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TYPES OF PRESSURES

1. Atmospheric Pressure & Vacuum ( P atm)

The atmospheric pressure is the pressure that an area experiences due to the force exerted by the atmosphere.
This pressure is commonly affected by altitude, wind velocity, and temperature. it is the pressure at any one point
on the earth’s surface from the weight of the air above it. A vacuum is a space that has all matter removed from it. A
vacuum is quantified in terms of how much its pressure is below atmospheric pressure. For example, if air is
pumped out of a pressure vessel until the internal pressure is 10.0 psi, and if atmospheric pressure is standard (i.e.,
14.7 psi), the pressure in the vessel could be indicated as a vacuum of 14.7 10.0, or 4.7 psi. At sea level under
normal conditions the equivalent values of the atmospheric pressure are 1.03 kg/cm or 10.3m of water, or 76 cm
of mercury, or 101.3 kPa:

It is impossible to create a perfect vacuum in the laboratory; no matter how advanced a vacuum system is, some
molecules are always present in the vacuum area. Even remote regions of outer space have a small amount of gas.
A vacuum can also be described as a region of space where the pressure is less than the normal atmospheric
pressure of 760 mm (29.9 in) of mercury.

In the context of pressure, the term vacuum is used to refer to a space that has a pressure less than atmospheric
pressure. Atmospheric pressure refers, of course, to the prevailing pressure in the air around us. It varies
somewhat with changing weather conditions, and it decreases with increasing altitude. At sea level, average
atmospheric pressure is 14.7 psi, 101.3 kPa, 29.9 in (760 mm) of mercury, or 1 atmosphere. This is commonly
referred to as “standard atmospheric pressure.”

The normal pressure exerted by atmospheric air upon all surfaces with which it is in contact. It varies with the
altitude measured by means of a barometer, also called Barometric Pressure. Aneroid barometer is also commonly
used to measure local atmospheric pressure.

Atmospheric Pressure could be solved using the formula, P=F / A=(m∗g)/ A , where A is for the surface area, m
for mass, and g for the acceleration due to gravity.

Under Normal conditions at sea level

Patm = 2166 lb/ft²

= 14.7 psi

= 29.9 inches of mercury (hg)

= 760 mm Hg

= 101.325 kPa
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Pressure measurements are generally indicated as being either absolute pressure or gage pressure.

2. Gage Pressure (Relative Pressure)( Pgage)

Gage pressures are pressures above or below the atmosphere and can be measured by pressure gauges or
manometers. Gage pressure is measured with atmospheric pressure as its base. These can be positive or negative.
The pressure below atmospheric pressure is designated as vacuum pressure (or suction pressure or negative
gauge pressure). Thus, if a fluid pressure is 5.5 kPa above standard atmospheric pressure (101.3 kPa), its gage
pressure would be 5.5 kPa and its absolute pressure 5.5 +101.3, or 106.8 kPa.

For small pressure differences, a U- tube manometer is used. It consists of a U-shaped tube with one end connected
to the container and the other open to the atmosphere. Filled with a liquid, such as water, oil, or mercury, the
difference in the liquid surface levels in the two manometer legs indicates the pressure difference from local
atmospheric conditions. For higher pressure differences, a Bourdon gauge, named after the French inventor
Eugène Bourdon, is used. This consists of a hollow metal tube with an oval cross section, bent in the shape of a
hook. One end of the tube is closed, the other open and connected to the measurement region.

3. Absolute Pressure(Pabs)

Absolute pressure is the pressure above absolute zero (or complete vacuum). It is the lowest possible pressure
and the pressure that would exist in a perfect vacuum, as its base (i.e., zero reading), i.e., the algebraic sum of
atmospheric and gauge pressures.

Pabs=Pgage+ Patm
Where: Pabs= Absolute pressure

Pgage=Gage pressure
Patm= Atmospheric pressure
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Note:

Absolute zero is attained if all air is removed. It is the lowest possible pressure attainable.

Absolute pressure can never be negative. All values of absolute pressure are positive.

The smallest gage pressure is equal to the negative of the ambient atmospheric pressure.

Main Relationships:

Absolute Pressure =Atmospheric Pressure+ Positive Gauge Pressure .

Absolute Pressure =Atmospheric Pressure−Vacuum Pressure .

Sometimes absolute and gage pressures are indicated by appending “a” or “g.” Respectively, to the pressure units
(e.g., psia or psig). If no a or g (or other indication) is given, pressure is usually gage pressure.

Figure 3.2 shows a graphical

interpretation of this equation.

1. A perfect vacuum is the lowest

possible pressure. Therefore, an
absolute pressure will always be
positive.

2. A gage pressure above

atmospheric pressure is positive.

3. A gage pressure below

atmospheric pressure is negative,

Sometimes called vacuum.

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4. Gage pressure will be indicated in the units of
Pa(gage) Or psig.

5. Absolute pressure will be indicated in the units of

Pa(abs) or psia.

6. The magnitude of the atmospheric pressure varies

with location and with climatic conditions. The
barometric pressure as broadcast in weather reports
is an indication of the continually varying
atmospheric pressure.

7. The range of normal variation of atmospheric

pressure near Earth’s surface is approximately from
95 kPa(abs) to 105 kPa(abs), or from 13.8 psia to
15.3 psia.

8. At sea level, the standard atmospheric pressure is 101.3 kPa(abs), or 14.69 psia.

9. We will assume the atmospheric pressure to be 101 kPa(abs), or 14.7 psia, unless the prevailing atmospheric
pressure is given.

MEASUREMENT OF FLUID PRESSURE:

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A. Piezometer: It consists of a glass tube, open at one end to the atmosphere and another end inserted in
the wall of a pipe or a vessel. The height up to which the liquid rises in the tube is called pressure head
and the pressure P= wh.
Suitable for measuring moderate gauge pressures of liquids. Not suitable for high pressures, suction
pressures and pressures of gases.
B. Manometer: Pressure measuring device based on the principle of balancing the column of a liquid
(whose pressure is to be found) by the same or another column of liquid.)
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a) U-Tube Manometer: Consists

of a U- shaped bend unit
whose one end is attached to
the gauge point and other is
open to the atmosphere. Can
measure both positive as well
as negative pressures.
Contains liquid of specific
gravity greater than that of
the fluid of which the
pressure is to be measured.
b) Inverted U-Tube Manometer: Consists of an inverted U-Tube containing a light liquid.
This is used only to measure the difference of low pressures between two points where better
accuracy is required. It generally consists of an air cock at top.
c) Differential Manometer. A U-Tube manometric liquid heavier than the liquid for which the
pressure difference is to be measured, and is not immiscible with it (generally mercury)
d) Micro Manometer: Modified form of a simple manometer whose one limb is made of larger
cross-sectional area.
-measurement of very small pr. differences with very high precision are made possible.

C. Mechanical Gauges: Generally used for

measuring high pressures where high
precision is not required. Eg: Bourdon
Pressure Gauge Measures Gauge
Pressures.

D. Aneroid Barometer: used to measure local atmospheric pressure.

(Absolute pressure)
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Atmospheric Sample Problems:

Problem #1. What is the atmospheric pressure on a planet if the absolute pressure is 100 kPa and the gage
pressure is 10 kPa?

Solution:

Pabs=Pgage+ Patm
100 kPa=10 kPa+ Patm
Patm=90 kPa
Gage Sample Problems:

Problem #1. If the pressure in the air space above an oil (s = 0.75) surface in a closed tank is 115 kPa absolute,
what is the gage pressure 2 m below the surface?

Solution:

P=Psurface+ yh
Psurface=115 101.325 Note : Patm=101.325 kPa
Psurface=13.675 kPa gage

P=13.675+(9.81 x 0.75)(2)
P=28.39 kPa
Problem #2. Express a pressure of 225 kPa(abs) as a gage pressure. The local atmospheric pressure is 101
kPa(abs).

Solution:

Pabs=Pgage+ Patm

Solving algebraically for Pgage gives:

Pgage=Pabs – Patm
Pgage=225 kPa¿

¿ 124 kPa( gage)

Problem #3. Express a pressure of 10.9 psia as a gage pressure. The local atmospheric pressure is 15.0 psia.

Solution:

Pabs=Pgage+ Patm
Pgage=Pabs – Patm
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Pgage=10.9 psia – 15.0 psia
¿−4.1 psig
Notice that the result is negative. This can also be read
“ 4.1 psi below atmospheric pressure”∨“ 4.1 psi vacuum. ”

Absolute Sample Problems:

Problem #1. Find the absolute pressure in kPa at a depth of 10m below the free surface of oil of sp. Gr. 0.75 if the
barometric reading is 752 mmHg.

Solution:

Pabs=Patm+ Pgage
Ptm=Ym hm

¿( 9.81 x 13.6)( 0.752)

Patm=100.329 kPa

Pabs=100.329+(9.81 x 0.75)(10)
Pabs=173.9 kPa
Problem #2. If atmospheric pressure is 95.7 kPa and the gage attached to the tank reads 188 mmHg vacuum, find
the absolute pressure within the tank.

Solution:

Pabs=Patm+ Pgage
Pgage=Ymercury hmercury

¿(9.81 x 13.6)(0.188)
¿ 25.08 kPa vacuum
Pgage=−25.08 kPa

Pabs=95.7+(−25.08)
Pabs=70.62 kPa|¿|
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Problem #3. A barometer reads 760 mmHg and a pressure gage attached to a tank reads 850 cm of oil (sp. Gr.
0.80). What is the absolute pressure in the tank in kPa?

Solution:

Pabs=Patm+ Pgage

¿( 9.81 x 13.6)( 0.76)+(9.81 x 0.8)(8.5)

Pabs=168.1 kPa|¿|

Problem #4. A gage on the suction side of a pump shows a vacuum of 250 mm of mercury.

➀ Compute the pressure head in meters of water.

➁ Compute the pressure in kPa.

➂ Compute the absolute pressure in kPa, if the barometer reads 725 mm of Mercury.

Solution:

➀ Pressure head in meters of water

H=−250(13.6)=−3400 mm=−3.4 meters of water

➁ Pressure head in meters of water

P=wh=9.81(−3.4 )=−33.354 kPa

➂ Absolute pressure

Pa 101.356
=
725 760
Pa=96.69 KPa
Pabs=−33.354+96.69

Pabs=63.33 kPa(absolute)

Problem #5. Newfound Lake, a freshwater lake near Bristol, New Hampshire, has a maximum depth of 60 m, and
the mean atmospheric pressure is 91 kPa. Estimate the absolute pressure in kPa at this maximum depth.

Pmax=Pa− yz
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N
¿ 91,000 Pa−(9790 )(−60 m)
m³
¿ 678,400 Pa
≈ 678 kPa

Problem # 6. The air pressure within the bicycle tire is determined from a gage to be 10 psi, Fig. 2-5. If the local
atmospheric pressure is 12.6 psi, determine the absolute pressure in the tire. Report the answer in pascals.

Pabs=Patm+ Pg

Pabs=12.6 lb/¿ ²+10 lb/¿ ²

Pabs=
( 12.6i n lb )¿ ¿
2

¿ 155.82(10³) N / m2
¿ 156 kPa

Problem #7. Express a pressure of 155 kPa(gage) as an absolute pressure. The local atmospheric pressure is

3.1 98 kPa(abs).

Solution:

Pabs=Pgage+ Patm

Pabs=155 kPa( gage)+ 98 KPa ¿

¿ 253 kPa ¿
Notice that the units in this calculation are kilopascals (kPa) for each term and are consistent. The indication of
gage or absolute is for convenience and clarity.

Problem #8. Express a pressure of -6.2 psig as an absolute pressure.

Solution:
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Pabs=Pgage+ Patm

Because no value was given for the atmospheric pressure, we will use Patm14.7 psia:

Pabs=−6.2 psig+14.7 psia

¿ 8.5 psia

APPLICATION OF ATMOSPHERIC, GAGE, AND ABSOLUTE PRESSURE IN REAL LIFE

Applications of atmospheric pressure:

1. Syringe: When the piston is pulled up, the atmospheric pressure inside the cylinder will decrease. The
atmospheric pressure outside pushes the liquid up into the syringe.

2. Straw: When a person sucks through the straw, the pressure in the straw becomes low.
The atmospheric pressure outside which is higher will force the water into the straw and consequently into the
mouth.

3. Vacuum cleaner: When a vacuum cleaner is switched on, it sucks out the air inside the cleaner, causing the
pressure inside the cleaner to become low. The atmospheric pressure which is higher in magnitude forces the air
and dust particles into the cleaner.

4. Siphon: It is only a rubber cylinder utilised for exchange fluid. For instance, occasionally, people utilise rubber
cylinder to exchange oil starting with one compartment then onto the next. This sort of game plan is known as
siphon.

Gage Pressures are used in various sectors in different applications:

1. Used to measure the pressure of liquids, vapors, solids, and gases.

2. It is used for the inspection of air brakes on trucks.
3. Used in chemical, petrochemical, sanitary, pharmaceutical, and process industries.
4. Used in HVAC, refrigeration, ventilation, food, and beverage industries
5. They are also used in eliminating the potential leak paths.

Absolute pressure applications

One application for absolute pressure sensors is measuring barometric pressure variations due to
changes in high and low atmospheric pressure created by weather patterns.
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