Foreword

Welcome to value-conscious company. We are proud of the advanced engineering and

quality construction of each equipment we manufacture.

This manual explains the working of equipment. Please read it thoroughly and have all
the occupants follow the instructions carefully. Doing so will help you enjoy many years
of safe and trouble free operation.

When it comes to service remember that K.C. Engineers knows your equipment best
and is interested in your complete satisfaction. We will provide the quality maintenance
and any other assistance you may require.

All the information and specifications in this manual are current at the time of printing.
However, Because of K.C. Engineers policy of continual product improvement we
reserve the right to make changes at any time without notice.

Please note that this manual explains all about the equipment including options.
Therefore you may find some explanations for options not installed on your equipment.

You must follow the instructions and maintenance instructions given in the manual
carefully to avoid possible injury or damage. Proper maintenance will help ensure
maximum performance, greater reliability, and longer life for the product.

K.C. Engineers
 Contents

1. Objective …………………………………… 1

2. Aim …………………………………… 1

3. Introduction …………………………………… 1

4. Theory …………………………………… 1

5. Description …………………………………… 5

6. Utilities Required …………………………………… 5

7. Experimental Procedure …………………………………… 6

8. Observation & Calculation …………………………………… 6

9. Nomenclature …………………………………… 8

10. Precautions & Maintenance Instructions …………………………………… 8

11. Troubleshooting …………………………………… 8

12. References …………………………………… 9

Two Tank Interacting Liquid Level System

 TWO TANK INTERACTING LIQUID-LEVEL SYSTEM

1. OBJECTIVE:
To study the dynamic response of liquid level in Two Tank Interacting Liquid Level
System.

2. AIM:
To obtain experimentally the step response & to compare the experimental &
theoretical responses.

3. INTRODUCTION:
The principle distinction to be made in multi-capacity processes is in how the
capacities are joined. If they are said to be isolated or non-interacting, the capacities
behave exactly as they would alone. But if coupled, they interact with one another, in
which case the contribution of each is altered by the interaction. In non-interacting
system the two tanks levels does not interact because the flow from the first tank to
the second tank is independent of the level in the second tank. In interacting system
the levels in both tanks interact because any change in the down stream level will
affect the upstream level.
The following general rules are applied to the principle of interaction;
1. The degree of interaction is proportional to the ratio of the smaller to the larger
capacity (not time constant). Where this ratio is low (<0.1), the capacities may
assumed not to interact
2. Interaction always works towards increasing the larger time constant and
decreasing the smaller one.
3. Specifically with regard to the behavior of the system with equal time constant
and of equal capacity, the effect is a combination of one large and the rest small
time constants.

4. THEORY:
A dynamic system is the one in which there is some varying amount of accumulation
of conserved quantities with time. Consider a liquid level system shown below in
which two tanks are arranged in series such that the response of first tank depends on
the conditions in the second tank. Such a system is said to be an interacting system
and is a lumped parameter system.

Two Tank Interacting Liquid Level System 1

 q(t)

vf h1
h2

tank1 tank2

R1 R2
q1 q2
Cross Section Area
Tank (1) = A1
Tank (2) = A2
This arrangement is such that the flow through the resistance R1 depends on both h1
and h2. Such a system is known as interacting system. Selecting a macroscopic
system consisting of the entire tank, the total transient material balance for:
1. Tank (1) is:
d ( A1h1 ρ )
= qρ − q1 ρ
dt
dh1 q q1
= −
dt A1 A1
Assuming the flow - head relationship for resistance R1 is linear.
h1 − h2
∴ q1 =
R1

the material balance is

dh1 q h1 − h2
= − ………….. (1)
dt A1 A1 R1
Q = f (t )
2. Tank (2)
d ( A2 h2 ρ )
= q1 ρ − q 2 ρ
dt
dh2 q1 q 2
= −
dt A2 A2

Two Tank Interacting Liquid Level System 2

 h2
put q 2 =
R2
(Linear flow - head relationship for Resistance R2)
The material balance for tank 2 is
dh2 q1 h
= − 2
dt A2 A2 R2
dh2 h1 − h2 h
= − 2 ……… (2)
dt A2 R1 A2 R2
I.V. at t=0, h1= h1 s, h2 = h2s (Steady state before step change)
dh1 dh2
At s.s. = =0
dt dt
from Equation (1) and (2).
q S h1S − h2S
0= − ……….. (3)
A1 A1 R1

h1S − h2S h2S

0= − ……….. (4)
A2 R1 A2 R2
Subtracting (3) from (1) and (4) from (2)
d (h1 − h1 S ) q − q S h1 − h1S
= −
dt A1 A1 R1

d (h2 − h2 S ) h1 − h1S h2 − h2 S
= −
dt A2 R1 A2 R2
In terms of deviation variables
Q = q − qs

Q1 = q1 − q1s

Q2 = q 2 − q 2 s

H 1 = h1 − h1s

H 2 = h2 − h 2 s

dH 1 Q − Q1
= …....…… (5)
dt A1
dH 2 Q1 − Q2
= ………… (6)
dt A2

Two Tank Interacting Liquid Level System 3

 In terms of deviation variables, Q1 and Q2 can be expressed as:
H1 − H 2
Q1 = ..……. (7)
R1

H2
Q2 = ..…….. (8)
R2
Taking the transforms of equations 5, 6, 7, 8
Q( s ) − Q( s ) = A1 ( s ) H 1 ( s )
Q1 ( s ) − Q2 ( s ) = A2 ( s ) H 2 ( s )
R1 Q1 ( s ) = H 1 ( s ) − H 2 ( s )
R2 Q2 ( s ) = H 2 ( s )
on taking inverse Laplace transform, we obtain theoretical response of the system as:
 τ e −t / τ1 − τ 2 e −t / τ 2 
H 2 (t ) = MR2 1 − 1  ..……. (10)
 τ 2 −τ1 
In case τ1 = τ2 = τ
[
then H 2 (t ) = MR2 1 − e − t / τ1 − (−t / τ )e − t / τ1 ] ……… (11)
Equation (10) represents the theoretical response of a non-interacting two tank liquid
level system to a step change of magnitude (M) in the feed rate to tank (1).
There are two ways of solving Eq (10).
1. First obtain the time constant τ1 & τ2 of each tank and the resistance R2 (τ2=
A2R2), the response in terms of H2(t) can be obtained from Eq. 10 and compared
with the observed response.
2. The observed response, H2(t) vs t data can be fitted to Eq. 10 and obtain τ1, τ2 and
R2 by non –linear regression techniques. Compare the values of τ1, τ2 and R2 with
the observed values of τ1, τ2, & R2.
Discrepancy in the response or in values of time constants should be accounted for.
One of the principal reasons for discrepancy could be the assumption of linear
resistance R1 & R2 that may not be valid.
Combine these equations to eliminate Q1, Q2, H1
H 2 (s) R2
=
Q ( s ) τ 1 τ 2 s + (τ 1 + τ 2 + A1 R 2 ) s + 1
2

Where
τ 1 = A1 R1 and τ 2 = A2 R2
are the time constants of the two tanks respectively.
Two Tank Interacting Liquid Level System 4
 Incase τ 1 = τ 2

H 2 ( s) R
= 2 2 2 ………… (9)
Q( s) τ s + 3τ s + 1
For a step input of magnitude M in the inlet flow to the first tank,
Q( s) = M / s

M R2 MR2
H 2 ( s) = =
s(τ s + 3τ s + 1)
2 2
s (0.38τ s + 1)(2.62τ s + 1)
Taking inverse Laplace transform of the above equation:
H 2 (t )
= 1 + 0.17 exp(−t / 0.38τ ) − 1.17 exp(−t / 2.62τ ) ………. (10)
MR2
This equation represents the theoretical response of the system in terms of variation
of liquid level in tank 2 with respect to time for a step input of magnitude M in the
inlet flow of tank 1. There are two ways of solving Eq (10).
1. First obtain the time constant τ1 & τ2 of each tank (adjust the resistances R1 and
R2 such thatτ1 = τ2 = τ) and the resistance R2 (τ2= A2R2) from the experimental
data and, the response in terms of H2 (t) can be obtained from Eq. 10 and
compared with the observed response.
2. The observed response, H2 (t) vs t data can be fitted to Eq. 10 and obtain τ and R2
by non–linear regression techniques. Compare the values of τ and R2 with the
observed values of τ, & R2.
Discrepancy in the response or in values of time constant should be accounted for.
One of the principal reasons for discrepancy could be the assumption of linear
resistance R1 & R2 that may not be valid.

5. DESCRIPTION:
Apparatus is self-contained re-circulating unit. Water from Sump Tank is sucked and
delivered to a Constant Level Overhead Tank by means of a Centrifugal Pump. Flow
rate of water is controlled and metered with the help of given Rotameter. Water,
passing through Rotameter, can be allowed to enter first in Process Tank-1. Valves
are provided to controlled the flow to second tank and second tank to sump tank.

6. UTILITIES REQUIRED:
1. Electricity Supply: Single Phase, 220 V AC, 50 Hz, 5-15 amp socket with earth
connection.
2. Water Supply (Initial Fill)
Two Tank Interacting Liquid Level System 5
 3. Drain Required
4. Floor Area Required: 1 m x 1 m.

7. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE:
1. Adjust valves V1& V2 (partially open).
2. Switch on the power supply and the pump; adjust the inlet flow rate q, to the tank
(1) at around 40 LPH by completely opening the feed valve, Vf and adjusting the
flow by the control valve of the rotameter.
3. The liquid level in the two tanks will rise. Wait till steady state is reached in each
tank.
4. Note the steady state liquid level (h1s and h2s) and the inlet steady state (flow rate
q(s)).
5. Now increase the inlet flow rate to tank one to say 50 LPH by suddenly opening
the rotameter needle valve in ‘Single go’ and maintain the flow rate at this level
Simultaneously start the stopwatch and record the liquid level with time in each
tank (h, , h2) till next steady state is reached. Note down the final steady state
value of h1 , h2 and q f(s).
6. Steps (3) to (5) can be repeated for another step change in feed flow rate without
changing the valve positions V1 & V2.
7. From the steady state values of qf (s), h1(s) and h2(s) obtain the values of τ1 and τ2
and adjust R1 and R2such that τ1 = τ2 = τ.

8. OBSERVATIONS & CALCULATIONS:

DATA:
D1 = 0.108 m
D2 = 0.022 m

OBSERVATIONS:
Initial steady state value (i.e. before step change is introduced)
t = 0
qS = ---------- LPH
h1S = ---------- m
h2S = ---------- m
Final steady state values after the step change
qfS = --------- LPH
Two Tank Interacting Liquid Level System 6
 h1fS = -------- m
h2fS = -------- m

OBSERVATION TABLE:
t, min h1 , m h2 , m

Plot steady state discharges qf(s) vs level h2(s).

CALCULATIONS:
1
QS = (q fS − q S ) × , m3/min = -------------------
1000 × 60
H 1S = h1 fS − h1S , m = -------------------

H 2 S = h2 fs − h2 S , m = -------------------

H 1S − H 2 S
R1 = , min/m2 = -------------------
QS

H 2S
R2 = , min/m2 = -------------------
QS
π
A= ( D12 − D22 ) , m2 = -----------------
4
τ 1 = A1 R1 , min = -------------------
τ 2 = A2 R2 , min = -------------------

Experimental Response
 H 2 (t )  h2 − h2 S
  = = -------------------
 MR2  exp MR2

Theoretical Response
 H 2 (t ) 
  = 1 + 0.17 exp(−t / 0.38τ ) − 1.17 exp(−t / 2.62τ ) = -------------------
 MR2  th

Two Tank Interacting Liquid Level System 7

9. NOMENCLATURE:
A = Cross-sectional area of process tank (1), tank (2), m2
D1 = Inner diameter of Tank (1) & Tank (2), m
D2 = Outer diameter of down comer, m
f = Subscript of final state
h1 = Height of liquid in process tank (1) after step change attaining steady
state, m
h2 = Height of liquid in process tank (2) after step change attaining steady
state, m
H1S = Change in height (h1 - h1S) in process tank (1) after step Change, m
H2S = Change in height (h2 – h2s) in process tank (2) after step Change, m
h1S = Initial height in the process tank (1), m
h2S = Initial height in the process tank (2), m
h1fS = Final height in the process tank (1), m
h2fS = Final height in the process tank (2), m
M = Magnitude of step change, m3/min
qfS = Final steady state feed flow rate, LPH
qS = Initial steady state feed flow rate, LPH
QS = Initial flow rate for the process, m3/min
R1 = Resistance given to the valve (1), min/m2
R2 = Resistance given to the valve (2), min/m2
S = Subscript of steady state
τ = Time constant, min

10. PRECAUTION & MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Never run the apparatus if power supply is less than 180 volts & above than 230
volts
2. To prevent clogging of moving parts, Run Pump at least once in a fortnight.
3. Always use clean water.
4. It apparatus will not in use for more than one month, drain the apparatus
completely.
5. Always keep apparatus free from dust.

11. TROUBLESHOOTING:
1. If pump gets jam, open the back cover of pump and rotate the shaft manually.

Two Tank Interacting Liquid Level System 8

12. REFERENCES:
1. Donald R. Coughanowr, “Process System Analysis and Control”, 2nd ed.,
McGraw Hill, NY, 1991, Page 83-86.

Two Tank Interacting Liquid Level System 9