Presented to the ​Mechanical Engineering Department

De La Salle University - Manila

LBYME2C MODULE 2
Calibration of Vacuum Gauge by Comparison with a U-Tube Manometer"

Names: Olegario, Juan Paolo

Subject & Section: LBYME2C & EF3

Professor: Dr. Archie B. Maglaya
Date Due: December 7, 2020
Date Submitted: December 7, 2020
Rating: ______
REMARKS: __________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
OBJECTIVES
- To calibrate the vacuum gauge by using a U-tube mercury manometer as standard.
- To explain and demonstrate how the vacuum Bourdon-Type pressure gauge operates to
students of the course.

DATA ANALYSIS (For Table 2.2)

1. For each trial, plot the increasing pressure of the vacuum gage against the increasing
vacuum pressure of the U-manometer, and calculate the mean error. Do the same thing
for decreasing pressure of the vacuum gage. Analyze and comment on the errors
obtained.
 The errors in table 2.2 were in an acceptable range, with the cause of the errors possibly
attributed to leakage. It is only in trial 8 that the mean error reached a value of one, with the rest
only erring to 0.5 inch Hg.
2. For statistical analysis, obtain the standard deviation of the U – tube manometer and
vacuum gage readings. Which device is more consistent? Identify potential reasons for
this.
The data in the U-Tube Manometer was more consistent, possibly due to the fact that it is
easier to see a malfunction in the manometer in order to fix it rather than having to take
apart the internal parts of a vacuum gauge to see any malfunctions. Additionally, should
one wish for more accuracy in measuring with U-Tube manometers, they can simply use
the “incline” technique by tilting the apparatus.
3. Plot the curve on the Cartesian coordinate system using Microsoft Excel.
SAMPLE COMPUTATIONS
For Decreasing Pressure:

Pressure Difference, Diff. = Right Leg Pressure – Left Leg Pressure

= 22 - 24.875
= 2.875 in. Hg. vac.
For Increasing Pressure:
Pressure Difference, Diff. = Right Leg Pressure – Left Leg Pressure
= 29.75 – 18.25
= 11.5 in. Hg. vac.

Mean Diff. = (Pressure Diff. of Decreasing Pressure + Pressure Diff. of Increasing Pressure) / 2
= (3.875 + 2.875) / 2
= 3.375 in. Hg vac.

Mean Error Difference = Vacuum Gage Pressure – Mean Difference

= 4 - 3.375
= 0.625 in. Hg vac.

Mean Vacuum Gage Pressure = (Decreasing Pressure + Increasing Pressure) / 2

= (4 + 4) / 2
= 4 in. Hg vac.

Mean Error = [U – Tube Manometer Vacuum Pressure – Mean Vacuum Gage Pressure]
= [4 – 4]
= 0 in. Hg vac.
CONCLUSION

In conclusion, The U-Tube manometer was more consistent and this can be caused by the ease
in determining if there is a defect in the manometer compared to the vacuum gauge where you
need to disassemble the gauge to see any malfunctions. To get more accurate measurements
using the U-Tube manometer, the “incline” technique can be used.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

1. What is the easiest way to determine the leakages in a vacuum line?
- A leak in the vacuum line can either signify that the air entering a system could be
through broken pipes, valves, etc. The easiest method into determining a vacuum
leak is when there is a hissing sound present when the machine is running.
2. Sketch the internal mechanism of the vacuum gage.

-
3. Describe the difference between hook-gage manometer from a vertical micro-manometer.
- The hook-gauge manometer uses an incorporated electric circuit that provides an
alternating current through the fluid then converts it into a direct current which
then provides a signal that the device is ready to be read. Meanwhile the vertical
micro-manometer is a pressure measuring device that is capable of measuring
accurate and small amounts of pressure differences. A micro-manometer can be
compared to that of the u-tube manometer because it uses two limbs. The left part
of the device has a bigger area as that of the right side. This leads to the mercury
flowing to the right limb in small increments.
4. Give at least five other pressure-measuring devices. Describe them accordingly to their
operation and their limitations.
a. Bourdon Pressure Gauge: The Bourdon Pressure Gauge, its principle can be
almost compared to that of the party horn because it opens up when you blow into
it. In this sense the pressure increases when air travels through the system, this
then leads to the Bourdon tube straightening (originally shaped like a C), which
 leads to the pointer moving and indicating the pressure through the means of PSI.
This instrument however responds slowly to pressure change and is sensitive to
shock and vibrations, which might lead to not having precise data.
b. Diaphragm: Used in isolation of process fluids and high-pressure machines. It is
composed of a sheet of metal that is a flexible disc. It is recommended to use in
low pressure scenarios and fluid isolation. It is however incapable of measuring
pressures below 16 mbar.
c. Barometer: Mainly used to measure air pressure. This kind of instrument is used
by weather forecasters as it allows them to interpret the data shown to predict the
possible changes in the weather.
d. Sphygmomanometer: This instrument is used to measure the blood pressure. The
inflatable rubber cuff found in the instrument is wrapped around the arm. The cuff
is then inflated until it constricts the arm then records the pressure. It is slowly
deflated after the cuff’s pressure matches that of the arterial systolic pressure,
blood is able to flow allowing the user to read the blood pressure.
e. Pitot tube: An instrument that is capable of measuring static and dynamic
pressure. The instrument can only efficiently operate when it is placed parallel to
the direction of the fluid flow else errors in reading may arise.
5. Describe the principle behind the U-tube manometer.
- This type of manometer balances two columns of fluids (whether same or not).
One end is attached to a point where the pressure will be measured while the other
is left open to atmospheric pressure. This type is commonly used to measure the
static pressure of water flowing in a horizontal pipe.
6. What are the various units used in pressure measurements? Give at least five. State their
origin and the conversion factors to convert one to the other.
a. KiloPascal (kPa): Named after Blaise Pascal, French Polymath, known for his
contributions in the field of hydrostatic and hydrodynamics
b. Pounds per Square Inch (PSI): Based on avoirdupois units, a measurement system
in weights that uses pounds and ounces as units, which was commonly used in the
13th century.
c. Millibar (mbar): Derived from the Greek word “​βάρος (barons),” which means
weight. It was however used as a unit of weight in the early version of the metric
system (1793-1795).
d. Inches Water (inH2O):Defined by the amount of pressure present in 1 inch of
water. It is a non-SI unit of pressure. Mainly used a unit of measurement in
measuring small differences in pressure.
e. Millimeters Mercury (mmHg): Used as a unit of measuring mercury in Mercury
Manometers, a primitive version of pressure gauges.
f.
KiloPascal Pounds per Millibar Inches Millimeter
 (kPa) Square (mbar) Water s Mercury
Inch (PSI) (inH2O) (mmHg)

1 kPa 1.000 0.145038 10.000 4.01475 7.50062

1 PSI 6.89473 1.000 68.9473 27.6807 51.7148

1 mbar 0.1000 0.0145038 1.000 0.401475 0.750062

1 inH20 0.249081 0.0361 2.49081 1.000 1.86826

1 mmHg 0.133322 0.0193368 1.33322 0.535257 1.000

7. What is an inclined manometer? What are its advantages/disadvantages compared to a

U-tube manometer?
- Both of these manometers function the same way as it takes into account the
atmospheric pressure, but the difference is that the inclined manometer allows a
more in-depth reading as the denominations are increased allowing for a more
accurate data.
8. With the aid of a schematic diagram, explain the principle of operation of a strain-gage
pressure pick up.

- The strain Gauge Pressure Pickup is able to measure the stress and strain of
materials through the principle of deformation of a diaphragm coupled with
resistors. The process of this includes that of when the pressure is exerted the
diameter of the diaphragm decreases which also decreases the resistance. This
then allows the measurement of stress and strain.
9. Define compound U-tube manometer.
- A compound Manometer employs a T joint that allows the use of two different
liquids simultaneously. The elevation provided from the two distinct liquids in
this kind of manometer allows it to display the differential pressure.