This instrument consists of a metal body, machined to have an internal chamber and one or more front windows (on each side of the gauge).
On each window a special high resistance plate transparent glass is applied with sealing joint and metal cover plate hold by bolts and nuts.
The chamber is connected to vessel with cross fittings and flanged, threaded or welded ends. Usually, between the instrument and its connecting ends, valves are fitted to consent shut-off piping and to disassemble the level gauge without to empty the vessel. Drain valves can also be fitted to cross fittings device.
To avoid leakage in case of glass breakage, safety ball-check device can be provided in cross-fittings or shut-off valves.
To protect glass surfaces from corrosive action of the process fluid, Transparent Level Gauges can be fitted with Mica shields or Polytrifluorochloroethilene shields.
This kind of indicator is suitable for liquids colorless and very fluid.
A variation of transparent level gauges, however equipped with a special back illuminator, as described in Bicolor level Gauges, gives a sharp reading made by contrast between bright colors: green in lower part (liquid) and red in upper part (steam) of visible window. This kind of indicator is suitable for water/steam.
WORKING PRINCIPLE:
Fluid level indication is the result of the different transparency property of the two media (i.e. liquid and air or vapor).
In some case (i.e. for water / steam) the best reading is obtained by conveying upwards on the surface of separation (liquid/steam or vapor interface), a source of light, located on the back of the gauge, the rays of which are totally reflected down to the observer.
APPLICATIONS:
Transparent level gauges are suitable for all application. In fact they permit:
- the use of mica shields or Polytrifluorochloroethylene shields to protect the glass from the corrosive action of the process fluid;
- the observation of interface;
- the observation of the liquid color.