Table of Contents

Experiment 8 Pressure Calibration using pressure calibration bench

8.1 Abstract ................................................................................................................................... 3

8.2 Apparatus ................................................................................................................................ 3
8.3 Theory ......................................................................................................................................3
8.4 Procedure ................................................................................................................................ 5
8.5 Observation and Calculation ................................................................................................... 7
8.6 Discussion ............................................................................................................................... 8

8.7 Conclusion………………………………………………………….……….……….……….8

List of Figures
Figure 1: Manometer …………….…………………………………………..3
Figure 2: Bourdon Tube Gauge …………….………………………………..4
Figure 3 Piezoelectric Pressure Transducer ………………………………….4

List of Tables

Table 1: Observations of Transducer and Manometer…………………………………………….6

Table 2: Observations of Bourdon Tube and Manometer……………………....………………….7

2
8.1 Abstract

The main objective of this experiment was the study of Pressure Calibration using Pressure Calibration
Benches. Its purpose involved completing the calibration by comparing the pressure measurements
recorded by the sensors to those shown by the manometers. Errors from the Bourdon Tube and
Transducer were displayed in comparison to the Mercury Manometer. The amount of errors calculated
determined the instrument calibration level.

8.2 Apparatus

1. Bourdon tube gauge

2. Calibration Bench
3. Compressor
4. Pressure Transducer
5. Manometer

8.3 Theory
Manometer

Manometers consist of a column of liquid in a tube whose ends are exposed to different pressures. The
column will rise or fall until its weight (a force produced by gravity) is balanced by the pressure
difference between the tube's two ends (a force applied due to fluid pressure). A very simple variant is a
U-shaped tube half-filled with liquid, with one side linked to the region of interest and the other with the
reference pressure (which might be air pressure or a vacuum). The applied pressure is represented by the
difference in liquid levels.

Figure 1 Manometer

3
Bourdon Tube Gauge

When pressurized, a flattened tube tends to straighten or regain its circular cross-section, which is how
the Bourdon pressure gauge works. This change in cross-section may be barely visible with moderate
loads within the elastic range of easily workable materials. The strain on the material is increased by
shaping the tube into a C shape or even a helix, and the entire tube tends to straighten out or uncoil
elastically as it is pressured. In practice, a closed-end tube with a flattened thin wall is connected at the
hollow end to a fixed pipe containing the fluid pressure to be measured. The closed end moves along an
arc as the pressure increases, and this motion is transferred into the rotation of a (part of a) gear by a
connecting link that is usually adjustable. Because the pointer shaft has a small-diameter pinion gear, the
motion is exaggerated even more by the gear ratio. In contrast to absolute pressure, Bourdon tubes
measure gauge pressure, which is relative to ambient atmospheric pressure; the vacuum is sensed as a
reverse motion.

Figure 2 Bourdon Tube Gauge

Piezoelectric Pressure Transducer

The piezoelectric effect in certain materials, such as quartz, is used to measure the strain on the sensor
mechanism caused by pressure. When a force is applied to a piezoelectric crystal, it generates an electric
charge across its face. This can be measured using a voltage proportional to the pressure (see diagram to
the right). A charge is generated across the sensor as a result of a specific static force. This, however,
will fade over time due to poor insulation, internal sensor resistance, attached electronics, and other
factors. As a result, piezoelectric sensors are rarely used for static pressure measurement. Even in the
presence of continuous pressure, the output signal will gradually decline to zero. However, they are
sensitive to dynamic pressure changes over a wide range of frequencies and pressures. Because of their
dynamic sensitivity, they can detect even minor changes in pressure in a high-pressure environment.

Figure 3 Piezoelectric Pressure Transducer

4
8.4 Procedure

➢ To measure pressure using a Mercury manometer/water Manometer/Inclined

Manometer
1. Turn the pump on. The pump takes air from the atmosphere and compresses it to higher pressure.
2. Connect the pressure outlet from the compressor to the limb of the mercury manometer. For
pressure above atmospheric pressure outlet to be connected to a limb of manometer containing
higher mercury level. In the case of a vacuum, the pressure outlet is to be connected to the limb of
the manometer containing a lower mercury level.
3. The pressure to be measured should lie within the pressure-measuring limits of a particular device.
4. Measure the difference in height after applying pressure. And convert it into pressure.
5. Use steps 1-4 for the water manometer and inclined manometer. For inclined manometer.
Angle is to be accommodated in pressure calculations.

➢ To measure pressure using a pressure transducer

1. Turn the pump on. The pump takes air from the atmosphere and compresses it to higher pressure.
2. Connect the pressure outlet from the compressor to the inlet of the pressure transducer.
3. The pressure to be measured should lie within the pressure-measuring limits of a particular device.
4. Measure the pressure from an analog dial gauge.

➢ To measure pressure using the Bourdon gauge

1. Turn the pump on. The pump takes air from the atmosphere and compresses it to higher pressure.
2. Connect the pressure outlet from the compressor to the inlet of the Bourdon gauge.
3. The pressure to be measured should lie within the pressure-measuring limits of a particular device.
4. Measure the pressure from the dial.

➢ Calibration
1. The reading from the mercury manometer is to be used as a reference for comparison and
calibration of other pressure measuring devices such as pressure transducer and bourdon gauge.

2. Calculate the error in form of percentage

5
8.6 Discussion
The experiment was performed to study the working principle of mercury manometer, bourdon
gauge and pressure transducer. Bourdon gauge and pressure transducer were calibrated relative to
mercury manometer. Mercury manometer consists of a tube in which mercury is filled. The height
of mercury is calibrated to the pressure and is used to measure the pressure relative to the
atmospheric pressure. Bourdon tube pressure gage consists of a circular tube at the end of which a
gear mechanism is attached which is connected to a pointer. When the pressure is applied at the
other end of circular tube, the tube tends to straighten and causes the gear to rotate and give the
pressure in term of pointer deflection.
In this experiment, compressor was used to pump the gas to these gages. 5 readings were taken and
listed in tables corresponding to each gauge. The readings of bourdon gauge an pressure transducer
were compared to the readings of mercury manometer and the graphs were also plotted. The almost
linear trends in the graphs indicate that the instruments were almost calibrated. The errors in the
experiments were due to bad calibration of instruments or maybe due to the incorrect
measurements.

8.7 Conclusion
The experiment concluded the study of working principle for Pressure Calibration. The values of
pressure measured by bourdon gauge and pressure transducer were compared with the values of
pressure measured by mercury manometer and the errors were calculated. More accurate readings can
be observed by removing the errors.