CONDUCTOMETRIC METHOD TO MEASURE LIQUID LEVEL Russian patent published in 2015 - IPC G01F23/24 

FIELD: measurement equipment.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to the field of control of level of electroconductive media, preferably liquid metals in nuclear power industry. The conductometric method makes it possible to measure level of liquid metal without introduction of any elements of the level indicator structure inside the reservoir, where the liquid metal is placed. The method consists in the fact that in the area of possible position or displacement of the level of liquid sodium in the reservoir, electric field is developed on the external surface of the reservoir wall. Then on the selected local area arranged on the external wall of the reservoir with the help of two electrodes and a measurement device, they measure intensity of electric field, using which, they calculate presence of one of media on this section behind the reservoir wall, electric conductivity of which corresponds to either liquid sodium or air. Electrodes via certain gaps are installed on the entire area of the possible level position. By serial or simultaneous probing of a wall at different sections of the reservoir by a discrete-analogue method they determine a place, where there is an interface between air and liquid sodium, i.e. position of liquid metal level is determined in the reservoir. Electric field is developed with the help of current supplied to two electrodes, contacting at the outer side of the reservoir wall, besides, one of electrodes is located on the highest part of the reservoir, where the level of liquid sodium may reach, and the other electrode is on the lowest part of the reservoir. Electric field intensity on the outer surface of the reservoir wall is determined by measurement of ratio of the potential difference between two probing electrodes arranged along the vertical line on a certain selected local area of the outer surface of the reservoir, to the distance between these electrodes.

EFFECT: reliable monitoring of a liquid medium level with provision of specified metrological characteristics in wide range of temperatures, as well as continuity of control and moderate cost.

6 cl, 3 dwg