Pressure Gauge and Its Industrial

application

2nd January 2015

Pressure
Pressure is the amount of force applied to a
surface or distributed over it.
Measured as force per unit area.

Formula

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Types of Pressure
Gauge Pressure
Absolute Pressure
Vacuum Pressure
Atmospheric Pressure
Differential Pressure

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Pressure Units & Its Conversion

Pressure is measured in either British or Metric Units.
British units pounds per square inch
Metric newtons per square metre

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Necessary of Pressure Measurement

To monitor and control the process
The pressure of steam in a boiler is measured for ensuring safe operating condition of the boiler
Pressure measurement is done in continuous processing industries such as manufacturing and
chemical industries
Pressure measurement helps in determining the liquid level in tanks and containers
Pressure measurement helps in determining the density of liquids
In many flow meter (such as venturi meter, orifice meter, flow nozzle, etc.,) pressure
measurement serves as an indication of flow rate
Apart from this, pressure measurement is also required in day-to-day situations such as
maintaining optimal pressure in tubes of vehicle tyres

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Types of Pressure Instruments

Pressure Gauge
Pressure Transmitter

Measurement of Pressure
Mechanical
- U-tube Manometer
- Bourdon Tube
- Diaphragm and Bellows
Electrical
- Strain Gauge
- Capacitive Sensor
- Potentiometric
- Resonant wire and Piezoelectric
- Magnetic and Optical

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Sensing Elements
Bourdon
Diaphragm
Bellows
Capsule

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Bourdon Tube
It uses flexible element as sensor. As the pressure changes, the flexible element moves
and this motion is used to rotate the pointer in front of dial.

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Bourdon Tube shapes

C-type Bourdon
Spiral
Helical

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Advantages
Cost is low
Simple in construction
Accurate result and it is high for high pressure
Safe for high pressure measurement
Adaptable to transducer designs for electronic
instruments
Available at wide variety of ranges

Disadvantages
Sensitive to shocks and vibrations
Subjected to hysteresis
Cannot be used for precision measurement
Low spring gradient

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Diaphragm
Widely used for pressure and draft measurement
Can be in form of flat, corrugated or dished plates
Choice depends on strength and amount of deflection desired

Diaphragm Types
Metallic Diaphragm Gauge
Slack Diaphragm Gauge

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Metallic Diaphragm

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It consist of a thin flexible diaphragm made of materials such as brass or bronze.

A pointer is attached to the diaphragm .
The force of pressure against the effective area of the diaphragm causes a deflection of the
diaphragm.

Slack Diaphragm
Diaphragm with large area produce large
change in force cause small change in pressure
Slack diaphragm can be made of rubber or
other flexible materials
Range 0.01 0.40 torr
Accuracies 1 to 2%

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Advantages
Cost is moderate
Smaller in size
Adaptable to slurry services
Available in several materials for good corrosion resistance
Adaptable to absolute and differential pressure
measurement
Good linearity

Disadvantages
Sensitive to shocks and vibrations
Difficult to repair
Limited to relatively low pressure

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Bellows

Used for the measurement of absolute

pressures (normal as well as low pressure ).
The bellows are made of an alloy which is
ductile, has high strength and retains its
property over long use.
There are used in two forms.
In one arrangement, pressure is applied to
one side of the bellows & the resulting
deflection is counter-balanced by a spring.
This arrangement indicates the gauge
pressure.
In another differential arrangement, the
differential pressure is also indicated.

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Advantages
Cost is moderate
Good in low to moderate pressure range
Adaptable to absolute and differential pressure
measurement

Disadvantages
Unsuitable for high pressure
Unsuitable for the zero and the stiffness
Availability of metals and work-hardening of them is limited

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Accessories
Snubbers
Siphons
Gauge saver
Manifold

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Snubbers
Used where sudden pressure shocks or rapidly fluctuating pressure are expected.
Such Cases installed between gauge and the process.

Porous

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Piston

Adjustable

Siphons
Prevents live steam from entering the sensing element
Installed between gauge and the process
Coil siphon for horizontal installation
Pigtail siphon for vertical installation

Coil Siphon
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Pigtail Siphon

Gauge saver
Overpressure protector are intended to protect the pressure gauge against the effect
of pressure that exceed the maximum pressure rating of the pressure gauge.
Gauge Saver shuts off the system with quick and positive action of built in push-rod
device

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Manifold
To isolate the DP transmitter from the process for maintenance and calibration
To ensure that DP transmitter is not over-ranged

Manifold Types
2-valve manifold
3-valve manifold
5-valve manifold

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2-Valve Manifold

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3-Valve Manifold

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5-Valve Manifold

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Hook-Up
Hook-up drawing is a detailed drawing showing typical installation of instrument in a correct
manner so that instrument operates properly (gives accurate indication and prevent any issued
which could potentially affect the measurement such as liquid trap in gas impulse line)
Hook-up drawing indicates tubing slopes, position of instrument in reference to process tapping
point, scope break between instrument vs. piping.
Hook-up drawing also gives information the requirement of bulk material for each installation. It
also details its specification (size, type and material) and the quantity.
There are two types of hook-up drawing:
Process Hook-Up
This hook-up drawing contains typical installations for instrument which connects to the process.
Pneumatic Hook-Up
This hook-up drawing contains typical installations for instrument which requires instrument air such
as control valve, actuated valve.

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Selection Criteria
Gauge Process
Gauge Size
Connection Type and Location
Accuracy
Gauge Mounting
Range
Environment
Accessories
Is the medium corrosive?
Does the medium contain solids?
Is a diaphragm seal required?
What material of tube & socket is appropriate? Brass, 316 Stainless steel, Monel, etc.?
Will there be heavy pulsation or vibration in the application?
Are there any temperature extremes to take into account?

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Standards
IEC-60529 - Degree of Protection provided by enclosures
DIN-50049 - Documents on material testing
ASME B40.1 - Document on pressure range and Accuracy
ASME PTC 19.2 - Pressure measurements

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Thank You