Liquid level floats, also known as float balls, are spherical, cylindrical, oblong or similarly shaped objects, made from either rigid or flexible material, that are buoyant in water and other liquids. They are non-electrical hardware frequently used as visual sight-indicators for surface demarcation and

level measurement Level sensors detect the liquid level, level of liquids and other fluids and fluidized solids, including slurry, slurries, granular materials, and wikt:powders, powders that exhibit an upper free surface. Substances that flow become essentially h ...

. They may also be incorporated into switch mechanisms or translucent fluid-tubes as a component in monitoring or controlling liquid level. Liquid level floats, or float switches, use the principle of material buoyancy (differential densities) to follow fluid levels. Solid floats are often made of plastics with a density less than water or other application liquid, and so they float. Hollow floats filled with air are much less dense than water or other liquids, and are appropriate for some applications. Stainless steel magnetic floats are tubed magnetic floats, used for

reed switch The reed switch is an Electromechanics, electromechanical switch operated by an applied magnetic field. It was invented in 1922 by professor Valentin Kovalenkov at the Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University#Soviet era, Petrogra ...

activation; they have a hollow tubed connection running through them. These magnetic floats have become standard equipment where strength,

corrosion Corrosion is a natural process that converts a refined metal into a more chemically stable oxide. It is the gradual deterioration of materials (usually a metal) by chemical or electrochemical reaction with their environment. Corrosion engine ...

resistance and buoyancy are necessary. They are manufactured by welding two drawn half shells together. The welding process is critical for the strength and durability of the float. The weld is a full penetration weld providing a smoothly finished seam, hardly distinguishable from the rest of the float surface. Liquid level floats can also be constructed with thermoplastic corrosion-resistant materials. These materials include PVC,

polypropylene Polypropylene (PP), also known as polypropene, is a thermoplastic polymer used in a wide variety of applications. It is produced via chain-growth polymerization from the monomer Propene, propylene. Polypropylene belongs to the group of polyolefin ...

and PVDF. An example of an application that would require such materials would be if a manufacturer of metal plating and metal finishing lines required continuous level measurement of their chromic acid tanks. Stainless Steel would rapidly corrode in chromic acid, which is why one would have the option to go with a PVDF float, which is a material with great chemical resistance to chromic acid. Thermoplastic level floats are a great alternative to some other forms of level sensors such as ultrasonic or radar when dealing with corrosive chemical applications. This is because some chemicals create vapor blankets or corrosive fumes inside of tanks. Liquid level floats are unaffected by any foam, vapor, turbulence or condensate inside of the tanks that would normally cause issues with an ultrasonic or radar level sensor.

References

{{reflist Liquids Fluid dynamics Volumetric instruments Mechanical engineering Buoyancy

See also

References