ELEC 103

Week 3 - Pressure
Pressure is defined as
Force per unit area
Units:
Pounds per square inch Newtons per square metre
lbs/in
2
N/m
2
1 N/m
2
= 1 Pascal
1 N/m
2
= 1 Pa
Unit is very small
kiloPascal
kPa
1 psi = 6.895 kPa
5 psi = kPa
20 psi = kPa
100 psi = kPa
psi = 50 kPa
psi = 420 kPa
psi = 1000 kPa
1 psi = 6.895 kPa
5 psi = 34.475 kPa
20 psi = 137.9 kPa
100 psi = 689.5 kPa
7.25 psi = 50 kPa
60.91 psi = 420 kPa
145 psi = 1000 kPa
Static Pressure
Where no movement of the process
liquid or gas is occurring
Dynamic Pressure
The pressure exerted on its
surroundings when the process
liquid or gas is in motion
Pressure of water in a hose with the tap closed (no
motion) is greater than the pressure exerted when
the tap is open (motion)
Tap closed
Tap open
Static
Dynamic
Atmospheric Pressure P
atm
The pressure acting upon each square metre of the
earths surface and is equal to the weight of a column
of the atmosphere one square metre in cross section,
extending vertically upwards to its limit, an unknown
height.
1 Atmosphere is equal to
14.7 psi kPa 101.325 1 bar
Atmospheric pressure is referenced to sea level
at 0
o
C
Gauge Pressure P
gauge
The amount of measured pressure that is
greater than atmospheric pressure
In the industrial field all pressure
measurements are made in psi
gauge
or kPa
gauge
unless specifically noted otherwise
The units are most commonly shown as:
psig kPag
Absolute Pressure P
abs
The amount of pressure measured above a
perfect vacuum
The designation for absolute is always
shown in the units
psia
psi absolute
kPaa
kPa absolute
Atmospheric pressure is always expressed in
terms of absolute pressure but with no absolute
abbreviation
14.7 psi 101.325 kPa
Vacuum
Vacuum is a negative gauge pressure
The amount of measured pressure that is less than
atmospheric pressure
Units of measurement:
Inches of mercury in Hg
A perfect vacuum is 29.92 in Hg
Absolute
zero
Absolute
pressure
0
atmospheric 14.7
gauge
0
Negative
gauge
vacuum
0 in Hg
29.92 in Hg
P
absolute
= P
atmos
+ P
gauge
14.7 psi is equal to 29.9 in Hg
1 psi = in Hg = kPa
1 in Hg = psi = kPa
1 kPa = psi = in Hg
Examples:
P
gauge
= 250 psig, P
atmos
= 14.7 psi
P
abs
= psia = kPaa
P
abs
= 123 psia, P
atmos
= 14.6 psi
P
gauge
= psig = kPag
14.7 psi is equal to 29.9 in Hg
1 psi = 2 in Hg = 6.895 kPa
1 in Hg = .5 psi = 3.4475 kPa
1 kPa = 0.145 psi = .29 in Hg
Examples:
P
gauge
= 250 psig, P
atmos
= 14.7 psi
P
abs
= 264.7 psia = 1825.1 kPaa
P
abs
= 123 psia, P
atmos
= 14.6 psi
P
gauge
= 108.4 psig = 747.4 kPag
P
gauge
= 750 kPag, P
atmos
= 14.8 psi
P
abs
= psia = kPaa
P
vacuum
= 15 in Hg, P
atmos
= 14.7 psi
P
abs
= psia = kPaa
P
abs
= 9.6 psia, P
atmos
= 14.7 psi
P
gauge
= psig = kPag
P
atmos
= 14.7 psi, P
gauge
= -2.5 psig
P
abs
= psiaa = kPaa = in Hg
P
gauge
= 750 kPag, P
atmos
= 14.8 psi
P
abs
= 123.57 psia = 852.02 kPaa
P
vacuum
= 15 in Hg, P
atmos
= 14.7 psi
P
abs
= 7.35 psia = 50.68 kPaa
P
abs
= 9.6 psia, P
atmos
= 14.7 psi
P
gauge
= -5.1 psig = -35.17 kPag
P
atmos
= 14.7 psi, P
gauge
= -2.5 psig
P
abs
= 12.2 psiaa = 84.12 kPaa = 5 in Hg
See ch 12 from book pg 332
Fluid Pressure
When gas is is put into a
container, it completely fills
the container, and acts on
all surfaces.
When a liquid is poured
into a container it will fill
the container to a uniform
level.
With a liquid, the intensity of the pressure is
proportional to the depth on to the area on which
it acts
A fluid at the bottom of a container is always under
a greater pressure than that nearer the surface.
Why?
A fluid has weight
Since the weight of the fluid is proportional to its
density, then the pressure at any depth is also
proportional to its density
The weight of an entire
column of liquid acts on the
surface area of A at the
bottom of the column
Area A
weight
height
Liquid density
Area A
weight
height
Liquid density
Density = Weight
Volume
Volume = Area x height
Density = Weight
Area x height
Rearrange:
Weight = Density x Area x height
But Pressure = Force
Area
Substitute for Force (Weight)
Pressure = Density x Area x height
Area
Therefore
Pressure = Density x height
P = h
There are several other details that become
involved with the equation.
Density changes for different fluids
Densities can be referenced to one fluid
Water
The relationship is:
Specific Gravity
Specific Gravity = Density of the liquid
Density of water
unitless
Density
water
= 62.4 lbs/cu.ft
S.G.
water
=

water

water
= 62.4
62.4
= 1
Given the following S.Gs find the densities
Liquid S.G Density
Hydrochloric Acid 1.05
Ethyl Alcohol 0.80
Ethylene Glycol 1.125
Mercury 13.546
Varnish 0.9
*62.4
*62.4
*62.4
*62.4
*62.4
=65.52 lbs/ cu.ft
=49.92 lbs/ cu.ft
=70.2 lbs/ cu.ft
=845.27 lbs/ cu.ft
=56.16 lbs/ cu.ft
Units of Density lbs/cu. ft
Units of Pressure lbs/sq. in
Units have to be adjusted to suit the equation
Pressure = density x height
Units for density have to be in: lbs/cu.in
Units for height have to be in: inches
Changing cu. ft into cu. in
1 cu ft = cu. in 1728 12 x 12 x 12
Examples:
A tank holds water with a depth of 10 feet. What is
the pressure at the base of the tank in psi and kPa?
P = h = 62.4 lbs/cu. ft
= 62.4 lbs/cu. In
1728
= 0.03611 lbs/cu.in
h = 10 x 12 in
= 120 in
P = 0.03611 x 120 = psi 4.332
= kPa 29.877
A tank contains ethyl alcohol with an S.G. of 0.80,
to a depth of 8 feet. Find the pressure at the
bottom of the tank in psi and kPa.
P = psi P = kPa
A 2 foot high vessel contains mercury to a depth
of 2 feet. Find the pressure at the bottom of the
tank in psi and kPa.
P = psi P = kPa
A tank contains ethyl alcohol with an S.G. of 0.80,
to a depth of 8 feet. Find the pressure at the
bottom of the tank in psi and kPa.
P = 2.77 psi P = 19.12 kPa
A 2 foot high vessel contains mercury to a depth
of 2 feet. Find the pressure at the bottom of the
tank in psi and kPa.
P = 11.7 psi P = 80.94 kPa
A pressure gauge is to be mounted at the bottom
of a tank containing a liquid with an S.G. of 0.9.
If the tank is 20 feet diameter and 40 feet high,
what range of pressure gauge is required?
Range = psi
kPa
A pressure gauge is to be mounted at the bottom
of a tank containing a liquid with an S.G. of 0.9.
If the tank is 20 feet diameter and 40 feet high,
what range of pressure gauge is required?
Range = 0 to 15.6 psi
0 to 107.56 kPa
When measuring pressure that is produced by
the weight of a liquid above the point at which
it is being measured it is referred to as:
Head Pressure
Also if a liquid has to be pumped through a
vertical distance in a process it is referred to as:
Head Pressure
Pressure = Density x height
P = h
What is the maximum vertical distance that a pump
can pump water, if the maximum pressure is 30 psig
P = h 30 = 62.4 h
1728
h = 830.77 in = 69.23 feet
A vessel is located 20 feet above a pump. It is
required to pump varnish with an SG 0.9 into the
vessel. Find the head pressure.
P = h P = (62.4 x 0.9) x (20 x 12)
1728
P = 7.8 psig
A pressure transmitter is to be used to transmit a 4 to
20 mAdc signal to a panel mounted recorder. The
transmitter is used on a service which indicates the
level in a tank containing Ethylene Glycol at an SG of
1.125. If the tank diameter is 15 feet and the height is
30 feet. What is the calibrated range of the pressure
transmitter? What is the transmitter signal when the
pressure indicated is 10 psig?
Transmitter range =
Transmitter signal =
A pressure transmitter is to be used to transmit a 4 to
20 mAdc signal to a panel mounted recorder. The
transmitter is used on a service which indicates the
level in a tank containing Ethylene Glycol at an SG of
1.125. If the tank diameter is 15 feet and the height is
30 feet. What is the calibrated range of the pressure
transmitter? What is the transmitter signal when the
pressure indicated is 10 psig?
Transmitter range =0 to14.625psi
Transmitter signal =14.9 ma
20 ft
4 ft
20 ft
What is the reading
on the gauge in psi
and kPa for:
Tank full:
Tank empty:
psig
kPa
psig
kPa
water
20 ft
4
ft
20 ft
What is the reading on the gauge in
psi and kPa for:
Tank full:
Tank empty:
psig
kPa
psig
kPa
water
This pressure Gauge could potentially
feel the effects of all of the water in the
tank Or 20 feet
It will also have all of the weight of the
liquid in the pipe that connects it to the
tank pushing on it..another 20 feet.
This horizontal pipe will have
what effect on the gauge?
Good guess Farooqit will have no effect! h=0
20 ft
4
ft
20 ft
What is the reading on the gauge in
psi and kPa for:
water
20 feet
20 feet
40 feet total
Now we take the height
and dump it into our
equation P=h
20 ft
4
ft
20 ft
What is the reading on the gauge in
psi and kPa for:
water
Now we take the height
and dump it into our
equation P=h
P = h
P = .03611 * 480
P =0.03611 * h
Next we calculate the
density of water
62.4 /1728 = 0.03611
Then we calculate our
height by converting to
inches 40*12= 480
20 ft
4
ft
20 ft
What is the reading on the gauge in
psi and kPa for:
water
Now we take the height
and dump it into our
equation P=h
P = h
P = .03611 * 480
P =0.03611 * h
Next we calculate the
density of water
62.4 /1728 = 0.03611
Then we calculate our
height by converting to
inches 40*12= 480
20 ft
4
ft
20 ft
What is the reading on the gauge in
psi and kPa for:
water
P = .03611 * 480
P = 17.3328 psi
Now we convert from
PSI to KPa.
1 PSI = 6.895 KPa so..
17.3328 psi * 6.895 =
119.50 KPa
20 ft
4 ft
20 ft
What is the reading
on the gauge in psi
and kPa for:
Tank full:
Tank empty:
psig
kPa
psig
kPa
water
17.3328 psi
119.50 KPa
Since our tank is 20 feet
and our standing pipe is
20 feet, when the tank is
empty our pressure will
be half of that when it is
full.
20 ft
4 ft
20 ft
Tank full:
Tank empty:
psig
kPa
psig
kPa
water
17.3328 psi
119.50 KPa
Since our tank is 20 feet
and our standing pipe is
20 feet, when the tank is
empty our pressure will
be half of that when it is
full.
17.33 / 2 = 8.67 PSI
8.67
119.5 / 2 = 59.75 kPa
59.75
20 ft
4 ft
20 ft
Ethyl Alcohol
SG: 0.8
Ethylene Glycol
SG 1.125 in the
instrument leg
What is the reading
on the gauge in psi
and kPa with
Tank full:
psig
kPa
psig
kPa
Tank empty:
20 ft
4 ft
20 ft
Ethyl Alcohol
SG: 0.8
Ethylene Glycol
SG 1.125 in the
instrument leg
What is the reading
on the gauge in psi
and kPa with
Tank full:
psig
kPa
psig
kPa
Tank empty:
What is the reading on the gauge in
psi and kPa for:
20 feet
20 feet
40 feet total
20 ft
4 ft
20 ft
Ethyl Alcohol
SG: 0.8
Ethylene Glycol
SG 1.125 in the
instrument leg
Tank full:
psig
kPa
psig
kPa
Tank empty:
20 ft
4 ft
20 ft
Ethyl Alcohol
SG: 0.8
Ethylene Glycol
SG 1.125 in the
instrument leg
Tank full:
psig
kPa
psig
kPa
Tank empty:
20 ft
4 ft
20 ft
Ethyl Alcohol
SG: 0.8
Ethylene Glycol
SG 1.125 in the
instrument leg
psig
kPa
Tank empty:
Step 1: P=h
P=(1.125*.03611)*(20*12)
20 ft
4 ft
20 ft
Ethyl Alcohol
SG: 0.8
Ethylene Glycol
SG 1.125 in the
instrument leg
psig
kPa
Tank empty:
Step 1: P=h
P=(1.125*.03611)*(20*12)
P = (0.0406) * (240)
P = 9.7
9.7
20 ft
4 ft
20 ft
Ethyl Alcohol
SG: 0.8
Ethylene Glycol
SG 1.125 in the
instrument leg
psig
kPa
Tank empty:
19.4994
19.4994 * 6.895
Convert to KPa by
multiplying by 6.895
134.45 KPa
134.45
20 ft
4 ft
20 ft
Ethyl Alcohol
SG: 0.8
Ethylene Glycol
SG 1.125 in the
instrument leg
psig
kPa
Tank empty:
9.7
67.18
20 ft
4 ft
20 ft
Ethyl Alcohol
SG: 0.8
Tank full:
psig
kPa
psig
kPa
Tank empty:
19.4994
134.45
Step 1: P=h
P=(0.8*.03611)*(20*12)
P=(0.02888)*(480)
P= 13.866 Psi
13.866
20 ft
4 ft
20 ft
Ethyl Alcohol
SG: 0.8
Tank full:
psig
kPa
psig
kPa
Tank empty:
19.4994
134.45
13.866
Now we convert Psi to
KPa by multiplying by
6.895
6.895 * 13.866
95.6 KPa
95.6
Values and formulae to remember
1 psi = 6.895 kPa
Density of water = 62.4 lb/cu.ft
1 psi = 27.7 in water
SG = Density of liquid
Density of water
P = density x height
P
abs
= P
atm
+ P
gauge
1 cu ft = 1728 cu in
Hydraulic Principle (Pascals Principle)
Liquids dont compress
When you pressurize a liquid, the pressure
is distributed evenly and equally
throughout the liquid.
The pressure applied to a confined liquid
is transmitted without measurable loss
throughout the entire liquid to all inner
surfaces of a container.
Buoyancy (Archimedes Principle)
If an object is immersed in a liquid it will
displace a volume of the liquid equal to
difference between its weight before
submersion and its submersed weight.