Module Details

Module Code: PHYS6008
Title: Instrument Measurement
Long Title: Instrument Measurement
NFQ Level: Fundamental
Valid From: Semester 1 - 2024/25 ( September 2024 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 4411 - Physics
Module Delivered in: 7 programme(s)
Module Description: This module introduces the learner to the principles of measurement using a range of instruments. This module will include the theory and principles of operation of instrumentation pertaining to process and other industries.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Describe and apply instrument parameters.
LO2 Explain the principles of operation of level, pressure, temperature and flow measurement instruments.
LO3 Operate pressure, level, temperature and flow instruments and report on their operation utilising Industry 4.0 software from CompuCal and the mobile App CompuCal GO.
LO4 Describe industrial instrumentation as well as identify and explain the function of the major components.
LO5 Solve numerical problems associated with measurement instruments.
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
20325 PHYS6008 Instrument Measurement
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
None
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
None
 
Indicative Content
Instrument Measurement Principles
Role of Instruments in Industrial Processes. Elements of a measuring system. Sensors and transducers. Instrument Parameters.
Data Acquisition
Indicators. Recorders. Data Loggers.
Pressure Measurement and Instrumentation
Definition of Pressure and Units. Absolute, Atmospheric and Gauge Pressure. Diaphragm gauge, bellows gauge, Bourdon gauge. Pressure transmitters.
Flow Measurement and Instrumentation
Volume and mass flow rate; Turbulent flow, streamlined flow and Reynolds number; The Continuity Equation, Bernoulli’s Equation and application to differential pressure devices; Differential pressure primary elements: orifice plate, Venturi tube, Dall tube, flow nozzle and Pitot-static tube. Positive displacement flow meters. Variable-area flow meters.
Level Measurement and Instrumentation
Tank measurements: level, (%) fill, volume and mass.Non-contact measuring systems and direct level measuring systems: the dip stick, the sight glass, floats; differential pressure; purged dip pipe. Relationship between level and content (volume and mass) for cylindrical tanks.
Temperature Measurement and Instrumentation
Definition of temperature and units. Thermometric properties of thermometers. Thermal expansion thermometers. Metal resistance thermometers and thermistors. Thermocouples and pyrometers.
Laboratory Practicals
Response time of a thermocouple. Characteristics of the resistance thermometer and thermistor. Measurement of Orifice Plate and Venturi Tube Characteristics. Dip Pipe Level Measurement System. Strain Gauge Pressure Transducer. Pitot-static tube. Thermocouple characteristics.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework100.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Practical/Skills Evaluation % of Total Mark 35
Timing Every Week Learning Outcomes 1,3,5
Assessment Description
Instrumentation Experiment Worksheets/Reports
Assessment Type Multiple Choice Questions % of Total Mark 30
Timing Week 7 Learning Outcomes 1,2,4
Assessment Description
Theory Assessment 1 on the topics covered to the date of the assessment.
Assessment Type Short Answer Questions % of Total Mark 35
Timing Sem End Learning Outcomes 1,2,4,5
Assessment Description
Theory Assessment 2. Mainly covering material covered in topics after the first assessment, but with some assessment of earlier material.
No End of Module Formal Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Repeat examination
Reassessment of this module will consist of a repeat examination. It is possible that there will also be a requirement to be reassessed in a coursework element.

The University reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Delivery of course material Every Week 3.00 3
Lab Contact Laboratory practical assignments. Includes demonstrations and a sample of CompuCal based calibration certificates. Every Week 1.00 1
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Case studies, extra reading & study material Every Week 3.00 3
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Delivery of course material. Every Week 1.00 1
Lab Contact Laboratory practical assignments. Includes demonstrations and a sample of CompuCal based calibration certificates. Every Week 2.00 2
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Additional content, problem sheets etc. Every Month 1.00 4
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 4.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Bela G. Liptak (editor), Kriszta Venczel (editor). (2016), Instrument and Automation Engineers Handbook: Process Measurement and Analysis, Volume 1, 5th. CRC Press, p.3102, [ISBN: 1466559322].
  • Anders Andersson. (2017), Measurement Technology for Process Automation, 1st. CRC Press, p.150, [ISBN: 113803594].
  • Michael Reader-Harris. (2016), Orifice Plates and Venturi Tubes, 1st. Springer, p.412, [ISBN: 3319359436].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • N. E. Battikha,. (2018), The Condensed Handbook of Measurement and Control (Kindle Edition), 3rd. ISA, p.441, [ISBN: B0092WUBQ0].
  • Alan S. Morris,Reza Langari. (2020), Measurement and Instrumentation, 2nd. 21, Academic Press, p.726, [ISBN: 0128008849].
  • L Michalski. (2001), Temperature Measurement, 2nd. 22, John Wiley and Sons, p.518, [ISBN: 0471867799].
This module does not have any article/paper resources
Other Resources
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_SESST_8 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Environmental Science and Sustainable Technology 3 Mandatory
CR_SINEN_8 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Instrument Engineering 1 Mandatory
CR_SPHYS_7 Bachelor of Science in Applied Physics and Instrumentation 1 Mandatory
CR_SICAL_6 Certificate in Process Instrumentation & Calibration 1 Mandatory
CR_SPHYS_6 Higher Certificate in Science in Applied Physics and Instrumentation 1 Mandatory
CR_SOMNI_7 Physical Sciences (Common Entry) 1 Mandatory
CR_SOMNI_8 Physical Sciences (Common Entry) 1 Mandatory