Densitometers

Dr. Binoy B. Nair

Ultrasonic and Sonic Densitometers

Used for identification of density of suspended solids or in
case of sludge.
The attenuation of a ultrasonic pulse is dependent on the
path length and the amount of solids present in the path.

Ultrasonic Sludge/Slurry Densitometer

An ultrasonic pulse is directed across a pipe section through which the slurry is flowing.

The ultrasonic energy received is a measure of the slurry density.

It must be noted that this technique works only with biological or other light sludges at a
concentration level of around 0.1% - 20%.

This is because ultrasonic signals cannot penetrate air gaps or highly dense materials .

Ultrasonic Sludge/Slurry Densitometer

Newer versions of these densitometers allow
on-site calibration facility.

Sonic Liquid Densitometer

Sound velocity type density detector has a
device for m/m of sound velocity in liquid
while at the same time compensating for
temperature and pressure variations.
Speed of sound is given by:
=

where E= Bulk Modulus, = density

Sonic Liquid Densitometer

Limitations:
Works only with clear
liquids.
Bulk Modulus variations
can cause m/m error.

These devices are

typically used to detect
interference between
two different
hydrocarbon products.

Gas Densitometers
Density = Mass/ Volume
Relative Density (also called Specific Gravity)=
density of gas/density of air
Note:
Both densities must be measured at same
temperature, dryness and pressure

Displacement type gas densitometer

The buoyant force exerted upon a body
suspended in a gas is proportional to the
density of that gas.
If the gas is in ambient conditions, the
buoyant force is an indication of the molecular
weight or specific gravity of the sample.

Displacement type manual density gages

The top figure shows a densitometer
with a balance beam with a glass
cylinder on one end and counter
weight on the other.

This is a manual method and first

requires filling the chamber with dry
air till the beam just balances and
noting the corresponding absolute air
pressure Pa on the manometer.

After this, the chamber is evacuated

and filled with sample gas till the beam
is once more balanced. The
corresponding absolute gas pressure Pg
is noted. The specific gravity of the
sample gas is determined as the ratio
of the two absolute pressures:
SGg = Pg /Pa

Displacement type manual density gages

The molecular weight of the sample is
determined by
Mwg = Mwa*Pg / Pa
The bottom figure is a slight variation of the
same setup in which the arc through which
the beam swings is a measure of the sample
density.

Displacement type manual density gages

The fig. shows setup that measures gas density at actual flowing conditions.

The effects of process pressure, temperature , compressibility or Sp. Gravity changes are automatically detected
without an explicit need for m/m of these quantities.

This setup follows Archimedes principle which states that the buoyant force on a float is a function only of the
fluid density surrounding the float.

The sensor consists of a buoyant float attached to the other end.

The spring tension in this case is adjusted using a micrometer till the beam is brought to null position. The readout
linkage is attached to the spring and provides linear density data.

Centrifugal Gas Density Sensors

A centrifugal blower operating
at a constant high speed (300013000 rpm) extracts a small
sample gas from a tank or
pipeline.
The impeller is driven by
magnetic coupling to allow
removal of the driver and
prevent gas leakage.
The gas enters the impeller at
centre and is thrown outwards
by centrifugal force.

This creates pressure differential

across impeller which is directly prop.
to gas density.
Differential pressure generated can
be locally indicated or given as i/p to
a D/P transmitter.