FLUID MECHANICS LABORATORY

Duhok Polytechnic University

Technical College of Engineering
Chemical Engineering Department

Lecturer's Name: Experiment No. (3)

Mr. Kawar Abid Group (A2)

Title of Experiment:

Fundamental of Pressure Measurement

Student Name:

Hayder Hassan Hussain

Date Expt. Performed:

24/01/2022

Date Report Submitted:

31/01/2022
Objective:

Familiarization with two different measuring methods:

1. Working principle of a Bourdon tube pressure gauge,
2. Calibrating mechanical manometers.
3. Determine systematic errors
4. Principle of operation and working with a piston manometer

Introduction:

Pressure measurement is crucial in the engineering business, such as

in the construction of plants, turbomachines, and airplanes, as well as
in process engineering. A pressure measurement can also be used to
determine other essential parameters like flow rate or flow velocity.

The user can use the experimental device to measure pressure using two
distinct methods:

1. Using a U-tube manometer or an inclined tube manometer to measure

the length of a liquid column, and

2. Indirectly, by observing a Bourdon tube's form change (Bourdon tube

pressure gauge).

The pressure in a U-tube manometer causes the liquid column to move.

The applied pressure is measured by the pressure differential, which
is read directly from a scale. One leg of an inclined tube manometer
points diagonally up. As a result, even a little height variation greatly
alters the length of the liquid column.

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The Bourdon tube pressure gauge works on the premise of a change in
cross-section of a bent Bourdon tube under pressure. The Bourdon
tube diameter expands as a result of the change in cross-section. A
Bourdon tube pressure gauge is therefore an indirectly acting pressure
gauge with a transmission gearing and a pointer to display the pressure
differential.

Pressures in the millibar range are created with a plastic syringe and
exhibited on manometers during investigations. Two Bourdon tube
pressure gauges are installed in the experimental unit to measure
positive and negative pressure. Tubes can be used to integrate the U-
tube manometer, inclined tube manometer, and Bourdon tube pressure
gauges in the experimental unit. A calibration device allows a weight-
loaded piston manometer to be used to calibrate an extra Bourdon tube
pressure gauge.

Fig. (1)

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Equipment:

1. Direct method with U-tube manometer and inclined tube manometer,

see Fig. (1).

Fig. (2) U-tube manometer and inclined tube manometer

2. Indirect method with Bourdon tube pressure gauge, see Fig. (2).

Fig. (3) Bourdon tube pressure gauge

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Procedure:

Step 1 (Part 1, A):

The pressure of a fluid (consisting of water ink) was measured the density of that
fluid was (9810 N/m^3) first using U tube manometer, the pressure was pumped to
the tube and the fluid raised from one side more than the other side the difference in
the height was measured and the pressure was found using the law [𝛾ℎ].

Step 2

The manometer measured a pressure also, it must be the same or close to the pressure
that was found by law because it’s the pressure of same fluid but with the readings
in the manometer and by law.

Step 3 (part 1, B):

An inclined tube was used to find the pressure and the fluid was water, the pressure
was pumped to the tube and the difference of height was measured but it’s not the
correct height

Step 4 (part 2, A): (real pressure)

The mass of the loads and the area of cross section (circle) that pushes the oil was
measured by getting its diameter. The mass was converted to weight (w=m*g) and
used in the law of pressure (P=force/Area) the pressure was found for six different
weights and six pressure were found each for a load. This pressure is called the real
pressure because its more accurate.

Step 5 (Part 2 B): (gauge reading)

the same weights were used each at a time and the pressure at the manometer was
measured each time by (Barr) when the load is increased the pressure measured is
(increasing pressure), a pump was used also to pump the water when it’s not making
pressure (the pump should be used carefully until the water doesn’t come out of the
tube.

Step 6:

All the weights were added and six different pressure data were found, then the loads
were taking of each at a time and the pressure the manometer reads were (decreasing
pressure). The pressure increasing and decreasing were found to find out the error
percentage that the device has.

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Results and Calculations:
1. U-tube manometer and inclined tube manometer, see Fig. (4)
The pressure in a liquid at a given depth is called the hydrostatic pressure.
This can be calculated using the hydrostatic equation
Where: 𝑷=𝜸𝒉 𝒐𝒓 𝑷=𝝆𝒈𝒉
P = the pressure,
𝜸= the specific weight
𝝆= the density of the liquid,
g = gravity (9.8 m/s2) and
h = the depth (or height) of the liquid.

h1=125 h2=168

∆h=h2-h1= 168-125= 43mm ∆h= 0.043m

p1=𝜸h =9810 N/m3 *0.043m= 421.83 pa

p1= 4 mbar = 4*10-3 bar

100000 pa
p1= 4*10-3 bar * = 400 pa
1 bar

∆h= 160mm = 0.16m Fig. (4) Manometer tube

P2= - 𝜸h = -9810 N/m3 *0.16m= -1569.6 pa

100000
P2= -16 mbar = -0.016 bar , -0.016 bar * = −1600 Pa
1 bar

Table (1): Manometer tube

U-tube manometer
No. 𝜸 dh 𝑷=𝜸 dh

1 9810 N/m3 0.043 m 421.83 pa

2 9810 N/m3 0.16 m -1569.6 pa

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2. Bourdon tube pressure gauge:

The use of the piston and weights with the cylinder generates a measurable

reference pressure:

P= F/A = Mg/A

F= Force applied to the liquid in the calibrator cylinder in Newton (N).

M= Total mass including the mass of the piston in kilogram (kg).

A= Cross-sectional area of the piston in square meter (m2).

g= Acceleration due to gravity in meter per square second (m/s2).

The true pressure by dividing the weight (N) by the piston area, for example, as

shown in Table (2).

Absolute error = | True pressure – Gauge reading |

| True pressure – Gauge reading |

Relative error =
True Pressure

| True pressure – Gauge reading |

% error = ∗ 100
True Pressure

P= F/A = W/A = mg

d= 12mm = 0.012m
r= 6*10-3m
A= r2= 1.13*10-4m2

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 Table (2): True pressure and gauge reading
Total load
including piston Gauge Reading
True
weight
pressure
Inc Inc Dec Dec
N/m2 % %
M (kg) w p p P P
Error Error
(bar) (Pa) (bar) (Pa)

0.382 3.75 33185.84 0.30 30000 9.59% 0.32 32000 3.57%

0.574 5.63 49823 0.46 46000 7.67% 0.42 42000 15.7%

1.152 11.30 100000 0.99 99000 1% 0.99 99000 1%

1.73 16.97 150176.99 1.48 148000 1.45% 1.48 148000 1.449%

2.308 22.64 200353.98 1.99 199000 0.675% 1.98 198000 1.1749%

2.886 28.31 250530.97 2.49 249000 0.611 2.49 249000 0.611

Graph relationship between the true pressure and gauge reading:

300000

250000

200000

150000

100000

50000

0
0 50000 100000 150000 200000 250000 300000
-50000
0 50000 100000 150000 200000 250000 300000

Increasing pressur (Pa) Increasing pressure % Error

Decreasing pressure (Pa) Decreasing pressure % Error

Fig. (5)
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Discussion:

1- What is deference between U-tube and inclined manometer readings?

The inclined manometer has several advantages, including a small or low amount
of pressure against the inclined manometer in comparison to the tube’s
graduation as well as more graduation scales, such as hundredths of an inch. As
a result, inclined manometer readings are more precise than U tube manometer
readings.

2- Which pressure is more accurate (actual, gauge or manometer)? Explain

why.

Manometers (particularly inclined manometers) are accurate when used

properly, although real pressure is more precise due to the possibility of
inaccuracy.

3- Atmospheric pressure on the earth at sea level?

The mean atmospheric pressure at sea level is given equivalently as

P=101.325 Pa=1 atm= 760 torr.

4- The principle of manometer is?

A manometer is used to measure pressure (static pressure) and operates on the

idea of hydrostatic equilibrium. Hydrostatic equilibrium asserts that the
pressure at any location in a fluid at rest is equal.

5- How can you find specific weight of unknown liquid when you have just head
of liquid?
The density of liquid will be found then the law 𝛾=𝜌∗ℎ will be used to find 𝛾.

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6- Draw by the graph (true pressure increasing and decreasing pressure with
an errors). Fig. (6)

18.00%

16.00%

14.00%

12.00%

10.00%

8.00%

6.00%

4.00%

2.00%

0.00%
0 50000 100000 150000 200000 250000

Decreasing Pressure Increasing Pressure

Fig. (6)

7- What is the unit of pressure in a metric unit?

Pascal(N/𝑚2)

8-Both ends of a U-tube manometer are exposed to the atmosphere. There

exists a possibility that the height difference of the manometer is non-zero.
True or False? With explanation.

Yes, when different immiscible fluids are used in the same manometer, the
height difference may not be zero. Despite the fact that the pressure on both
surfaces is the same, the height will differ because the fluid with a higher
density will be at a lower height.

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9-The below figure shows an inclined U-tube mercury manometer. The
vertical end of the tube is exposed to a gas of gauge pressure 50 kPa and the
inclined end is exposed to the atmosphere. The inclined part of the tube is at
an angle of 30o with the horizontal. Find the value of h (in cm) (take g = 9.8
m/s2, ρ mercury = 13600 kg/m3)

pressure along the dotted line will be 50 kPa gauge pressure in an inclined
manometer is given by P=𝜌∗𝑔∗ℎ∗𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃, 50000=(13600*9.81*h*sin30)
h=0.75 m

10- A manometric liquid should suitably have _________ . (With explanation).

a) Low density & Low Vapor pressure
b) Low density & High Vapor pressure
c) High density & Low Vapor pressure
d) High density & High Vapor pressure

High density & Low vapor pressure, a high density is favorable because the
height of the column required for the manometer would be low. A liquid with
high vapor pressure would be less sensitive to changes in pressure and may
result in a slower rise of the manometric fluid thus a fluid with low vapor
pressure is favorable.

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Conclusion:

The pressure was found using a U-tube, inclined manometer and Bourdon
gauge, and the readings of inclined manometers were found to be more accurate
due to the presence of a lot of graduations on them. There were a small
percentage of errors, the error in the U tube pressure gauge was due to ignoring
the atmospheric pressure above the liquid, and other errors may generally be due
to the wrong measurement of mass or diameter or not converting the pressure
units correctly. One of the mistakes we encountered is the misuse of devices by
others, who used water mixed with ink and oil, which caused the reading not to
be seen clearly, with some equipment such as syringes and valves not working
through which air flows, and the density of water was calculated directly because
the test tubes contained on water mixed with ink and this may negatively affect
the accuracy of the calculations.

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