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What Is A Manometer?: Instrumentation and Control Engineering
What Is A Manometer?: Instrumentation and Control Engineering
What is a Manometer?
A manometer may be any device that measures pressure. However, unless
otherwise qualified, the term manometer most often refers specifically to a U-
shaped tube filled with fluid. This type of manometer can be easily built as part of a
laboratory experiment to demonstrate the effect of pressure on a liquid column.
Construction
A simple manometer can be built by partially filling a clear plastic tube with a
colored liquid to allow the fluid level to be easily observed. The tube is then bent into
a U-shape and fixed in an upright position. The levels of the fluid in the two vertical
columns should be equal at this point, as they are currently exposed to the same
pressure. This level is therefore marked and identified as the zero point of the
manometer.
Measurement
The manometer is placed against a measured scale to allow any difference in
the height of the two columns. This height differential can be used directly to make
relative comparisons between different test pressures. This type of manometer can
also be used to calculate the absolute pressure when the density of the liquid in the
manometer is known.
Use
One end of the tube is connected with a gas-tight seal to a test pressure
source. The other end of the tube is left open to the atmosphere and will therefore be
subjected to a pressure of approximately 1 atmosphere (atm). If the test pressure is
greater than the reference pressure of 1 atm, the liquid in the test column is forced
down the column. This causes the fluid in the reference column to rise by an equal
amount.
Calculations
The pressure exerted by a column of fluid can be given by the equation P =
hgd. In this equation, P is the calculated pressure, h is the height of the fluid, g is the
force of gravity and d is the density of the liquid. Because the manometer is
measuring a pressure differential rather than an absolute pressure, we use the
substitution P = Pa Po. In this substitution, Pa is the test pressure and P0 is the
reference pressure.
Working Principle
A device used to measure the pressure at any point in a fluid, manometers
are also used to measure the pressure of gas and air.
Types
Manometers come in a variety of forms, the most common being the U-tube,
well (sometimes called a cistern) and inclined:
The U-tube manometer, shown in Figure above (a), is the most common
form of manometer. Applied pressure causes a displacement of liquid inside
the U-shaped glass tube, and the output pressure reading P is made by
observing the difference h between the level of liquid in the two halves of the
tube A and B, according to the equation P=hg, where is the specific gravity
of the fluid. If an unknown pressure is applied to side A, and side B is open to
the atmosphere, the output reading is gauge pressure. Alternatively, if side B
of the tube is sealed and evacuated, the output reading is absolute pressure.
The U-tube manometer also measures the differential pressure (p1 p2),
according to the expression (p1 p2) = hg, if two unknown pressures p1 and
p2 are applied respectively to sides A and B of the tube. Output readings from
U-tube manometers are subject to error, principally because it is very difficult
to judge exactly where the meniscus levels of the liquid are in the two halves
of the tube.In absolute pressure measurement, an addition error occurs
because it is impossible to totally evacuate the closed end of the tube. U-tube
manometers are typically used to measure gauge and differential pressures
up to about 2 bar. The type of liquid used in the instrument depends on the
pressure and characteristics of the fluid being measured. Water is a cheap
and convenient choice, but it evaporates easily and is difficult to see.
Nevertheless, it is used extensively, with the major obstacles to its use being
overcome by using coloured water and by regularly topping up the tube to
counteract evaporation. However, water is definitely not used when measuring
the pressure of fluids that react with or dissolve in water. Water is also
unsuitable when high-pressure measurements are required. In such
circumstances, liquids such as aniline, carbon tetrachloride, bromoform,
mercury or transformer oil are used instead.
Manometer Basics
With each leg of a U-tube manometer exposed to the atmosphere, the height
of liquid in the columns is equal. Using this point as a reference and connecting each
leg to an unknown pressure, the difference in column heights indicates the difference
in pressures.
With both legs of a U-tube manometer open to the atmosphere or With a greater pressure applied to the left side of a U-tube
subjected to the same pressure, the liquid maintains the same level manometer, the liquid lowers in the left leg and rises in the right leg.
in each leg, establishing a zero reference. The liquid moves until the unit weight of the liquid, as indicated by h,
exactly balances the pressure.
Pressure Relationships
A graphical representation of positive and negative gauge pressure shows the differential aspect of all pressure
measurements, where gauge pressure is the difference between absolute pressure and atmospheric pressure.
Low pressure and low differentials are better handled with an inclined-tube
manometer, where 1 in. of vertical liquid height can be stretched to 12 in. of
scale length.
Indicating Fluids
Liquid manometers measure differential pressure by balancing the weight of a
liquid between two pressures. Light liquids such as water can measure small
pressure differences; mercury or other heavy liquids are used for large pressure
differences. For an indicating fluid 3 times heavier than water, the pressure
measurement range is 3 times greater, but the resolution is reduced.
Indicating fluids can be colored water, oil, benzenes, bromides, and pure
mercury. When selecting an indicating fluid, check the specifications for specific
gravity, operating temperature range, vapor pressure, and flash point. Corrosive
properties, solubility, and toxicity are also considerations.
Quick Fact
Manometer Applications
Used in the maintenance of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC)
systems, low pressure pneumatic or gas systems.
Construction of bridges, installing swimming pools and other engineering
applications.
Climate forecasting.
Clinical applications like measuring blood pressure and in physiotherapy.
Piezometers are used to measure the pressure in pipes where the liquid is in
motion.
References:
Robinson, Allan. 2017, April 24. What is a Manometer. Retrieved from
http://sciencing.com/manometer-2718.html
The Working Principle, Types, And Applications of a Manometer. Retrieved
from http://www.buzzle.com/articles/manometer-working-principle-types-and-
applications.html
Manometer Working Principle. Retrieved from
http://www.allinstrumentation.com/measurements/pressure-
measurement/manometer-working-principle/
Thomas, Dave. 2001, October 1. Manometer Basics. Retrieved from
http://www.sensorsmag.com/components/manometer-basics