Borehole level gauge: models and manufacturers

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

To determine the water level in wells, special instruments are used - level gauges. The design of these devices can be both simple and quite complex. Measurements using downhole level gauges in most cases are made using a signal electrical contact. However, there are similar devices on the market with a different principle of operation.

Device of level gauges

The simplest modern devices of this group are metal structures, consisting of:

• winches;
• frame;
• marked rope.

Winches in different gauges can be plastic or steel. Instrument cables are marked every meter. Level gauges are placed on the water with the help of special roller hooks. The contact of the device with the pipe is ensured by connection with a clamp. It is supposed to lower the device into the shaft in such a way that its cable does not come into contact with the pipe.

When the electrode touches the water on the coil of the downhole level gauge, the light indicator lights up and a sound is heardsignal.

Types of appliances

There are many types of instruments designed to measure the level of liquids. The simplest are visual, float and buoy. More complex designs are radar, ultrasonic and radioisotope level gauges. The most convenient to use are hydrostatic and electronic devices. The device of the models of the last variety was described above.

In addition to the principle of operation, devices for this purpose can be classified into:

• devices designed for continuous monitoring;
• discrete control models.

Top brands of level gauges

Supplied to the Russian market similar equipment by different companies: both domestic and foreign. For example, if necessary, in specialized stores or via the Internet, you can purchase devices of such brands as USK-TE, NivoPRESS, Vegaflex and Waterpilot. Downhole level gauges of all these types are of fairly good quality. Feedback from consumers, they deserve very good.

USK-TE models

Level gauges of this brand are a domestic development and are produced by several Russian companies. Actually USK-TE models are used to determine the water level in wells with metal casing. But there is also a USK-TE2 variant on the market, designed for mines with polyethylene. The minimum borehole diameter for these devices is 15 mm. This is, of course, verygood indicator.

The package of electrocontact downhole level gauges of this brand includes:

• manual spool on frame (may be made of regular steel or corrosion resistant);
• cable, the length of which, depending on the modification, can be 35-1000 m;
• electrocontact sensor with weights;
• alkaline batteries;
• measuring tape.

These devices are delivered to the market in easy-to-carry backpacks.

Instrument manufacturers

These devices are produced, as already mentioned, by several companies. For example, USK-TE level gauges supplied to the market by the manufacturer PKF Deus LLC deserved good customer reviews. The head office of this company is located in Yekaterinburg. In addition to downhole level gauges, it manufactures many other types of industrial devices - air ducts, compensators, valves, etc.

Also, USK-TE devices are manufactured by the Sverdlovsk plant SZTOiM. In addition to USK-TE, this company supplies the market with downhole electric contact wire rope level gauges USP-E, USK-TL, and EU. Also on sale are hydrogeological tape roulettes of the RGLM and RGL brands. All products of this manufacturer are of good quality and are popular with consumers.

Best modification

USK-TE level gauges are marked depending on the cable length. The most popular modificationof this brand is USK-TE 100. This device costs on the market in the region of 10-13 thousand rubles. On the cable, like all other modifications, this device has copper marks. They are located in 1 m increments. The USK-TE 100 electrode diameter is 20 mm, and the coil wires are 0.35 mm. The device is powered by two AA batteries. Indication in the model is provided both sound and light.

USK-TL tether model

These models can be used for any purpose, cased or open hole. To measure the water level when using USK-TL devices, a special lot-cracker is lowered into the shaft on a cable. These devices can be used for wells and wells with a diameter of 20 mm. The device is installed above the shaft, after which the cable is released. When the lot hits the water, a characteristic pop is heard.

Among the advantages of devices of this brand, among other things, is the fact that with their use it is possible to measure, among other things, the depth of the well itself. These devices are very easy to use. No special training is required to start using them.

Earlier, USK-TL models were very popular and widely used. However, now employees of surveying companies prefer to use more modern devices. We spoke about one of them - USK-TE - above. The design of the USK-TL is extremely simple. However, it is still quite difficult to hear the cotton during measurements. A specialist when using such a device has to listen.

Waterpilot FMX downhole level gauge manufacturer

Reliable devices of this brand are supplied to the Russian market by the German company Endress+Hauser GmbH+Co. kg. This company was founded in Lorrach in February 1951. Initially, its specialization was only the sale of level gauges. The first devices sold by the company were the then popular French Tektor and Testor. Later, the company began to produce its own devices.

Even in the 80s of the last century, practically no one knew anything about this company in Europe. Its production capacity was very small. However, in the 90s, the company began to develop by leaps and bounds and soon grew into a global company with more than 4,000 employees.

Currently, the company owns divisions on all six continents of the planet. It employs more than 12 thousand employees, both in production and in sales.

The best modification is the Waterpilot Fmx167 downhole level gauge

Under this brand, several types of level gauges are supplied to the domestic market. For example, if necessary, you can purchase options for FMX 160, 165, 21, etc. But the most popular model is still the high-quality and easy-to-use Waterpilot 167. The advantages of this modification include, first of all, reliability and stability. The FMX167 can be used to measure both the water level in the well and the runoff. Its case diameter is 22 mm.

In some modifications of the Waterpilot 167 downhole level gauges there is an additional optionmeasuring water temperature. In any case, the buyer can order its installation to the supplier additionally.

Waterpilot Fmx167 Key Features

The advantages of this device, among other things, include the fact that it has as many as nine fixed pressure measurement ranges. Also, the advantages of the level gauge downhole Waterpilot Fmx167 (manufacturing country - Germany) are:

• high resistance to aggressive environments;
• presence in the design of a sealed cable sensor;
• high overload resistance.

The electronics of this model is securely sealed. Among other things, the design of the Waterpilot Fmx167 includes a compensation system with 2 filters, providing reliable protection against all sorts of adverse weather conditions. The long service life of this downhole cable level gauge is also determined by the built-in surge protection. The Waterpilot 167 gauge is on the market for about $500.

NivoPRESS brand level gauges: manufacturer

These devices are supplied to the market by the Hungarian company NIVELCO zRT. This company was founded not too long ago - in 1982 by entrepreneur Endre Söllös. At present, the business of this businessman is continued by his son, Tamas Söllös. This company employs only 150 people. However, the company continues to develop dynamically. Over the entire period of its existence, it has already sold more than 6 milliongeodetic instruments. The main specialization of this company is the production and sale of devices designed to measure the level of water and other materials.

Lineup

This company supplies two types of electronic downhole level gauges to the Russian market - NivoPRESS N and D. Both of these modifications are mainly designed for continuous measurement of hydrostatic pressure in mines with conversion to level.

The design of these sensors includes a special membrane connected to the sensor element. The latter, depending on the modification, may have a semiconductor or capacitive principle of operation. Both of these downhole level gauges should be placed as close to the bottom of the mine as possible. They have the following characteristics:

• two-wire or three-wire connection;
• cable length up to 300 meters.

The level gauges of this brand are manufactured in a robust steel case. They can be used to measure not only water, but also various kinds of chemical solutions. The cost of level meters from this manufacturer is quite low.

Vegaflex appliance manufacturer

These micropulse radar level transmitters are produced by the Russian company VEGA INSTRUMENTS LLC, which is the official representative of the German companies VEGA Grieshaber KG and Intra Automation GmbH. The head office of the company is located in Moscow. This company specializes in the manufacture of instruments designed to measure the levels of liquids andbulk materials.

Features of Vegaflex level gauges

Like NivoPRESS N, devices from this manufacturer belong to the group of continuous devices. They consist of an electronic unit mounted on a tank, a cable probe immersed in a liquid or a granular medium, and a rod along which electromagnetic pulses propagate. To measure the level of water and other chemically neutral liquids, use the Vegaflex 81 model from this manufacturer.