MODULE 2.

PRESSURE-MEASURING DEVICE AND PRESSURE AT POINT

Topic 1. Pressure measuring device

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson, the students are able to contrast the pressure-measuring
devices

Introduction

In Agricultural and Bio-systems Engineering, pressure play a major role in fields of

pipeline construction, water supply, hydraulics for irrigation and other equally important
fields.

Fluids under pressure can exert forces that can be used to do work. A typical example
is the hydraulic jack used to lift loads. When a fluid moves over or through an object,
it generates pressure on the surface of the object.

Pressure is an important property of fluid which has many real time applications. The
instruments or devices used to measure pressure are called pressure gauges,
pressure meters or vacuum gauges. In order to better understand pressure, it is vital
to know the different pressure measuring devices.

Pressure Measuring Devices

There are various types of pressure measuring devices. The figure below summarizes
the types of measuring devices

Figure 2. Types of pressure measuring devices

A. Manometers

Manometers are devices that can measure the pressure of a fluid by balancing it
against a column of a liquid. A typical manometer usually consists of a glass or
plastic U-tube with one or more fluids. At high pressure differences, heavy fluids
such as mercury are used to keep the size of the device at manageable level
(Cengel, et al. 2006).

a.1. Simple Manometer

 Piezometer

This is a device that measures the pressure of a liquid in a system by

measuring the height to which a column of the liquid rises against gravity. This
can be made of a simple tube attached to a pipe or a container.

Figure 3. Simple piezometer

 U-tube

This type of manometer is a U-shaped tube with one end attached to the
gauge and the other end left open to the atmosphere. It can measure both
positive and negative (suction) pressures. It usually contains liquid of specific
gravity greater than that of a liquid of which the pressure is to be measured
(ME Mechanical Team, 2015).

Figure 4. U-tube Manometer

  Micro-manometer

This type of manometer is a modified form of a simple manometer. It consists

of a limb which is made of larger cross-sectional area. It is used to measure
very small pressure difference with high precision (ME Mechanical Team,
2015).

Figure 5. Vertical column micro-manometer

 Inclined column micro-manometer

This type of manometer is more sensitive than the vertical column micro-
manometer

Figure 6. Inclined column micro-manometer

a. 2. Differential Manometer

 Differential U-tube

A U-tube consists manometric liquid heavier than the liquid for which the
pressure difference is to be measured and is not immiscible with it (ME,
Mechanical Team, 2015).
 Figure 7. Differential U-tube Manometer

B. Mechanical Gauges

b.1. Bourdon Pressure Gauge

This type of pressure gauge is common in many areas. It is used to measure

medium to high pressures. It consists of a semicircular or coiled, flexible metal
tube (commonly called bordon tube) attached to a gauge that records the
degree to which the tube is straightened by the pressure of the gas or liquid
inside. (dictionary.com)

b.2. Bellow Gauge

This type of mechanical gauge is used for the measurement of absolute

pressure. It is more sensitive compared to bourdon pressure gauge. It can be
used for measuring pressures up to 40 mm Hg (automationforum.co)

b.3. Diaphragm Gauge

This device uses a diaphragm with a known pressure to measure pressure in

a fluid. It can be used in monitoring the pressure of a canister of gas, measuring
atmospheric pressure, or recording the strength of the vacuum in a vacuum
pump

b.4. Dead Weight Gauge

This type of gauge is also known by the alternative names of

piston gauge and pressure balance. The fluid pressure is calculated in terms of
the weight added to the platform and the known area of the piston. The
instrument offers the ability to measure pressures to a high degree of accuracy,
and it is widely used as a reference instrument against which other pressure-
measuring instruments are calibrated in the mid-range of pressures.

Activities

1. Watch the pre-recorded lecture on pressure-measuring device. Familiarize

yourself with the pressure-measuring device that was discussed.
2. Read also the e-module in the link provided
http://ecoursesonline.iasri.res.in/mod/resource/view.php?id=95310
http://ecoursesonline.iasri.res.in/mod/resource/view.php?id=95314
http://ecoursesonline.iasri.res.in/mod/resource/view.php?id=147017
http://ecoursesonline.iasri.res.in/mod/resource/view.php?id=147015

Self-Assessment Questions

Identify pressure measuring device given below

1. ____________________
Source: ESSOM HB 011

2. ____________________

3. ____________________

4. ____________________
Bhalla, 2019

5. ____________________
Source: sika.net
Note: Answer to SAQ will be given by the instructor

Topic 2. Pressure

Learning Objectives

At the end of this topic, the students are able to understand pressure and analyze
problems on pressure.

Introduction

Pressure is defined as the force per unit area exerted by a liquid or gas on a surface
or body, with the force acting on a right angle. It mostly deals on liquid or gas (Cengel,
et al, 2006)

Absolute pressure is the actual pressure at a given position. It is measured relative to

absolute zero pressure (absolute vacuum). Vacuum pressure is a pressure below
atmospheric pressure (Cengel, 2006). Vacuum, gauge and absolute pressure are
quantities that are related to each other (Figure xxx).

Pgauge

Pabs Patm Pvac

Absolute Pabs
Pabs= 0
Vacuum

Figure 8. Relationships of absolute, atmospheric, gauge and vacuum pressure

Activities

1. Watch the youtube on the link provided

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJ_zjWyRHX8

2. Read also pressure and pressure at point on the link provided

https://www.kau.edu.sa/Files/0057863/Subjects/Chapter%203.pdf

Self-self Assessment Questions

1. Using the figure above, give the formula for Pabs, Patm, and Pvac.
2. A vacuum gauge connected to a tank reads 39.99 kPa at a location with an
atmospheric pressure of 14.5 psi. Determine the absolute pressure in the tank in
psi.
3. The pressure of a certain substance above an oil (𝑠 = 0.75) surface in a closed
chamber is 115 kPa absolute. Determine the gauge pressure 2 meters below the
surface?

Answer to Self-assessment Questions

2. 8.7 psi
3. 28.39 kPa

Topic 3. Pressure at point within a fluid

Learning Objectives

At the end of the lesson, the students understand what pressure at point is and be
able to apply it in solving problems

Introduction

The pressure at point is related to the Pascal’s law. Pascal’s law states that a pressure
applied anywhere in a confined incompressible fluid is transmitted equally in all
directions throughout the fluid. In an enclosed fluid, since atoms of the fluid are free
to move, they transmit pressure in all parts of the fluid including the walls of the
container. Any change in pressure is transmitted undiminished.

The figure below illustrates the underlying concept of a pressure at a point.

Source: http://www-mdp.eng.cam.ac.uk/web/library/enginfo/aerothermal_dvd_only/aero/fprops/statics/node4.html

Figure 9. Pressure at point

Considering the horizontal and vertical forces,

Fx = 0 = Pxdz*b – Pn*bds sinØ

Fz = 0 = Pzdx*b – Pn*bds cosØ – W

This leads to

Px = Pn and Pz = Pn + ½ pgdz

Px = Pz = Pn = P (at point)

Based on the above results, two deductions can be drawn:

 the pressure along x axis (horizontal direction) does not change.

 the pressure along z axis (vertical direction) changes and is proportional to the
difference in elevation, acceleration due to gravity and density of the fluid

Activities

1. Watch the youtube video in the link provided

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=za82lXUgjM0

2. Read also the reference provided in your kit or in the provided to better
understand the concept of pressure at point
https://www.kau.edu.sa/Files/0057863/Subjects/Chapter%203.pdf

Note: Queries and clarification maybe posted in your group chat/forum.

Self-assessment Questions

1. Define pressure at point.

2. What is the fluid principle related to this concept? State the principle
3. The pressure at point in a dam is 60 kPa. Determine the pressure 27 meters
below this point

Answer to selected self-assessment Questions shall be given by the instructor

3. 332.8 kPa

References

Cengel, Y. A. and Cimbala, J. M. 2006. Fluid Mechanics fundamentals and

applications. The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., 1221 Avenue of the Americas, New
York.

https://me-mechanicalengineering.com/manometer-types/