3)

3.1)

PRESSURE MEASUREMENT
Definition of pressure

From physics we know that pressure is defined as force per unit area.
The other unit used to describe pressure is Pascal
F
pressure
N.m 2
A

Quite often when measuring pressure it is also necessary to take note of the density of other
fluids. In which we are introduced to terms such as R.D. or S.G.(relative density, Specific
density)
3.2) Terms relating to the measurement of pressure
Absolute zero
(relates to the presence of molecules)
Atmospheric pressure
(pressure as a result of air presence)
Gauge pressure
(reference point of measurement would be atmospheric.
Vacuum
Vacuum is the term used for a pressure reading below atmospheric pressure. A vacuum gauge
pressure reading will be one below atmospheric pressure. The absolute zero pressure reading is
also called absolute vacuum. Note that the lowest pressure reading possible is 1 bar. A
pressure reading of 300 kPa does not make sense.
Differential pressure
(The term simply applies to the difference in pressure between two sub systems)
Static pressure
(Static pressure generally refers to the force exerted by a motionless liquid on the walls of the
container containing it.
Dynamic pressure
(Dynamic pressure generally refers to the forces developed against a hard surface as a result of
the motion of fluid. e.g. the inner surface of a pipe transporting fluid.
p2 = kv
Basic laws and relationships used for the determination of pressure
Boyles law
For a gas at a constant temperature Boyles law states the following;
If the temperature is held a constant, the pressure exerted by a gas on the container it is in
varies inversely with the volume, provided the mass of air stays the same
In mathematical terms
P1V1 = P2V2

Charless Law
Charless Law is in effect providing that the mass and pressure remain constant
The volume of a gas will vary directly with the absolute temperature if it is supposed that the
pressure and the mass stay constant
In mathematical terms
V= (V0T)/273

or

V1/T1 = V2/T2

Ideal Gas Law

This law you have used often in calculations and takes on the following form

PV nRT
101325 . 0,0224 = 1 . 8,314 . 273
The law can also be expressed as follows;

P1V1
PV
2 2
T1
T2
In the definition of an ideal gas, we assume that the molecules of that gas have no volume. We
also ignore interaction between the molecules of the gas. If we are confronted by gasses with
large molecules, we compensate for non-idealities with a compressibility factor(z). The
compressibility factor (z) is normally between 0 and 1.
PV znRT
3.3) PRESSURE MEASUREMENT DEVICES
Manometers are the simplest pressure measurement devices. A manometer uses the fact that a
change in pressure can easily be converted to a change in height of a column of liquid.
There are variety of fluids that are used in manometers. Some of the more popular are colored
water and mercury. The density of the fluid plays an important role. The denser the fluid the less
the alteration in height for a fixed change in pressure.
Some manometer fluids in common use.
Mercury
Water(colored)
Transformer oil
Aniline
Carbon Tetrachloride
Tetrabromoethane
Bromoform
Various types of Manometers
U-tube manometer
Well manometer
Inclined manometer

Barometer
Mcleod gauge
Mircomanometer
Diaphragm
This instrument is best suitable for low pressure applications. It can sense small changes in
pressure. The process pressure acts on a diaphragm. A strain gauge indicates any change in
strain experienced in the diaphragm by measuring the elongation.
The Bourbon Tube
In various forms, this is one of the most widely used pressure indicators in industry. This
instrument consists of a tube that is curved to form a 250deg angle. The one end of this tube is
sealed and it is attached to a mechanism that operates a pointer. The other end of the tube is
fixed and it is open to the process of which the pressure is to be measured. A change in
pressure in the tube causes the shape of the curve of the tube to alter and hence the needle is
moved indicating a new pressure situation.
Bellows pressure gauge
This type of pressure measuring device consists of a number of circular(cylindrical parts) joined
together. As pressure introduced to the inside of the bellows increases the entire unite expands.
Some times in industry it becomes necessary to measure pressures below atmospheric. i.e.
vacuum. The following equipment is designed for just such a task.
Thermocouple gauge.
At low pressures, there is a linear relationship between the thermal conductivity of a gas and its
pressure. The thermal conductivity is a parameter that quantifies the ability of a gas to transfer
heat. This relationship does not hold for high pressures. In the thermocouple gauge an element
is heated. Air is allowed to pass the element removing heat. As the pressure alters the quantity
of heat that can be removed per time alters and in this way the temperature of the element is an
indicator of the pressure.