Unit IV

Measuring Device –
Pressure
Dhaval N. Yadav
Lecturer (GES CL II)
Chemical Engineering Department
Shri K. J. Polytechnic, Bharuch
Contents

• Pressure Scale
• Different types of pressure measurement devices.

• Pressure Gauge, Principle, Construction & Working of: diaphragm,

Bourdon tube gauge, Dead weight Gauge, Strain gauge
Pressure
Pressure is defined as force acting per unit area.
The force acting must be in a direction normal (perpendicular) to the
exposed surface area.
Mathematically, P=F/A
Where, P = Pressure
F= Force acting normal (perpendicular) to the surface
A = Area on which force acts
Pressure Unit Conversion
To Convert From To Torr Multiply By
mm Hg to torr 1
inches Hg to torr 25.4
inches of Water to torr 1.87
Feet of water to torr 22.39
Atmospheres (bars) to torr 760
Psia to torr 51.7
Kilopascal to torr 7.5
Microns to torr 0.001
Types of Pressure
Gauge Pressure
• Most Liquid pressure gauges use atmospheric pressure as a zero point i.e.
they indicate a pressure of zero psi at the surface of a liquid even though
the pressure is actually 14.7 psi (1kgf/cm2). i.e it is the pressure indicated
by most pressure measuring gauges.

• A gauge that indicates zero at the atmospheric pressure measures the

difference between actual and atmospheric pressure. This difference is
called Gauge Pressure.
Absolute Pressure

• Absolute pressure is actual total pressure (including atmospheric

pressure) acting on a surface.

• It is abbreviated as psia. (pounds per square inch absolute)

Vacuum or Differential Pressure

• Gauges that indicate gauge pressures are designed to indicate

pressures below zero.

• Such a gauge is called Vacuum Gauge

• And the pressure measured in called Vacuum Pressure.

Velocity Pressure

• The difference between the total pressure and static pressure is called
Velocity Pressure.

Velocity Pressure = Total Pressure – Static Pressure

Pressure Measuring Devices
• Most pressure measuring instruments measure a difference between two pressures, out
of which one is usually atmospheric pressure.

 Using Manometers

 Using Elastic Pressure Transducers

 Pressure measurement by Measuring Vacuum

 Pressure measurement by balancing the force produced on a known area by a

measured force

 Electrical Pressure Transducers

Pressure Measurement using Pressure
Transducers

Bourdon
Diaphragm Tube

Bellows
Bourdon Tube Pressure Gauge
Principle

• It operates based on the principle that a curved metal tube tends to

straighten when filled with pressure

• Utilizes a C-shaped or helical Bourdon tube that expands with pressure.

• Most widely used

• Range 0-15 psig to 0-100,000 psig as well as vacuum from 0 to 30 mmHg

Construction and Range

• C-shaped or helical metal tube (Bourdon tube)

MOC: phosphor bronze, steel and beryllium copper etc

• Pressure port connected to the tube inlet

• Gear mechanism amplifies tube movement

• Pointer attached to the gear mechanism

Working
• As the fluid under pressure enters the bourdon tube, it tries to change the
section of the tube from oval to circular.
• As a result the tube tries to straighten out.
• A gear mechanism amplifies the small movement of the tube and rotates a
pointer attached to it.
• The resulting movement of the free end of the tube causes the pointer to
move over the scale.
Advantages

• Simple and Robust Construction • No External Power Required

• Wide Pressure Range • Suitable for Harsh Environments:

• Cost-Effective

• Easy to Read:

• High Repeatability
Disadvantages

• They have low spring gradient (i.e. below 50 psig).

• They are susceptible to shock and vibrations.

• They are susceptible to hysteresis.

Diaphragm Gauge
• A mechanical device
• Widely Used For Pressure And Draft Measurements, Particularly In Very
Low Range.
• Can Detect A Pressure differential in range of 0 to 4mm
• The diaphragms can be in the form of flat, corrugated or dish plates
• Can be used to convert pressure changes into an electrical signal (after
modification)
 Diaphragm
Gauge

Metallic Slack
Diaphragm Diaphragm
Gauges Gauges
Metallic Diaphragm
Construction and Working

• Consists of a thin flexible diaphragm

• MOC: Stainless steel or inconel

• Pointer mechanism

• Force exerted by the fluid on the diaphragm causes the diaphragm to

deflect.

• Amount of deflection is proportional to the amount of pressure applied.

Construction and Working

• Possess good spring characteristics, which makes them suitable for a

wide range of pressure applications

• Capable of working in any position and is portable

• Well adapted for use or for installation in moving equipments such as

aircrafts.
Slack Diaphragm
Construction and Working

• Made of rubber or other flexible material.

• Utilizes the fact that a diaphragm with a large area produces larger
deflection even for a small change in pressure

• Used for pressure ranges as low as 0.01 – 0.40 mm Hg.

• Used to measure pressure below the atmospheric pressure value

Advantages of Diaphragm Gauge

• Small in size and Moderate in cost.

• Possess high over-range characteristics.

• Adaptable to absolute and differential pressure measurement.

• Good linearity.

• Available in several materials for good corrosion resistance.

• Adaptable to slurry services.

Disadvantages of Diaphragm Gauge

• Lack good vibration and shock resistance.

• Difficult to repair.

• Limited to relatively low pressure.

Dead Weight Gauge
Principle

• Dead Weight Tester

• A primary pressure standard used to calibrate other pressure gauge

• Operates on the principle of balancing pressure with weight

Construction

• Cylinder and Piston: Creates a high-pressure chamber

• Weight Platform: Holds calibrated weights to generate pressure

• Pressure Medium: Fluid filling the chamber (oil is common)

• Gauge Port: Connects the DWG to the gauge under calibration

• Vent Valve: Controls pressure within the chamber

Working
• Connect the gauge to be calibrated to the DWG port.
• Close the vent valve and slowly add weights to the platform.
• As weight is added, pressure in the chamber increases.
• The pressure gauge reading is compared to the calculated pressure based
on weight and piston area (P = F/A).
• Adjustments can be made to the gauge being calibrated if necessary.
• The vent valve is opened to release pressure and remove weights.
Advantages

• High Accuracy: Considered the most accurate method of pressure

calibration

• Wide Pressure Range: Can calibrate gauges across a broad pressure

spectrum

• Reliable Operation: Simple design with minimal moving parts

Disadvantages

• Cost: DWGs can be expensive compared to other calibration methods

• Complexity: Requires a skilled operator for proper use and

interpretation

• Portability: Large and heavy units can be difficult to transport

Applications

• Calibration of various pressure measuring instruments

• Used in laboratories and industrial settings for pressure measurement

validation

• Critical for applications requiring high precision, such as aerospace

and medical fields
Strain Gauge
References

• Industrial Instrumentation by Donald P. Eckman

• Industrial Instrumentation and Control by S. K. Singh

• Process Instrumentation And Control by A. P. Kulkarni

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