Objective

The two objectives of this laboratory are to measure a steady volumetric

flow rate using a stop watch and weighing tank and to measure pressure
differences at a particular point in a fluid using Bourdon pressure gages and a
differential manometer.
Procedure
First, the tap is turned on with the tank drain open. After the constant
flow of water established, the stopwatch is set to zero and the data on the
meters of Bourdon pressure gauge and differential manometer are recorded.
The cursor should be moved so that scale is slightly overbalanced; causing
the scale arm hit the bottom stop. After closing the drain, the scale will be
balanced and the stopwatch should be started when the beam rises pass the
balance mark. A weight W is placed on the balance pan by making the beam
touches the bottom. The stopwatch is stopped when the scale rebalances. In
the end, the time interval is recorded, and the entire process is repeated with
different values of flow rates.
Theory

T
If in a given time
conduit issues a quantity of fluid having a weight
W, a mass density , and specific weight into the container and if the flow
M&
is steady, then the mass flow rate
is:
M

W
gt

The corresponding volumetric flow rate is:

Q

M
W
W

g t t

For the Bourdon gages:

The pressure at point A and B are given by the following equates:

P A =P 1+ w ( a 1a A )

PB =P2+ w ( b 1b B )

Where w is the specific weight of water, P1 and P2 is are pressures

read by the Bourdon gages and a1, aA, b1 and bB are height differences that
are given.

For the differential manometers:

The pressures are found at a height * using height measurements from

the previous part and additional measurements R and L as follows:
p =P A + w ( Ra A )

p =P B + w ( b BL ) + Hg ( LR )

Eliminating p* and evaluating PA PB gives:

P A P B= w ( b B a A ) ( RL )

As we know L R (the height difference in the mercury columns), the

heights hR and hL are:
hR = R h 0
hL = L h 0
Then, L R = hL hR. We can now revise PA PB as:
P A P B= w ( b B a A )+ ( Hg w )( h LhR )

Sample Calculations
All calculations use data from Trial #3.
2

Flow rate:
Q [ lb/ ft 3 ] =

Q [ m3 / s ] =

100 lbs
=0.02873lb/ ft 3
3
55.78 s 62.4 lb / ft

0.0287 lbs
=0.00081 ft 3 /m3
3
3
35.51 ft /m

Bourdon Gages:
P A P B= [ 90+9.8 ( 0.810.613 ) ][ 52+9.8 ( 2.3762.183 ) ] =38.04 kPa
Manometer:
P A P B=9.8 ( 2,1830,613 ) + ( 132,9259,81 )

( 9.510.5 )
=40.0 kPa
100

Results
Weight-Time

Bourdon Gages

Run
No

lb

sec

10
0

46,67

0,0343

0,00097

10
0

51,57

0,0311

0,00088

10
0

4
5
6
7

10
0
10
0
10
0
0

Q
ft3/s

m3/sec

55,78

0,0287

0,00081

63,62

0,0252

0,00071

72,28

0,0222

0,00063

85,86

0,0187

0,00053

Manometer

P1

P2

PA
PB

hL

hR

PA PB

kP
a

kP
a

kPa

cm

cm

kPa

70

16

54,0
39

14,
5

15,
5

52,33
6

80

38

42,0
39

11

-12

43,71
8

52

38,0
39

9,5

10,
5

40,02
5

7,5

-8,5

-6,5

4,5

-5

90
10
2
11
0
12
0
14

67
80
94
12

35,0
39
30,0
39
26,0
39
15,0

35,10
0
30,79
1
27,09
8
15,40
3

39

Table 1: Measurements and Calculation

Times
(sec)

47,03
46,03
47,46
47,25
45,93
46,33
Avg.
46,67
Table 2: Time Interval

49,5
52,53
52,43
50,96
51,31
52,71
51,57

55,58
54,93
54,68
57
53,53
58,93
55,78

64,41
64,28
62,46
63,09
63,75
63,71
63,62

72,95
72,87
71,12
72,43
72,4
71,93
72,28

85,67
86,19
85,71
86,5
86,06
85,05
85,86

Comparison of Pressure Measurements

60
50
40
Bourdon Gages [kPa]

f(x) = 1.03x - 1.54

R = 0.99

30
20
10
0
10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55
Manometer [kPa]

Graph 1: Differential Manometer Pressure vs. Bourdon Pressure


60
50

+ 52.4
Manometerf(x) = - 0.49x^2 - 2.2x Polynomial
(Manometer)
R = 0.96

40

30
20
Bourdon Gage
10

0
0

=
1 f(x)
2
R = 0

Polynomial (Bourdon Gage)

Q [m3/s]

Graph 2: Comparisons between Manometer and Bourdon Gage in relation to

pressure and volumetric flow.
Discussion

Which differential pressure measurement method appears to be more

reliable?
Analyzing the Graph 2, the differential manometer appears to be more
reliable in this experiment (R2 of 0.9977). One reason that could be
explained is a lack of accurate data reading in Bourdon Gage because
of the fluctuation in the pressure line.

Is there a range of pressure differences over which one method is

more reliable?
When the pressure difference is very small, the differential manometer
is more reliable than Bourdon gage because of the precision. However,
Bourdon gage is more accurate when the pressure difference is large.
The variation of the reading is relatively small compare to the pressure
difference.

Can you suggest any explanation for the differences between the two
methods?
Differential manometer measures the pressure balance of a column of
known density liquid. Bourdon measures pressure with balancing the
force produced on an area known.

Conclusions:
Although the data obtained from differential manometer and Bourdon
type are actually pretty close, the manometer method appears to be more
reliable, due to its better accuracy shown on the figure 1 and 2.

Selected Questions
1. Using one of your weight-time data sets, estimate the precision of your
measurements. Proceed as follows:
a. Calculate the flow rate by using the shortest time measurement.
Denote this value by QS.
100lbs
Q s=
=0.0225 lb/ft 3
3
71.12 s 62.4 lb/ft
b. Calculate the flow rate by using the longest time measurement.
Denote this value by Ql.
100 lbs
Ql=
=0.0220 lb /ft 3
3
72.95 s 62.4 lb/ft
c. Estimate the precision e of your measurements by finding the
quotient of the maximum difference divided by the average
value:
Q Ql
e= S
1
( Q +Q )
2 S l
Express your answer in percent to no more than 2 significant
figures.
0.02250.0220
e=
=2.5
1
( 0.02250.0220 )
2
d. Indicate whether the precision found in ( c ) is typical of
engineering calculation.
6

Precision of 2.5% is typical of engineering calculations.