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Diaphragm Pressure Sensors Instrumentation Tools

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INSTRUMENTATION TOOLS

Diaphragm Pressure Sensors

The Diaphragm Pressure Gauge uses the elastic deformation of a diaphragm


(i.e. membrane) instead of a liquid level to measure the difference between an
unknown pressure and a reference pressure.
A typical Diaphragm pressure gauge contains a capsule divided by a diaphragm,
as shown in the schematic below. One side of the diaphragm is open to the
external targeted pressure, PExt, and the other side is connected to a known
pressure, PRef,. The pressure difference, PExt PRef, mechanically deflects the
diaphragm.

The membrane deflection can be measured in any number of ways. For example,
it can be detected via a mechanically-coupled indicating needle, an attached
strain gage, a linear variable differential transformer(LVDT; see the schematic
below), or with many other displacement/velocity sensors. Once known, the
deflection can be converted to a pressure loading using plate theory.
Many pressure sensors depend on the deflection of a diaphragm for
measurement. The diaphragm is a flexible disc, which can be either flat or with
concentric corrugations and is made from sheet metal with high tolerance
dimensions.
The diaphragm can be used as a means of isolating the process fluids, or for
high- pressure applications. It is also useful in providing pressure measurement

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with electrical transducers.

Diaphragms are well developed and proven. Modern designs have negligible
hysteresis, friction and calibration problems when used with smart
instrumentation.
They are used extensively on air conditioning plants and for ON/OFF switching
applications.
Selection
The selection of diaphragm materials is important, and are
very much dependent on the application. Beryllium copper
has good elastic qualities, where Ni-Span C has a very low
temperature coefficient of elasticity.
Stainless steel and Inconel are used in extreme temperature applications, and are
also suited for corrosive environments. For minimum hysteresis and drift, then
Quartz is the best choice.
There are two main types of construction and operation of diaphragm sensors.
They are:
Motion Balanced
Force Balanced

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Motion balanced designs are used to control local, direct reading indicators. They
are however more prone to hysteresis and friction errors.
Force balanced designs are used as transmitters for relaying information with a
high accuracy, however they do not have direct indication capability.
Advantages
Provide isolation from process fluid
Good for low pressure
Wide range
Reliable and proven
Used to measure gauge, atmospheric and differential pressure

Cons
More expensive then other pressure sensors.

POSTED BY S BHARADWAJ REDDY


Instrumentation Professional Working in a reputed Oil & Gas Company.

6/4/2016 4:50 PM

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