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Heriot-Watt University
School of Engineering and Physical Science
Chemical & Petroleum Engineering
Stage 2 Laboratory Experiment
Experiment 5: Methods of Pressure Measurement
Contents
1 Introduction ......................................................................................................... 1
2 Basic Theory ....................................................................................................... 1
3 Flow Diagram ...................................................................................................... 3
4 Operational Notes ............................................................................................... 4
5 Safety Note ......................................................................................................... 4
6 References .......................................................................................................... 4

Introduction

Fluid Mechanics is of major importance in engineering. It involves applying the basic

concepts of mass, momentum and energy balances to fluids. The study of fluids at rest
is known as Fluid Statics, while the study of fluids in motion is known as Fluid
Dynamics.
According to Pascals law, for any fluid in hydrostatic equilibrium, the pressure at any
point in a fluid, which is at rest, must be the same in all directions. The principles of
manometer i.e. hydrostatic pressure relations between points at the same level in
different legs of the manometer tubes is linked to the principles of hydrostatic pressure.
There are different types of industrial and laboratory manometers, among them are Utubes, inclined and well/reservoir manometers.

Basic Theory

An open U-tube manometer consists of a U-tube which is open at the ends of both
branches as shown in figure 1.

Figure 1: U-tube manometer

The U-tube is roughly half-filled with a sealing liquid, in this case water with density,
of 998.2 kg/m3 at 20C. If air pressure is applied to one branch, the column of liquid
is displaced to the other side.
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The difference in height, h of the columns of liquid in both branches is the
mmeasurement for the differential pressure, P between the applied pressure and the
ambient pressure. It can be represented as P = g (h2 h1 )
The inclined tube manometer as shown in Figure 2 works on the same principle as the
U-tube manometer, however the branches are positioned at an angle of less than 90
to each other. The inclination means that a small change in the height of the column
of liquid leads to a significant change in the length of the column of liquid. The greater
the inclination, the greater the resolution of the measurement range of the inclined tube
manometer. The measured column of liquid of the inclined branch, h2 is to be corrected
with the angle of 30.

Figure 2: Inclined manometer with = 30

Bourdon tubes are circular curved tubes with an oval cross-section. The pressure
being measured affects the inside of the tube, whereby the oval cross-section
approaches a circular shape, since the pressure strives to change the cross-section of
the tube to a circle shape. The curvature of the Bourdon tube causes cyclic stress,
which bends the spring. The unrestrained end of the spring moves. A mechanism
converts the size of this movement into a rotary motion, which then moves the needle
and displays the pressure reading on the scale. Figure 3 shows the typical Bourdon
tubes.

Figure 3: Bourdon tubes.

Key Data
A syringe will be given at the start of the experiment to create positive pressure or
negative suction on the connected branch of manometers.
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Flow Diagram

Figure 4: View of the device.

1. Bourdon tube manometer negative pressure
2. Bourdon tube manometer positive pressure
3. Inclined tube manometer

4. U-tube manometer
A-H: Connector
Allocation of the Connector

Different types of manometers are mounted on the device:

Two tube manometers, namely
One U-tube manometer,
One inclined tube manometer
Two Bourdon tube manometers, namely,
Bourdon tube manometer negative pressure,
Bourdon tube manometer positive pressure
Each manometer is connected via hoses to one or more connectors, which are
designed as pneumatic quick connectors. The connectors are used to have
pressures applied,
hoses attached in order to connect a tube manometer and a Bourdon tube
manometer to one another,
stoppers inserted in order to shut off connectors,
the U-tube manometer or inclined tube manometer filled (connectors B and H).
Using a plastic syringe, pressures are generated and applied to one or more
manometers through the measuring hose as shown in Figure 5.

Figure 5: Syringe and connecting hose.

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Operational Notes

This experiment should be set up for you. Do not attempt to change the connections
to the device unless instructed otherwise.
1. Attach the measuring hose to a connector
2. For positive pressure:
Draw up air into the syringe
For negative pressure:
Push the syringe plunger down.
3. Screw the syringe onto the measuring hose
4. To apply positive pressure:
Slowly push the syringe plunger down.
To apply negative pressure:
Slowly draw up the syringe.
For your results, you should first determine using U-tube and inclined manometer
heights, of the water columns in both branches for at least three different positive and
negative pressure respectively. Then compare your results with the reading taken from
Bourdon tube manometers. You need to repeat some of the measurements to gauge
the inherent accuracy and repeatability of the system.

Safety Note

Make sure that the water columns in both branches of the U-tube and inclined
manometer do not rise over the top of the scales. Bourdon tube manometers will be
damaged by pressures that are outside the measurement range.

References

Coulson and Richardson Chemical Engineering Volume 1, Elsevier, 1999

JF Douglas, J Gasiorek Fluid Mechanics, Prentice Hall, 2000

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