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Manometer - Fluid Mechanics

The document discusses different types of pressure gauges used to measure fluid pressure, including piezometers, U-tube manometers, and differential manometers. A piezometer measures pressure based on the height of a liquid column, but has limitations for high pressures. A U-tube manometer uses two columns of different liquids to indirectly measure the unknown pressure. A differential manometer measures the difference in pressure between two points by comparing the heights of two liquid columns separated by a barrier.

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Vijaykumar Nagathan
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385 views5 pages

Manometer - Fluid Mechanics

The document discusses different types of pressure gauges used to measure fluid pressure, including piezometers, U-tube manometers, and differential manometers. A piezometer measures pressure based on the height of a liquid column, but has limitations for high pressures. A U-tube manometer uses two columns of different liquids to indirectly measure the unknown pressure. A differential manometer measures the difference in pressure between two points by comparing the heights of two liquid columns separated by a barrier.

Uploaded by

Vijaykumar Nagathan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Smartzworld.com Specworld.in Jntuworldupdates.

org
Fluid Mechanics

Piezometer
This is the simplest gauge. A small vertical tube is connected to the pipe and its top is
left open to the atmosphere, as shown.

The pressure at A is equal to the pressure due to the column of liquid of height h1 :

p A = ρ gh1

Similarly,

pB = ρ gh2

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Smartzworld Notes
Smartzworld.com Specworld.in Jntuworldupdates.org
Fluid Mechanics

The problem with this type of gauge is that for usual civil engineering applications
the pressure is large (e.g. 100 kN/m2) and so the height of the column is impractical
(e.g.10 m).

Also, obviously, such a gauge is useless for measuring gas pressures.

U-tube Manometer
To overcome the problems with the piezometer, the U-tube manometer seals the fluid
by using a measuring (manometric) liquid:

Choosing the line BC as the interface between the measuring liquid and the fluid, we
know:

Pressure at B, pB = Pressure at C, pC

For the left-hand side of the U-tube:

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Smartzworld Notes
Smartzworld.com Specworld.in Jntuworldupdates.org
Fluid Mechanics

pB = p A + ρ gh1

For the right hand side:

pC = ρ man gh2

Where we have ignored atmospheric pressure and are thus dealing with gauge
pressures. Thus:

pB = pC
p A + ρ gh1 = ρ man gh2

And so:

p A = ρ man gh2 − ρ gh1

Notice that we have used the fact that in any continuous fluid, the pressure is the
same at any horizontal level.

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Smartzworld Notes
Smartzworld.com Specworld.in Jntuworldupdates.org
Fluid Mechanics

Differential Manometer
To measure the pressure difference between two points we use a u-tube as shown:

Using the same approach as before:

Pressure at C, pC = Pressure at D, pD

p A + ρ ga = pB + ρ g ( b − h ) + ρ man gh

Hence the pressure difference is:

p A − pB = ρ g ( b − a ) + hg ( ρ man − ρ )

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Smartzworld Notes
Smartzworld.com Specworld.in Jntuworldupdates.org
Fluid Mechanics

Problems – Pressure Measurement

1. What is the pressure head, in metres of water, exerted by the atmosphere?


(Ans. 10.3 m)

2. What is the maximum gauge pressure of water that can be measured using a
piezometer 2.5 m high?
(Ans. 24.5 kN/m2)

3. A U-tube manometer is used to measure the pressure of a fluid of density 800


kg/m3. If the density of the manometric liquid is 13.6 × 103 kg/m3, what is the
gauge pressure in the pipe if
(a) h1 = 0.5 m and D is 0.9 m above BC;
(b) h1 = 0.1 m and D is 0.2 m below BC?
(Ans. 116.15 kN/m2, -27.45 kN/m2)

4. A differential manometer is used to measure the pressure difference between


two points in a pipe carrying water. The manometric liquid is mercury and the
points have a 0.3 m height difference. Calculate the pressure difference when
h = 0.7 m .
(Ans. 89.47 kN/m2)

5. For the configuration shown, calculate the weight of the piston if the gauge
pressure reading is 70 kPa.

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Smartzworld Notes

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