EXPERIMENTAL AND MEASUREMNT METHODS

PRESSURE GUAGE CALIBERATION

BY
TEMITAYO UGOCHUKWU SOLANKE
@00695533

Lecturer: Dr. Abubakar Abbas

School of Computing, Science and Engineering,
Petroleum and Gas Engineering, MSc.
 TABLE OF CONTENT
Abstract...……………………………………………………………….………………………………………………….. 4
Preface……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 4
Introduction..................................................................................................................... 5
Theory.....................................................................................……………………………………… 6
Apparatus………………........................................................................................................ 7
Procedure........................................................................................................................ 9
Results……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 10
Calculation....................................................................................................................... 11
Discussion………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 15
Conclusion....................................................................................................................... 16
Refferences………………..................................................................................................... 17

List of Figures
Molecules of gas under pressure......................................................................................5
Schematic diagram of a dead weight tester......................................................................7
A dead weight tester.........................................................................................................8
Various load.....................................................................................................................8
Graph of gauge pressure against actual pressure (increase) ............................................11
Graph of gauge pressure against actual pressure (decrease) ...........................................11
Graph of gauge error against actual error........................................................................14

List of Tables
Table 1.............................................................................................................................10
Table 2.............................................................................................................................12
Table 3.............................................................................................................................13

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 ABSTRACT

Calibration is a method that creates a link between two values of the same apparatus, one of
which is received out from measuring instrument while the other which matches to the
standardized data. As a result, it is possible to determine the range of correction needed for the
results acquired via experimentation. Additionally, metrological qualities may be understood in
terms of how the different quantities it is connected to affect them.

Calibration reports or certificates serve as documentation for the calibrated observations. After
calibrating the equipment, the necessary modifications are made to have the indicated readings
matching the measured amount values.

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 PREFACE

AIM

To use a 240 air-operated dead weight tester for pressure gauge calibration.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this experiment involves:

1. Finding the gauge reading for varying load

2. Determining the varying error between the actual reading and pressure gauge reading
3. Understanding the relationship between load application and pressure reading
4. Calibrating a pressure gauge accurately

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1. INTRODUCTION

Pressure is defined as force per area. The force a fluid applies to an object is directed at the
object and perpendicular to its surface. At the microscopic level, the force is related to the fluid's
atoms and molecules that are elastically bouncing off the surfaces of the item. Pascal is the SI
unit for pressure.

The precision and integrity of measurements taken with a piece of equipment are defined by
calibration. Results and accuracy have a propensity to 'drift' over time, especially when
employing technologies or monitoring characteristics like temperature and humidity. Throughout
the equipment's lifespan, the calibration of the apparatus must be maintained in order to ensure
repeatable, accurate, and trustworthy measurements. By verifying the accuracy of test
equipment, calibration seeks to decrease any measurement uncertainty. In measuring procedures,
calibration quantifies and reduces mistakes or uncertainties to a manageable level.

A deadweight tester is known as calibration benchmark used to calibrate pressure measurement

devices using the idea of a pressure balance. Deadweight testers are an easy and affordable way
to evaluate a variety of pressure calibrations by applying predetermined pressure to a device
under test using calibrated weights.

A major benefit of employing a deadweight tester is the fact that the instrument may house all of
the technology necessary to produce pressure, regulate it accurately, and measure it.

Figure 1: Molecules of gas under pressure

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2. THEORY

It operates under the principle of Pascal's Law, which states that the force exerted by liquid in
any system under equilibrium (or static) conditions is the same in all directions. There are several
types of gauges available for measuring pressure. Any form of pressure gauge has to be
calibrated. Repeat calibrations may occasionally be required since the calibration may alter over
time. The gauge is typically calibrated by loading it with known pressures while applying a dead
weight. By adding weights of known size to a piston with known cross-sectional area, the gauge
will be calibrated by producing a pressure that is known to be the calibration pressure. The
experiment will investigate gauge mistake and scale marking that causes quick blowback.

Given a mass of M (lb) supplied to the piston, the system's actual hydrostatic pressure (p) is
given by:

M (lb)
P1=
A (¿2 )

Where,

M= Mass

A= Area of piston

Actual Pressure ( P 1 )−Guage Reading( P 2)

% Gauge error=
Actual Pressure

π d2
Piston area, A = (d= diameter of piston)
4

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3. APPARATUS

The instrument used in this experiment is the 240 air-operated dead weight tester for pressure
gauge calibration. Having a polychromatic base and leveling screws for mounting to the bench.
The piston’s size is 1/3 in3 as well as the cylinder unit. It also houses two control valves. A one-
third inch B.S.P gauge connection and a 2 ¼ inches diameter flush is mounted on the settling
gauge, which is graduated between 0-120 lb/in3 as well as 0-8 kg/cm3. There are several weights
being applied on the piston.

The first is the piston in the cylinder, which is determined from weight and area. To a first
approximation, the effective area of the piston units is equivalent to the average of the areas of
the piston and the cylinder. Since there is just a little space between the piston and the cylinder,
when the piston spins within it, the pressure in the cylinder creates a bearing, which eliminates
friction and metallic contact. Any harsh forces are circumferential, so they do not act vertically
and do not have an impact on the balance's accuracy. If the space between both the piston and the
cylinder wall is too tiny, the piston won't be able to freely revolve at low pressure for a sufficient
amount of time to achieve real balance. The piston will drop into the cylinder if the distance
between the two is too big and causes a leak.

The maximum weight that can be capacitated by this instrument is 100lb/in3 or 7kg/cm3

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Figure 2: Schematic diagram of a dead weight tester

Figure 3: A dead weight tester

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 Figure 4: Various load

4. PROCEDURE
1. Weights equating to the necessary pressure were put onto the deadweight piston. The
piston carrier assembly and each designated equivalent pressure item were both marked.
2. The release value on the left hand side was closed.
3. When the right valve opened, the pressure increase was observed.
4. Weights was spun as the pressure approaches the target value.
5. The valve was closed as soon as the piston moved between the two stops.
6. The necessary weight was removed for the test on dropping pressure, and air was let out
until the piston was floating.
7. Both of the valves were closed while the piston was floating.
8. For more over 30 seconds, the leakage rate through the piston clearance remained
constant.
9. The same process was done with different weights.

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5. RESULT

LOAD ACTUAL PRESSURE INCREASE PRESSURE DECREASE

PRESSURE
(bar)
(Psi)

GUAGE ABSOLUT GUAGE ABSOLUTE

E
PRESSURE PRESSURE ERROR
ERROR
(psi) (psi) (psi)
(psi)
|AP – GP|
|AP – GP|

- 0 - - - -

0.69 10 12 2 7 3

1.38 20 22 2 14 6

2.07 30 27 3 21 9

2.76 40 37 3 31 9

3.45 50 43 7 39 11

4.14 60 54 6 51 9

4.83 70 65 5 61 9

5.52 80 74 6 71 9

6.21 90 84 6 81 9

6.90 100 94 6 91 9

Table 1

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6. CALCULATION

GRAPH OF GAUGE PRESSURE AGAINST ACTUAL PRESSURE

(INCREASE)
120
ACTUAL PRESSURE (psi)

100

80

60

40

20

0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
GUAGE PRESSURE (psi)

GUAGE PRESSURE ACTUAL PRESSURE

Figure 5: Graph of gauge pressure against actual pressure (increase)

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 GRAPH OF GUAGE PRESSURE AGAINST ACTUAL PRESSURE
(DECREASE)
120

100
ACTUAL PRESSURE (psi)

80

60

40

20

0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

GUAGE PRESSURE (psi)

GUAGE PRESSURE ACTUAL PRESSURE

Figure 6: Graph of gauge pressure against actual pressure (decrease)

Calculating % error,

Using,

Actual Pressure ( P 1 )−Guage Reading( P 2) Error

% Gauge error= x 100 = x 100
Actual Pressure Actual Pressure

ACTUAL Error
% GUAGE ERROR = x 100
Actual Pressure
PRESSURE
PRESSURE PRESSURE
(psi)
INCREASE DECREASE

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 - - -

10 20 30

20 10 30

30 10 30

40 7.5 22.5

50 14 22

60 10 15

70 7.1 12.9

80 7.5 11.3

90 6.7 10

100 6 9

Table 2

% GUAGE ERROR AVERAGE GUAGE ERROR

PRESSURE PRESSURE Pressure Increase+ Pressure Decrease

2
INCREASE DECREASE

- - -

20 30 25

10 30 20

10 30 20

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7.5 22.5 15

14 22 18

10 15 12.5

7.1 12.9 10

7.5 11.3 9.4

6.7 10 8.35

6 9 7.5

TOTAL AVERAGE % GUAGE ERROR = 14.757 %

Table 3

GRAPH OF GAUGE ERROR AGAINST ACTUAL ERROR

35

30

25
% GUAGE ERROR

20

15

10

0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120

ACTUAL PRESSURE

% GUAGE ERROR INCREASE % GUAGE ERROR DECREASE

Figure 7: Graph of gauge error against actual error

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7.0 DISCUSSION

The pressure gauge readings were found to vary with inconsistent increase and decrease pressure
gauge reading. As seen from figure 5 and 6, there’s was a uniform increment in the linear rise of
the actual pressure as compared to that which is needed to be calibrated, but one certain thing
that is confirmed is there’s a consistent rise in the value of both pressure gauge reading as the
load being applied on it increases.

However, from the percentage error graph, it could be noted some degree of stagnancy from
decreasing pressure reading. It’s most important to note that as the pressure increase there’s a
significant drop in the percentage error for both increasing and decreasing pressure readings.

There are few occurrences that could have caused this inaccuracies, some of which are:

 Possibilities of any air supply leakage via the valves leaking.

 Due to parallax inaccuracy, the reading was recorded inaccurately.
 Applying external force or weight while the weight is spinning.
 Improper calibration may lead to differences in the data recorded.
 Pressure losses in the piston's hydraulic system.

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8.0 CONCLUSION

The equipment's calibration experiment was successfully completed, and based on the findings, a
disparity between the measurements of the calibrated quantities and the theoretical values was
found. The results collected under various loads' applied pressures showed similarities. The little
variation, nevertheless, would be the result of human mistake. Because of the limited amount of
air making it challenging to raise the weights, relative error tend to grow more for larger values
of the applied load. The equipment is affected by use and wear, which might be a contributing
factor in the readings' divergence.

Percentage error appeared to be higher for readings in decrement than in increment. The
calibration results reveal significant fluctuations, indicating that perhaps the equipment has to be
rectified before any further usage since the average pressure measurement does not fall within a
safe level.

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REFRENCES

1. DH- Budenberg, (2009), An-Introduction-to-Dead-Weight-Testers

http://www.scribd.com/doc/18933664

2. E. Connor, (1969) Gas Quality Measuring Devices on Gas Measurement University of

Salford,

3. Gas and Petroleum Laboratory Experiments (2022). Gas and Petroleum Laboratory

Experiments. Salford Greater Manchester, United Kingdom

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