Measurement of the level of settled particles within a fluid vessel

A method of determining the level of settled particles in a vessel containing a volume of liquid defining a liquid level and a volume of particles settled in the liquid and defining a submerged level of settled particles, comprising the steps of:

• fluidizing particles above a sensed position, said sensed position below the submerged level;
• measuring a fluidized static pressure of the liquid after the particles arefluidized;
• correlating the fluidized static pressure to a pre-established relationship between level of settled particles and fluidized static pressure to determine the level of settled particles;
• and
• wherein said step of correlating is further defined by the steps of (a) making a static pressure determination at a level in the vessel equal to a level of said sensed position with the particles in a settled, non fluidized state, and (b) adjusting the pre-established relationship.

A method of determining the level of settled particles in a vessel containing a volume of liquid defining a liquid level and a volume of particles settled in the liquid and defining a submerged level of settled particles, comprising the steps of:

• fluidizing particles above a sensed position, said sensed position below the submerged level;
• measuring a fluidized static pressure of the liquid after the particles are fluidized;
• correlating the fluidized static pressure to a pre-established relationship between level of settled particles and fluidized static pressure to determine the level of settled particles;
• and
• wherein said step of correlating is further defined by the steps of, (a) making a continuous static pressure determination at a level in the vessel equal to a level of said sensed position with the particles in a settled, non-fluidized state, and (b) continuously adjusting the pre-established relationship.

A measuring system for determining a level of settled particles in a fluid-containing vessel, comprising:

• a vessel containing a quantity of fluid and a quantity of particles settled at a bottom of the vessel defining a submerged level of settled particles;
• a pressure sensor arranged to sense static pressure at a sensed level below said submerged level of settled particles;
• a fluidizing liquid inlet into said vessel arranged below said submerged level;
• and
• a pipe connected to said fluidizing liquid inlet, said pressure sensor comprises a pressure gauge connected to said pipe, and a liquid pump connected to said pipe and having a pump inlet connected to said vessel above said submerged level.

A measuring system for determining a level of settled particles in a fluid-containing vessel, comprising:

• a vessel containing a quantity of fluid and a quantity of particles settled at a bottom of the vessel defining a submerged level of settled particles;
• a pressure sensor arranged to sense static pressure at a sensed level below said submerged level of settled particles;
• and
• a fluidizing liquid inlet into said vessel arranged below said submerged level;
• and
• wherein said pressure sensor comprises a pressure switch, and further comprising a particle pump arranged having an inlet below said submerged level and a control signal-connected to said pressure switch and to said particle pump, said control configured to activate said pump in response to a signal from said pressure switch.