PITOT TUBE

H I S T O R Y
A pitot (PEE-toh) tube, also known
as pitot probe, is a flow measurement device
used to measure fluid flow velocity. It is widely
used to determine the airspeed of an aircraft,
water speed of a boat, and to measure liquid,
air and gas flow velocities in certain industrial
applications.
Henry Darcy, with the help of Henry Bazin,
published four works that show various forms
of an improved Pitot tube design starting in
1856. While Henri Pitot had invented the device
in 1732, theoretical and design weaknesses had
kept it little more than a scientific toy.
 “
Darcy's instruments provided accurate and easy
measurements of point velocity for the first time. This
allowed advances in open channel and pipe flow
hydraulics. Darcy's final design for the instrument tip
is reflected today in all of our modern instruments.
THEORY OF
OPERATION
 T H E O R Y O F O P E R A T I O N
The basic pitot tube consists of a tube pointing directly into the fluid
flow. As this tube contains fluid, a pressure can be measured; the moving
fluid is brought to rest (stagnates) as there is no outlet to allow flow to
continue. This pressure is the stagnation pressure of the fluid, also known
as the total pressure or (particularly in aviation) the pitot pressure.
The measured stagnation pressure cannot itself be used to
determine the fluid flow velocity (airspeed in aviation).
However, Bernoulli's equation states:

Stagnation pressure = static pressure + dynamic pressure

F O R M U L A

Pt = Ps + (rho)u2
2

u = *sqrt of 2(Pt – Ps) / (rho)

Where:
{u} is the flow velocity;
{Pt} is the stagnation or total pressure;
{Ps} is the static pressure;
{rho } is the fluid density.
 T H E O R Y O F O P E R A T I O N

If a liquid column manometer is used to measure the

pressure difference delta P = Pt – Ps
Delta h = delta P / (rho)t g
where
{delta h} is the height difference of the columns;
{(rho)t} is the density of the liquid in the manometer;
g is the standard acceleration due to gravity.
Therefore,
u = *sqrt of 2 delta h (rho)t g / (rho).
 P R O C E D U R E S:
C A L I B R A T I O N

The S-type pitot tube and/or probe assembly are calibrated in a

wind tunnel against a standard pitot tube having a known coefficient.

1 2 3

when it is to be used in when stubborn accretions when the tube has

compliance testing of particulate matter have sustained damage or
affected the area of the undergone modifications
impact openings
P R O C E D U R E S

Record the ambient

temperature and
barometric pressure.
Locate the two Position the standard pitot tube Turn on the wind tunnel
calibration points. with known coefficient near the fan and allow the flow to
centre of the wind tunnel and Connect the stabilize.
position the S-type pitot tube a manometers to the pitot
Measure the velocity minimum of two tunnel tubes. Ensure that they
pressures at each diameters downstream of the are filled with the fluid
point to ensure that reference. of proper density.
the velocities are the
same.
The Pitot tube is inserted into the duct with the tip pointed toward the
airflow. The positive port of the manometer is connected to the total pressure
port (Pt) and the negative to the static pressure port (Ps). The manometer
will then display velocity pressure which can be converted to velocity.
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 H O W D O E S
I T W O R K ?
A pitot tube is simply a slender tube with two holes. Mainly, it is
used in wind tunnel experiments and measure the flow speed
done by airplanes. In fluid mechanics, a pitot tube is used to
determine the velocity of a fluid flowing through a pipe

Pitot tubes are used to measure airspeed in wind

tunnels and aboard aircraft in flight; they are also
used to measure the flow of liquids
The basic pitot tube consist of a tube pointing directly
into the fluid flow. As this tube contains fluid, a pressure
can be measured; the moving fluid is brought to rest
(stagnates) as there is no outlet to allow flow to continue.
This pressure is the stagnation pressure of the fluid,
also know as the total pressure or (particularly in
aviation) the pitot pressure. The liquid flows up the tube
and when equilibrium is attained, the liquid reaches a
height above the free surface of the water stream.
A pitot tube is a simple round cylinder with one end opened with a small hole and
other end enclosed. The fluid flowing through the pipeline enters the pitot tube and
rest there. There is another chamber within the pitot tube filled with fluid with static
pressure. A diaphragm separates both the chambers.
The pitot tube installed in the flow stream measures the direct pressure at the contact
pitot tube hole and a second measurement is required, being of static pressure. The
difference between the two measurements gives a value for dynamic pressure. The flow
rate, like other devices, is calculated from the square root extractor of the pressure.
 The pitot meter consists of a tube pointing directly toward
the flow. The fluid enters through the impact hole and there can
one or two other holes in the pitot tube, which are the static
pressure source. We should arrange one another pressure sensing
element to measure the static pressure. The axis of tube measuring
the static pressure should be perpendicular to the boundary and
free from burrs so that the boundary is smooth.
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
OF USING PITOT TUBE
Advantages

• Pitot tubes measure pressure levels in a fluid. They do not contain

any moving parts which helps in minimizing frictional losses.
• Pitot tubes are small and can be used in tight spaces that other
devices cannot fit into.
• It is a low cost device
• Low permanent pressure loss
• It is easy and economical to install into an existing system
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
OF USING PITOT TUBE
Disadvantages

• Foreign material in a fluid can easily clog pitot tubes and disrupt
normal readings as a result.
• It has low accuracy
• It has low rangeability
• It has low sensitivity
• It only works better in high velocity flow
• It cannot be used with dirty fluids.
 R E F E R E N C E S:
• http://ec.gc.ca/lcpe-
cepa/default.asp?lang=En&n=CBA5BD1D-1&offset=8
• https://www.trutechtools.com/Measuring-Airflow-
with-a-Pitot-Tube_c_253.html
• https://automationforum.co/pitot-tube-working-
advantages-disadvantagebs/
• https://www.britannica.com/technology/pitot-tube
Thanks!
Group 4- CHE 2101

Caringal, Virgi Vladi

Catena, Camille
Endaya, Kim Brian
Rosales, Twinkle Anne
Tan, Nicole Elizabeth