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Hydrostatic level measurement

Hydrostatic level measurement is a really simple and reliable method of measuring level. A submersible pressure transmitter or a standard pressure transmitter is lowered to or mounted at a specific depth (zero level). The transmitter then measures the pressure caused by the weight of the liquid directly on top of it. Due to the hydrostatic paradox, the pressure sensor does not measure the complete volume in the tank above it, but only the liquid column vertically above it. The hydrostatic level measurement is thus completely unaffected by the shape of the reservoir or vessel, just measuring the level by the weight of the liquid column above it. If the liquid and its specific gravity are known, the pressure measurement can be calculated as the distance from the zero level, where the transmitter is located, to the surface of the liquid.

Contrary to most non-contact level measurement technologies, a hydrostatic level transmitter does not only allow measurement of the current height of the surface level. It allows monitoring changes in level from any chosen reference point within the media, anywhere in between the bottom of the resource and its surface, as hydrostatic level transmitters are always installed below the surface level. Hence, hydrostatic level transmitters are unaffected by any disturbances of the liquid’s surface like overflow, flood or spill. As their installation point becomes the reference for zero meter or zero feet of level they allow to analyse and monitor the level of resources with unknown depths. Examples for such resources are underground water reservoirs, aquifers, rivers and lakes, as in all of these resources the surface level can vary heavily, especially in case of heavy rain or floods.

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