I'm trying to optimize my PhD experiment using arduino to control the liquid level on a beacker. This beacker contains a solution with sulfuric acid and is at around 55C.
Since it's a very acidic solution, I can't use any metallic sensor inside it. I tried using the eTape, but the temperature apparently makes the sensor unusable. Do you have any suggestion on how to control the liquid level?
Cheers!
For your own peace of mind, and legal liability reasons it would be wise to seek advice from a qualified chemical engineer. Presumably you are at a university so this should be easy.
If something goes wrong, you don't want to end up in a situation where you have to admit that you took technical advice from some random person on a hobby forum that turned out to be wrong.
For some background reading do a Google search for "PVDF float switches".
I would either use an ultrasonic sensor such as the HC-SR-04 or a laser sensor like the VL53L0X as both do not require direct contact. The VL53L0X is the preferable choice as its only measures a small surface area "the size of the laser" where as the HC-SR-04 measures a large surface area growing rapidly as the range increases, and since you want to measures solution within a beaker a laser would be best IMO...
You then need to know the depth of the container when empty, and you then just subtract the current height reading against the empty containers depth and then you know the solutions height.
Such as empty container reading = 10cm, current reading with solution in = 2cm, 10 - 2 = 8cm.
And if you knew the width and length you could then calculate the volume too...
chrbn:
I'm trying to optimize my PhD experiment using arduino to control the liquid level on a beacker. This beacker contains a solution with sulfuric acid and is at around 55C.Since it's a very acidic solution, I can't use any metallic sensor inside it. I tried using the eTape, but the temperature apparently makes the sensor unusable. Do you have any suggestion on how to control the liquid level?
Cheers!
Failed the chem class? Both gold and platinum are non-reactive with sulfuric acid and should be readily available to you.
Paul
Use weight ?
" Do you have any suggestion on how to control the liquid level?"
Do you want to control the level, or measure the level? Weight, opacity, reflectivity, and other non chemical properties might be considered. A simple conductive probe might also be used.
How, incidentally, is the beaker being filled or emptied? By something controllable by electricity such as a pump or a heating element?
Search also for capacitive proximity detectors for liquid level detection.
KawasakiZx10r:
I would either use an ultrasonic sensor such as the HC-SR-04 or a laser sensor like the VL53L0X as both do not require direct contact. The VL53L0X is the preferable choice as its only measures a small surface area "the size of the laser" where as the HC-SR-04 measures a large surface area growing rapidly as the range increases, and since you want to measures solution within a beaker a laser would be best IMO...
Thanks! I ended using a non-contact sensor. Which is actually working just fine.
Paul_KD7HB:
Failed the chem class? Both gold and platinum are non-reactive with sulfuric acid and should be readily available to you.Paul
that's very unpolite. You have no idea what conditions my project is under and you try to judge people knowledge?
hammy:
Use weight ?
my experiment is constantly in a hot plate, I would be complicated to add another layer to that.
6v6gt:
How, incidentally, is the beaker being filled or emptied? By something controllable by electricity such as a pump or a heating element?
Search also for capacitive proximity detectors for liquid level detection.
the solution is slowly evaporating, but since it's running for 2+days I need to top off the volume. But thanks for your suggestion, I'll keep that in mind if needed.
"the solution is slowly evaporating, but since it's running for 2+days I need to top off the volume. But thanks for your suggestion, I'll keep that in mind if needed."
You really need to cover/contain the evaporation as it poses several health hazards beyond having to just makeup to the container. Get critical peer review before you turn in your project.
zoomkat:
You really need to cover/contain the evaporation as it poses several health hazards beyond having to just makeup to the container. Get critical peer review before you turn in your project.
I appreciate you concern, but of course the solution is in a controlled environment, where it won't show any risk.
And the project is done: using a non-contact liquid level sensor, a relay and a peristaltic pump did the job.