penetrate the tank wall and liquid, and measure the liquid level height by receiving the echo signal from the liquid surface.
Read More about: An Overview of Ultrasonic Level Switches
Differential Pressure Level Sensor
A differential pressure transmitter measures and calculates the pressure difference between two points and sends this information to a programmable logic computer (PLC) via a signal.
It calculates the liquid level based on the difference in pressure at different heights within the liquid. The calculation formula is:
Pressure per unit area = Liquid level × Liquid specific gravity
Because pressure above the container (liquid surface) may affect the measurement result, a differential pressure transmitter is required to simultaneously measure the pressure above and below the liquid surface and offset it (measuring the differential pressure) to determine the liquid level.
Sino-Inst Featured Diesel Tank Fuel Level Sensors
How to Measure Diesel Level?
We can use different level sensors to measure the diesel level. Different level sensors are available for different configurations. And Sino-Inst recommends cost-effective level meters for underground and above-ground tanks.
The general measurement process is that the level meter converts the level into an electronic signal. The electronic signal can be transmitted to a secondary instrument for data analysis and storage. We can monitor the liquid level height in real time.
An underground diesel tank level meter can choose a float level meter and an input hydrostatic level meter. According to the specific size of the working conditions, we can choose a more cost-effective instrument.
Ground tank level measurement can choose a radar level meter or an ultrasonic level meter. Because of their high precision, the measurement is more stable. But relative to the magnetic flap level meter and float level meter, the price is slightly higher.
For the 30m high large tank, we can choose the split radar level meter and the external ultrasonic level meter. We are able to monitor and analyze data remotely and in real time.
Mechanical Diesel Fuel Tank Level Sensor VS Electronic Diesel Fuel Tank Level Sensor
The biggest difference between them is whether they are powered. Mechanical tank level sensors have a simple internal structure and intuitive readings. They offer a wide range of corrosion-resistant and explosion-proof materials, adapting to various installation environments.
The mechanical structure lacks electronic components and avoids the instability associated with electronic level sensors. It results in lower operating costs and greater reliability than electronic level sensors. Traditional mechanical level sensors include magnetic flap level sensors, glass tube level sensors, glass plate level sensors, and float level sensors.
The electronic Diesel Fuel Tank Level Sensor requires a power supply. Float Level Sensor, Capacitance Level Sensor, Radar Level Sensor, Ultrasonic Level Sensor and so on. Electronic level sensors are capable of outputting level signals as electronic signals. Electronic level sensors also cost more than mechanical ones.
Diesel Level Measurement Cases:
Sino-Inst’s Diesel Fuel Tank Level Sensor has been sold worldwide. The following cases are our customized measurement solutions according to customers’ requirements. You can refer to:
Explosion-proof Ultrasonic Level Sensor
- Tank Height: 2.6 meters
- Medium: Fuel Oil, Diesel Oil, Very Low Sulfur Fuel Oil (VLSFO), High Sulfur Fuel Oil (HSFO)
- Pressure: 2bar
- Temperature: 80℃
- Default Threaded Connection
- Signal Output: 4-20mA+RS485
- Explosion-proof
Submersible Level Sensor
- Stainless Steel
- Measuring Diesel
- Tank Height: 2.4m
- Temperature: -20-80°C
- 24VDC
- Local Display
- Output Signal 4-20mA
- G1 Threaded Mounting
How does storage temperature affect diesel fuel level readings?
According to the principle of thermal expansion and contraction, as temperature rises, the molecular or atomic movement within diesel fuel accelerates, causing the diesel fuel's overall volume to expand. Conversely, as temperature decreases, the molecular or atomic movement slows, causing the diesel fuel's volume to decrease accordingly.
According to the operating principle of level sensors, medium temperature does not always affect level measurement. For example, flange diaphragms are unaffected by temperature. The pressure-guiding fluid (usually silicone oil) vaporizes at temperatures as high as 200°C. The high temperature causes instrument measurement errors. In severe cases, the instrument may even be damaged. Some level sensors, such as glass tube level gauges and two-color plate level gauges, are relatively simple in structure. And they are less susceptible to high temperatures. We need to select the appropriate level measurement device according to the site conditions. When we measure high temperature media, we need to implement cooling, insulation and other measures.
How to test a fuel level sensor with a multimeter?
Using a multimeter, you can test the input and output resistance of the fuel level sensor to determine the accuracy of the fuel level sensor.
The specific operation steps are as follows:
- The first step is to dial the multimeter to the ohm gear.
- The second step is to connect the input and output wires of the level meter module to the two probes of the multimeter. And record the corresponding resistance values.
- The third step is to judge the level meter's good or bad condition according to the resistance range provided by the manufacturer. And if it is out of the range, then it needs to be repaired or replaced.
Where is the fuel tank pressure sensor located?
A fuel tank pressure sensor installation should be selected to accurately reflect the location of the measured pressure. To ensure that the actual force direction of the sensor is consistent with the direction of the sensor design and use. And to ensure that the pressure at the installation point is stable, free from vibration, shock and temperature changes of the drastic impact.
In short, diesel fuel is a flammable and explosive substance. Therefore, we need to be very careful with its level measurement. We recommend that you choose diesel tank level sensors from Sino-Inst. Because our products have been successfully used in many industries and are highly rated by our users. We also have a high repurchase rate. Come and contact us for a free measurement program and quote.
