OBJECTIVES

 To understand the pressure measurement techniques and its accuracy.

 To investigate the calibration system on pressure measurement unit.
 To differentiate absolute pressure and gauge pressure.
 To study on working principle of manometer and transmitter.
 To become familiar in handling the pressure measuring instrument in plant.

SUMMARY

This experiment was conducted briefly with the purpose of understanding pressure
measurement and calibration system. It is important to analyze gas pressure properties and
differentiate between Gage pressure, where the reference is atmospheric pressure (psig or
kPag), Absolute pressure, where the reference is complete vacuum (psia or kPa) and
Differential pressure, which represents the difference between two pressure levels.
Calibration system is important in obtaining accurate readings without any errors. It
compares a measurement made by an instrument being tested to that of a more accurate
instrument to detect errors in the instrument being tested. Errors are acceptable if they are
within a permissible limit. Manometer used to obtain pressure while transmitter used to
convert pressure value to electrical output correctly. In this experiment, seven Run carried
out with different suggested pressures and each measurement was taken twice to obtain
average values. Following the theory, the results shows that the gage pressure is always lower
than absolute pressure (gage pressure + vacuum pressure). This is due to the pressure
deviation that always exists throughout whole experiment. This is due to factors such as
sensitivity of instruments and leakage from connecters.
INTRODUCTION AND THEORY

Pressure is measured as a force per unit area. Pressure measurements are important
not only for the monitoring and control of pressure itself but also for measuring other
parameters, such as level and flow (through differential pressure). Pressure measurement is
one of the most common measurements made in process control. It is also one of the simplest
in terms of which measuring device to select. One of the key items to consider is the primary
element for example strain gage and the Bourdon tube. Primary-element materials should be
selected to provide sufficient immunity from the process fluids and at the same time the
required measured accuracy under the process conditions they will encounter.

Pressure-measuring instruments are really pressure transducers that convert the

pressure energy into a measurable mechanical or electrical energy. Pressure measurement is
always made with respect to a reference point. There are basically three types of pressure-
sensing configurations:

1. Gage pressure, where the reference is atmospheric pressure (psig or kPag)

2. Absolute pressure, where the reference is complete vacuum (psia or kPa)
3. Differential pressure, which represents the difference between two pressure levels (note
that gage pressure is a differential pressure between a value and atmospheric pressure, 14.7
psia)
Principle of Measurement

1) Pressure Sensor Device and Calibration)

The manometer is based on the principle of hydrostatic pressure and on the

relationship between pressure and the corresponding displacement of a column of liquid. The
same principles apply to the U-tube, where the process pressure supports a column of liquid
of known density. The height of the liquid column is then read on a graduated scale. Pressure
applied to the surface of one leg causes a liquid elevation in the other leg. Generally, the
unknown pressure is applied to one leg and a reference pressure (typically atmospheric
pressure) to the other. The amount of elevation is read on a scale that is calibrated to read
directly in pressure units.

Calibration of control equipment is a key maintenance activity. It is needed to ensure

that the accuracy designed into the control system as a whole is maintained. Calibration is
performed in accordance with written procedures. It compares a measurement made by an
instrument being tested to that of a more accurate instrument to detect errors in the instrument
being tested. Errors are acceptable if they are within a permissible limit.

2) Transmitters

A typical pressure transmitter consists of two parts: the primary element and the
secondary element. The primary element (which includes the pressure sensor or pressure
element) converts the pressure into a mechanical or electrical value to be read by the
secondary element. It is the part that is most subject to failure since it faces the process
conditions. The secondary element is the transmitter’s electronics: basically, a transducer to
convert the output from the primary element into a readable signal such as 4-20 mA.
Typically, electronic-based sensors such as strain gages have a better response and a higher
accuracy than mechanical- based types such as Bourdons (which are still acceptable in many
applications).
Conclusion

This experiment was designed to investigate the relationship between gauge pressure,

absolute pressure, and diferential pressure. Pressure measurement and calibration system is

mainly studied in this experiment. Pressure measuring instrument like manometer and

transmitter which involve in converting physical to electrical output was plays great role in

measuring pressure. It is also proved that gauge pressure always lower than absolute pressure.

This experiment conducted in two way where Experiment 1 for pressure measurement and

Experiment 2 and 3 for calibration system. Experiment 1 shown that gauge pressure always

smaller than absolute pressure (gauge pressure + vaccum pressure). Eventhough, experiment

1 runs for seven time with pressure,psig 30.00, 25.00,20.00, 15.00, 10.00, 5.00 and 0.00 each

twice to obtain average result but there is always present deviations. Value of deviations quite

high. This due to some factors such as sensitivity of the pressure measuring instrument

(manometer in this experiment) and the leakage in connecters which not well fixed to gas

tank. As for Experiment 2 and 3, most of the percentage deviation is above the permissible

limits. Desired output values unable to achieved, which cause most of them fail except

calibration at 0.30/ 15.00 at 25.0% is pass for PT1 and for PT2 pass at 15.00 at 50.0% and

30.00 at 100.0% respectively. The lowest percentage deviation is 0.0625. This situation or

error occurred during pressing external hand pump to generate desired pressure. Constant

force have to applied to achieve the targeted pressure but unable to achieve due tired of

pressing for long period.

RESULTS

Table 1: Pressure Measurement

RUN I SET 1 SET 2 AVERAGE

A Suggested Pressure, psig 30.00 30.00 30.00
B Actual Gauge Pressure, psig 30.26 30.30 30.28
C Gauge Pressure, psig 30.00 30.02 30.01
D Gauge Pressure, psig 30.00 30.02 30.01
E Absolute Pressure, psia 44.60 44.80 44.70
F=B+ Calculated Absolute Pressure, psia 44.69 45.00 44.84
14.70
G1 = B – C Gauge At Pressure Gauge 0.26 0.20 0.23
Pressure
G2 = B – D Deviation, At Pressure Indicator, 0.26 0.30 0.28
psig P12
H=F–E Absolute Pressure Deviation, psia 0.09 0.20 0.14

RUN II SET 1 SET 2 AVERAGE

A Suggested Pressure, psig 25.00 25.00 25.00
B Actual Gauge Pressure, psig 25.45 25.50 25.48

C Gauge Pressure, psig 25.00 25.02 25.01

D Gauge Pressure, psig 25.80 25.90 25.85

E Absolute Pressure, psia 40.30 40.50 40.40

F = B + 14.70 Calculated Absolute Pressure, psia 40.15 40.80 40.48

G1 = B – C Gauge At Pressure Gauge

0.45 0.48 0.47
Pressure
G2 = B – D Deviation, At Pressure Indicator,
0.35 0.40 0.37
psig P12
H=F–E Absolute Pressure Deviation, psia 0.15 0.30 0.225
 RUN III SET 1 SET 2 AVERAGE
A Suggested Pressure, psig 20.00 20.00 20.00
B Actual Gauge Pressure, psig 20.08 20.10 20.09

C Gauge Pressure, psig 20.00 20.00 20.00

D Gauge Pressure, psig 20.20 20.40 20.30

E Absolute Pressure, psia 34.70 35.20 34.95

F = B + 14.70 Calculated Absolute Pressure, psia 34.75 34.90 34.83

G1 = B – C Gauge At Pressure Gauge 0.08 0.10 0.09

Pressure
G2 = B – D Deviation, At Pressure Indicator, 0.12 0.30 0.21
psig P12
H=F–E Absolute Pressure Deviation, psia 0.05 0.30 0.12

RUN IV SET 1 SET 2 AVERAGE

A Suggested Pressure, psig 15.00 15.00 15.00
B Actual Gauge Pressure, psig 14.68 14.66 15.35

C Gauge Pressure, psig 15.01 15.00 15.00

D Gauge Pressure, psig 15.30 15.20 15.63

E Absolute Pressure, psia 29.70 29.60 30.10

F = B + 14.70 Calculated Absolute Pressure, psia 29.38 29.36 29.37

G1 = B – C Gauge At Pressure Gauge 0.33 0.34 0.32

Pressure
G2 = B – D Deviation, At Pressure Indicator, 0.62 0.54 0.58
psig P12
H=F–E Absolute Pressure Deviation, psia 0.32 0.24 0.28
 RUN V SET 1 SET 2 AVERAGE
A Suggested Pressure, psig 10.00 10.00 10.00
B Actual Gauge Pressure, psig 10.10 9.95 10.02

C Gauge Pressure, psig 10.00 10.00 10.00

D Gauge Pressure, psig 10.00 10.30 10.15

E Absolute Pressure, psia 24.50 25.00 24.75

F = B + 14.70 Calculated Absolute Pressure, psia 24.80 24.65 24.72

G1 = B – C Gauge At Pressure Gauge 0.10 0.05 0.07

Pressure
G2 = B – D Deviation, At Pressure Indicator, 0.10 0.35 0.23
psig P12
H=F–E Absolute Pressure Deviation, psia 0.30 0.35 0.325

RUN VI SET 1 SET 2 AVERAGE

A Suggested Pressure, psig 5.00 5.00 5.00
B Actual Gauge Pressure, psig 5.08 5.24 5.16

C Gauge Pressure, psig 5.00 5.00 5.00

D Gauge Pressure, psig 5.20 5.27 5.24

E Absolute Pressure, psia 19.60 20.01 19.81

F = B + 14.70 Calculated Absolute Pressure, psia 19.78 19.94 20.25

G1 = B – C Gauge At Pressure Gauge 0.08 0.24 0.16

Pressure
G2 = B – D Deviation, At Pressure Indicator, 0.12 0.03 0.075
psig P12
H=F–E Absolute Pressure Deviation, psia 0.18 0.07 0.13
 RUN VII SET 1 SET 2 AVERAGE
A Suggested Pressure, psig 0.00 0.00 0.00
B Actual Gauge Pressure, psig 0.08 0.07 0.065

C Gauge Pressure, psig 0.00 0.00 0.00

D Gauge Pressure, psig 0.30 0.20 0.48

E Absolute Pressure, psia 14.70 14.60 14.60

F = B + 14.70 Calculated Absolute Pressure, psia 14.78 14.77 14.77

G1 = B – C Gauge At Pressure Gauge 0.08 0.07 0.075

Pressure
G2 = B – D Deviation, At Pressure Indicator, 0.22 0.13 0.175
psig P12
H=F–E Absolute Pressure Deviation, psia 0.08 0.37 0.225
DISCUSSIONS

Pressure measurement and calibration system is one of main aspect or measurement

system under process instrumentation. This experiment was conducted with the purpose of
study about pressure measurement tactics and calibration system to find percentage of error.
Gauge pressure and absolute pressure is often related to pressure measurement. In this
experiment, pressure measurement skills was tested and calibration system of pressure is
performed by analyzing differential pressure or percentage of deviation between desired
output and calculated output results. The digital manometer, pressure gauge and pressure
sensor / indicator were used to measure the pressure. The pressure transmitter was used to
convert pressure into electrical output. It consist primary element (which includes the
pressure sensor or pressure element) converts the pressure into a mechanical or electrical
value to be read by the secondary element.

For Experiment 1 (Measurement) the readings of pressure was measured at different

gas pressure level by run or repeat the experiment under suggested pressure,psig of 30.00,
25.00, 20.00, 15.00, 10.00, 5.00, and 0.00. The pressure is measured by take considerations
on suggested pressure. The value of F is calculated by adding the 14.70 psia, standard
atmospheric pressure plus with actual gage pressure. Experiment 1 shown that gauge pressure
always smaller than absolute pressure (gauge pressure + vacuum pressure). From Run 1 until
Run 7, the result obtained obviously describes the situations encountered during taking the
reading of pressure where it is very hard to achieve the desired pressure. Not even at least one
of Runs from Run1 to Run7 resulted in zero pressure deviation even though each Run is done
twice by taking their average values as represented by Figure 1.0. The deviations shown by
gauge pressure deviation,psig and absolute pressure deviation,psia is higher. Besides that, the
gauge pressure deviation, psig shown at pressure gauge and at pressure indicator, P12 is quite
different in terms of range of values obtained.

This situation might be lead by some factors. One of the factors is the sensitivity of
the pressure measurement instrument which is pressure meters and manometers. It always
leads to trouble in terms of pressure measurement accuracy. Besides that connecter from
manometer to PT1 sometime unable to fix well hence there is leakage occurs which affect the
results that must be achieved.
CONCLUSIONS

This experiment was designed to investigate the relationship between gauge pressure,

absolute pressure, and difRerential pressure. Pressure measurement and calibration system is

mainly studied in this experiment. Pressure measuring instrument like manometer and

transmitter which involve in converting physical to electrical output was plays great role in

measuring pressure. It is also proved that gauge pressure always lower than absolute pressure.

This experiment conducted in two way where Experiment 1 for pressure measurement and

Experiment 2 and 3 for calibration system. Experiment 1 shown that gauge pressure always

smaller than absolute pressure (gauge pressure + vaccum pressure). Eventhough, experiment

1 runs for seven time with pressure,psig 30.00, 25.00,20.00, 15.00, 10.00, 5.00 and 0.00 each

twice to obtain average result but there is always present deviations. Value of deviations quite

high. This due to some factors such as sensitivity of the pressure measuring instrument

(manometer in this experiment) and the leakage in connecters which not well fixed to gas

tank. As for Experiment 2 and 3, most of the percentage deviation is above the permissible

limits. Desired output values unable to achieved, which cause most of them fail except

calibration at 0.30/ 15.00 at 25.0% is pass for PT1 and for PT2 pass at 15.00 at 50.0% and

30.00 at 100.0% respectively. The lowest percentage deviation is 0.0625. This situation or

error occurred during pressing external hand pump to generate desired pressure. Constant

force have to applied to achieve the targeted pressure but unable to achieve due tired of

pressing for long period.

RECOMMENDATIONS

First of all, the system must be checked regularly to be in good condition where it

canuse in future. Maintenance have to do on system if needed. Make sure the pressure

measuring instrument present in good condition with correct accuracy, because it will give

fault result if not checked well. There must be insulation made on the hand pump handle to

reduce the friction between handle and hand palm. This will prevent the hand palm from

getting injured and force can be applied continuously without tired fastly. More ever,

makesure that the readings becomes stable become record any measurements. Connecter

from manometer to gas tank must be in proper condition without any leakages.
TUTORIAL

1 ) State whether the pressure is higher/lower/equal at the bottom of a tank filled with a
gas then at the top .

 Pressure is equal at the bottom of a tank fill with gas as well as at the top . This is
because, at any point in a cold ( liquid and gas ) the pressure is the same in all
direction
2) Differentrate absolute and gauge pressure .

Absolute Pressure Gauge Pressure

 The actual pressure at a given point  Pressure without the atmospheric at a
 Measured relative to an absolute given point
vacuum  Measure relative to the current
pressure of the atmosphere

3) If the contents of a tank holding 20 m3 of gas are transferred to a tank twice as much
volume and all other factory remain unchanged , what will happen to gas pressure ?

 The gas pressure will be reduce . This is explained by Boyle’s Law that states , the
pressure of a fixed amount of gas at a constant temperature is inversely proportional
to the volume of the gas .

4) If the gas in a tank heated and all other factory remain unchanged , what will happen
to the gas pressure ?

 The gas pressure will increase . This is explained by Gay- Lussac’s Law . Which
state that when a fixed volume of gas is heated , the kinetic energy of the gas
molecules increase which then increase the hitting with the tank causing the pressure
to increase .

5) What is the pressure measuring instrument used in this plant ?

 Manometer and pressure gauge , absolute and gauge pressure transmitter

6) Discuss briefly the possible erroes affecting the accuracy in the pressure
measurement as observed in the experiment

 The reading at the manometer and pressure gauge were not stabilized yet , but MVG
value was already fully shut
 The reading taken once again were not stabilized , however the vent value were
already shut , and reading was recording .
 For the site calibration experiment , the reading should be taken fast as the
manometer reading continuously reducing . This was not achieved and that is why the
experiment fail .
REFERENCES

1. Boyes, Walt (2008). Instrumentation Reference Book (Fourth ed.). Butterworth-

Heinemann. Page: 1312.

2. Pressure measurement,2014 Available

from:<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pressure_measurement> .
[30 April 2014]

3. Calibration, 2014 Available from: <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calibration>.

[30 April 2014]

4. Encyclopædia Britannica 2014, Pressure gauge, Available

from:<http://global.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/475455/pressure-gauge>.
[30 April 2014]