Sustainable Renewable Energy Engineering

Summer 2016
Fluid Mechanics Lab
Experiment 2
Calibration of Pressure Gauge
Section: 11 - U, T 1:00 p.m.
Group: C
Student Name
ID
Mona Ibrahim Albawab
U00038472
Mounia Boukhenoufa
U14123818
Kholood Abdollah
U14121356
Ayat Mohammed Ahmed
U00032083
Dr.
Mohammed
Ali Abdul Kareem
Lab
Instructor
Mohammed
Lab Engineer
Eng. Monadhel Alchadirchy
Experiment Date
19-June-2016
Report Submission
21-June- 2016
Date

Table of Contents
Abstract
..........
.............. Page 4
Objectives
..........
.............. Page 4
Theoretical Background

... Page 4
Apparatus

... Page 5
Procedure
.
.. Page 5
Experimental results and completed tables:
.
.. Page 6
Calculations
..
. Page 6
Graph Plot
..........................................................................
Page10
Discussion
..........................................................................
Page11
Conclusion
.
.. Page11
References

.
.. Page12

List of Figures and/or Tables:

Page
Number

Figures Title
Figure 1: Burden Tube
Pressure Gauge

Figure 2: Calibration of
pressure gauge
apparatus

Table -1-

Figure -3- Increasing and

Decreasing Gauge
Readings (kN/m2) Against
the Actual Pressure
(kN/m2)

Figure -4- Average

error(kN/m2) against the
Applied Pressure (kN/m2)

Abstract:
This experiment is conducted in order to make calibration of one of the most common used
pressure gauge, which is the Burden Tube Pressure Gauge. In this experiment we will
investigate the encountered errors while using these devices, and we will evaluate the
maximum degree of uncertainty in two stages, loading and unloading the gauge. The
Bourdon Pressure gauge is commonly used because such gauges are simple to use, safe, and
inexpensive, as well as highly accurate.
This experiment is important because it gives us an indication about the uncertainty of the
pressure gauge and how far the obtained readings from the actual values. We find that our
gauge is accurate to some extend and the readings are close to the actual values.
Objectives:

Calibration of a Bourdon Gauge type.

Investigation of the encountered errors,
evaluation of the maximum degree of
uncertainty.

Theoretical Background:
Pressure:
Pressure is defined as force per unit area. It is
usually more convenient to use pressure rather
than force to describe the influences upon fluid behavior. The standard unit for pressure is
the Pascal, which is a Newton per square meter.
For an object sitting on a surface, the force pressing on the surface is the weight of the
object, but in different orientations it might have a different area in contact with the surface
and therefore exert a different pressure.1
Figure -1- Burden Tube Pressure
Gauge4

The pressure P can be calculated as a function of the force F and cross-sectional area A, as
follows:

F
A

mg
A

(2-1)
Instruments used to measure pressure are called pressure gauges or vacuum gauges.

Some of these instruments are Manometer, Barometer, Pressure Transduce and Burden
Gauge, with the later one being the most common type used in industrial applications.
The Bourdon tube pressure gauge is the most commonly used type in steam systems. It
consists of a coiled or 'C' - shaped tube that is sealed at one end, and open at the other. The
open end of the Bourdon tube is exposed to the process fluid, allowing it to flow into the
tube. Any increase in pressure causes elastic distortion of the tube, causing it to unwind. The
4

resulting displacement of the closed end of the tube is translated by a series of gears to an
angular displacement of the pointer.
The pointer position is therefore proportional to the pressure applied at the gauge's pressure
connector. Typically, the maximum deflection of the Bourdon tube corresponds to a pointer
angular displacement of 270. The tube can be constructed out of a number of different
materials, depending on the application; generally, brass or bronze is used for higher
pressures, whereas stainless steel is used for lower pressures. Bourdon tube pressure gauges
often have the option of being liquid filled. The area surrounding the Bourdon tube is filled
with a transparent liquid, normally glycerin. This protects the internal mechanisms against
damage from severe vibration and to keep out ambient corrosives and condensation.2
Experimental Uncertainties & Error Analysis
In engineering, experimentally measured values are reported with their uncertainties, as follows:
X X mea sured X
(2-2)
Where Xmeasured is the best estimate of the measured value and X is the uncertainty in the
measurement. The uncertainty may have two components: bias, which is related to the accuracy of
the measurement tools, and the unavoidable
random variation that occurs when making
repeated measurements, which is related to
the
precision of the measurement tools.
A precise measurement is one where
independent measurements of the same
quantity closely cluster about a single value
that
may or may not be the correct value. An
accurate measurement is one where
independent measurements cluster about the
true
value of the measured quantity.
These uncertainties in measure quantities propagate through the derived quantities. Uncertainty
analysis is often called the "propagation of error". 3
Apparatus and Procedure:
Experimental Apparatus:
Bourdon Tube gauge shown in Figure -2-.
Known weights for loading and unloading.
Experimental Procedure:
Figure -2- Calibration of pressure
gauge
apparatus 3
1. The weight of the piston and its cross-sectional area should be
noted.
2. The piston is removed and water is poured into the cylinder until is full to the overflow level.
3. Clear any air trapped in the tube by tilting and gently tapping the apparatus.
4. The piston is then replaced in the cylinder and allowed to settle.
5. A spirit level placed on the platform at the top of the piston may be used to ensure that the
cylinder stand quite vertically.
6. Weights are now added in convenient increments, and at each increment the pressure gauge
reading is observed (Loading).
7. A similar set of result is then taken with decreasing weights (Unloading).
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8. To guard against the piston sticking in the cylinder, it is advisable to rotate the piston gently
while the pressure gauge is being used.
9. Plot a graph of increasing and decreasing gauge readings (kN/m 2) and against the actual
pressure (kN/m2) to get a visual indication of any hysteresis in the gauge.
10.Plot a graph of the average error(kN/m 2) against the applied pressure (kN/m2) to get a visual
indication of the reading error across the pressure range.

Experimental results and completed tables:

Mas
s
Add
ed
to
the
Pist
on

Tota
l
Mas
s on
the
Pist
on

Actua
l
Press
ure P

kg
0

kg
1

kN/m2

Increasing
Pressure

Gaug
e
Readi
ng
kN/m2
29

Relati
ve
Error
%

31.14
62.29
2

58.5

Relati
ve
Error

66

6%

%
9%

92
3.66%

Error
of Full
Scale

kN/m2

kN/m2
0.36

91

2.42
2.1

1.3%

146

144
6.23%

Formulas Used:
Piston Area = 315 mm = 0.000315 m

0.015
%
1.21%

123
2.1%

155.7

0.18%
0.03

1.5%

122

Avera
ge
Error

62.25

90

Avera
ge
Gaug
e
Readi
ng

31.5

6.1%

124.6
4

Gaug
e
Readi
ng
kN/m2
34

6.9%

93.42
3

Decreasing
Pressure

122.5
145

1.05%
10.7

7.5%

5.35%

Table -1-

Mass of plunger & Platform = 1 kg

Total Mass (m) = Mass of plunger & Platform + Added Mass
Actual pressure (Calibration Constants) = Total mass(kg) * 31.14 or Actual pressure =

F mg
=
A A
Relative Error =

| Actual PressureGauge Pressure|

Gauge Error
100=
100
Actual Pressure
Actual Pressure

Average Gauge Reading =

Increasing Gauge Pressure+ Decreasi ng Gauge Pressure

2

Average Error = |Actual Pressure

Error of Full Scale =

Average Pressure|

Average Error
100
Full Scale Reading

Calculations:
1. Reading #1 , Total mass on the piston = 1 kg ( No load added ):
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1. Actual pressure (Calibration Constants) = Total mass(kg) * 31.14

1 (kg) 31.14 (kN/m2) = 31.14 kN/m2
2. Relative Error (Increasing)

| Actual PressureGauge Pressure|

Actual Pressure

100=

|31.1429|
31.14

100

6.9%

3. Relative Error (Decreasing)

9%
4. Average Gauge Reading =

| Actual PressureGauge Pressure|

Actual Pressure

5. Average Error = |Actual Pressure

6. Error of Full Scale =

|31.1434|
31.14

100

Increasing Gauge Pressure+ Decreasing Gauge Pressure 29+34

=
2
2

31.5 kN/m

KN/m

100=

Average Pressure| = 31.14

31.5 = 0.36

Average Error
0.36
100=
100 = 0.18%
Full Scale Reading
200

2. Reading #2 , Total mass on the piston = 2 kg :

1. Actual pressure (Calibration Constants) = Total mass(kg) * 31.14
2 (kg) 31.14 (kN/m2) = 62.28 kN/m2
2. Relative Error (Increasing)

| Actual PressureGauge Pressure|

Actual Pressure

100=

|62.2858.5|
62.28

100

= 6.1%
3. Relative Error (Decreasing)

| Actual PressureGauge Pressure|

Actual Pressure

100=

|62.2866|
62.28

100

= 6%
4. Average Gauge Reading=
Increasing Gauge Pressure+ Decreasing Gauge Pressure 58.5+66
=
2
2
5. Average Error = |Actual Pressure
KN/m
6. Error of Full Scale =

= 62.25 kN/m

Average Pressure| = 62.28

Average Error
0.03
100=
100 = 0.015%
Full Scale Reading
200
8

62.25 = 0.03

3. Reading #3 , Total mass on the piston = 3 kg :

1. Actual pressure (Calibration Constants) = Total mass(kg) * 31.14
3
(kg) 31.14 (kN/m2) = 93.42 kN/m2
2. Relative Error (Increasing)

| Actual PressureGauge Pressure|

Actual Pressure

100=

|93.4290|
93.42

100

3.66%

3. Relative Error (Decreasing)

= 1.5%
4. Average Gauge Reading=

| Actual PressureGauge Pressure|

Actual Pressure

5. Average Error = |Actual Pressure

6. Error of Full Scale =

|93.4292|
93.42

100

Increasing Gauge Pressure+ Decreasing Gauge Pressure 90+ 92

=
2
2

= 91 kN/m

KN/m

100=

Average Pressure| = 93.42

91 = 2.42

Average Error
2.42
100=
100 = 1.21%
Full Scale Reading
200

4. Reading #3 , Total mass on the piston = 4 kg :

1. Actual pressure (Calibration Constants) = Total mass(kg) * 31.14
4(kg) 31.14 (kN/m2) = 124.6 kN/m2
2. Relative Error (Increasing)

| Actual PressureGauge Pressure|

Actual Pressure

100=

|124.6122|
124.6

100

= 2.1%
3. Relative Error (Decreasing)

| Actual PressureGauge Pressure|

Actual Pressure

100=

|124.6123|
124.6

100

= 1.3%
4. Average Gauge Reading=
Increasing Gauge Pressure+ Decreasing Gauge Pressure 122+123
=
2
2
5. Average Error = |Actual Pressure
KN/m
6. Error of Full Scale =

=122.5 kN/m

Average Pressure| = 124.6

Average Error
2.1
100=
100 = 1.05%
Full Scale Reading
200
9

122.5 = 2.1

5. Reading #3 , Total mass on the piston = 5 kg :

1. Actual pressure (Calibration Constants) = Total mass(kg) * 31.14
5(kg) 31.14 (kN/m2) = 155.7 kN/m2
2. Relative Error (Increasing)

| Actual PressureGauge Pressure|

Actual Pressure

100=

|155.7146|
155.7

100

= 6.23%
3. Relative Error (Decreasing)

| Actual PressureGauge Pressure|

Actual Pressure

100=

|155.7144|
155.7

100

= 7.5%
4. Average Gauge Reading=
Increasing Gauge Pressure+ Decreasing Gauge Pressure 146+144
=
2
2
5. Average Error = |Actual Pressure
KN/m
6. Error of Full Scale =

=145kN/m

Average Pressure| = 155.7

Average Error
10.7
100=
100 = 5.35%
Full Scale Reading
200

10

145 = 10.7

Graphs:
Increasing & Decreasing Gauge Readings VS Actual Pressure
160
140
120
100

Increasing

80

Linear (Increasing)

60

Decreasing

40

Linear (Decreasing)

20
0
20

40

60

80

100 120 140 160 180

Actual pressure KN/m

Figure -3- Increasing and Decreasing Gauge

Readings (kN/m2) Against the Actual Pressure
(kN/m2)

11

Average Error VS Applied Pressure

12
10
Actual Pressure

8
Average Error KM/m

Gauge Reading ( Increasing

Pressure)

Gauge Reading (Deacreasing

Pressure)

2
0
0

50

100 150 200

Applied Pressure KN/m

Figure -4- Average error(kN/m2) against the

Applied Pressure (kN/m2)

References:
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pressure_measurement
[2] http://marinenotes.blogspot.ae/2011/11/how-bourdon-pressure-gauges-work.html
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[3] Lab Manual .

[4] https://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=

13