PROCESS CONTROL

POST LAB REPORT

DEPARTEMENT OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

SUBMITTED TO: ENGR. MEHWISH BATOOL

SUBMITTED BY:
Saman Bibi
FA17-CHE-088
Sapna Waqif
FA17-CHE-064
Arooj Fatima
FA17-CHE-074
Usama Aziz
FA17-CHE-054

COMSATS UNIVERSITY ISLAMABAD

LAHORE CAMPUS
 U-TUBE MANOMETER

OBJECTIVE:

Draw the calibration curve and report the accuracy of Bourdon gauge using U-tube manometer.

HYPOTHESIS:

The calibration cure should be straight line showing that the U-tube manometer is accurate and
ready to use. The accuracy of the U-tube manometer should be 100% and there should be no
average error.

THEORY:

Pressure of a fluid is the normal force exerted by a fluid on a unit area. The pressure designated
will be either an absolute pressure or a gauge pressure. Absolute pressure is measured relative to
a perfect vacuum i.e. absolute zero pressure, whereas gauge pressure is measured relative to the
local atmospheric pressure. Absolute Pressures are positive, but gauge pressure can be either
positive i.e. above atmospheric pressure or negative i.e. below atmospheric pressure.

This manometer as shown in Fig. 1 consists of a U-shaped tube in which the manometric liquid is
filled. The manometer is used to measure the pressure which is unknown by the balancing gravity
force and acceleration due to gravity, g = 9.81 m/sec2. The manometer consists of a steel, brass
and aluminum material. It has a glass tube made up of pyralex glass. The graduations are made on
the tube in terms of mm or in some condition it is graduated in kPa. The unknown pressure is
applied in the one arm of the tube and the mercury in the tube or manometric liquid filled in the
tube moves in the tube or rises to the constant region and then the movement is stopped. The height
of the liquid is measured and noted.
 Fig. 1: U-Tube Manometer

Advantage of U-Tube manometer:

1. Simple in construction
2. Low cost
3. Very accurate and sensitive
4. It can be used to measure other process variables

Disadvantages of U-Tube manometer:

1. Fragile in construction
2. Very sensitive to temperature changes
3. Error can happen while measuring the h
4. Characteristics of liquid used in U-tube Manometer
5. Viscosity should be low
6. Low surface tension is required
7. The liquid should stick on the walls
8. Should not get vaporized
Bourdon tube pressure gauge as illustrate in Fig. 2 is used for the measurement of relative pressures
from 0.6 to 7,000 bar. They are classified as mechanical pressure measuring instruments, and thus
operate without any electrical power. Bourdon tubes are radially formed tubes with an oval cross-
section. The pressure of the measuring medium acts on the inside of the tube and produces a motion
in the non-clamped end of the tube. This motion is the measure of the pressure and is indicated via
the movement. The C-shaped Bourdon tubes, formed into an angle of approx. 250°, can be used
for pressures up to 60 bar. For higher pressures, Bourdon tubes with several superimposed
windings of the same angular diameter (helical tubes) or with a spiral coil in the one plane (spiral
tubes) are used.

Fig. 2: Bourdon Gauge

For critical applications there are Bourdon tube pressure gauges with liquid filling. Through the
case liquid, a precise readability is ensured, even with high dynamic pressure loads. It damps the
moving parts within the case and thus prevents damage and increased wear. Safety pressure gauges
complete the wide portfolio. In addition to a solid baffle wall between the dial and the measuring
system, these Bourdon tube pressure gauges feature a blow-out back.

Inclined tube manometer is a scientific device, used to measure a very low pressure of liquid &
gases. It is more suitable for measuring, very low-pressure measurements or where greater
accuracy is required. This inclined Tube is made by Acrylic or Plastic body.
The design of inclined manometer is shown in Fig. 3. As the name” Inclined-Limb Manometer”
suggests, the manometer limb is inclined at an angle of 45° to the horizontal. The effect of inclining
the limb is to make the manometer more sensitive than the U-tube manometer, allowing the more
accurate measurement of a lower range of pressures.

Fig. 3: Inclined Manometer

For measuring the pressure, one tube of the Inclined Tube Manometer forms into a reservoir & the
other tube of the manometer is inclined, as per its required angle usually 45°. After giving the
pressure on its reservoir which are filled with the suitable liquid shows the changes in the heights
of the other tube or angle of the Inclined Tube Manometer. The accuracy of measuring the pressure
in the Inclined Tube Manometer, is easier for the reader or end user as he only judging or
measuring the pressure gives on its reservoir area filled with the suitable liquid of the Inclined
Tube Manometer which cause the water or mercury to reach its require height in its single or angle
tube area of the Inclined Tube Manometer.

A small or low amount of pressure against the inclined manometer will produce a large liquid
movement relative to the tube's graduations. As a result, the graduation scale can be very precise-
-down to a hundredth of an inch accuracy. In addition, the inclined manometer's simple design
makes it an inexpensive, but accurate, tool for everyday gas-pressure measurement. The high
accuracy of the inclined manometer makes it a precise tool for calibrating other tools, such as a
specific pressure needed in an air-conditioning unit.
EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE:

1. First, connect the wiring to points A and E for positive pressure measurement.
2. Fill the U-tube manometer with ink to a certain level and make sure that both heights are equal
in U-tube manometer.
3. From point B, inject the pressure by using syringe.
4. Note the difference of the height of manometer and correspondingly check the pressure from
bourdon gauge.
5. Repeat the task for 3 times and for negative pressure measurement, connect the wires A and F.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS:

1. Apply pressure carefully as excessive pressure may lead to the overflow of ink in the tube that
results in tripping hazard.
2. As glassware is involved in the experiment, therefore apparatus must be used carefully.
3. Also, wear lab coat and safety mask in order to avoid any damage.

OBSERVATIONS AND CALCULATIONS:

The Observations and Calculations of Positive Pressure and Negative Pressure are summarized in
Table 1 and Table 2 respectively.
 Table 1: Observations and Calculations for Positive Pressure

Pressure as Pressure as
per per
Sr. No. Manometer Readings (mm) manometer manometer E
(P1) (P2)

H1 H2 H = H1 - H2 mBar mBar mBar

1 85 25 60 5.87 10 4.11

2 14 68 72 7.06 20 12.94

3 190 115 75 7.36 30 22.64

4 235 165 70 6.87 40 33.13

Table 2: Observations and Calculations for Negative Pressure

Pressure as Pressure as
per per
Sr. No. Manometer Readings (mm) manometer manometer E
(P1) (P2)

H1 H2 H = H1 - H2 mBar mBar mBar

1 7 80 73 7.16 10 2.84

2 60 145 85 8.34 20 11.66

3 95 195 100 9.81 30 20.19

4 160 235 75 7.36 40 32.64

The Calibration curve between Positive Pressure Bourdon Gauge Pressures (P2) vs. U-tube
manometer pressures (P1) is shown in Fig. 4.

8
7
6
5
(mBar)

4
P1

3
2
1
0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45

P2
(mBar)

Fig. 4: P2 vs. P1

The Calibration curve between Negative Pressure Bourdon Gauge Pressures (P2) vs. U-tube
manometer pressures (P1) is shown in Fig. 5.

12

10

8
(mBar)

6
P1

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
P2
(mBar)

Fig. 5: P2 vs. P1
RESULTS:

The findings of this experiment is explicitly shown in the Table 1 and Table 2 and calibration
curves illustrates as Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 tells us very much stuff about the results of the experiments
that as the pressure in the bourdon gauge increases, the pressure in the U-tube manometer increases
with little fluctuations. Bourdon Gauge shows nonlinearity with both the cases of Positive and
Negative pressures.

DISCUSSION:

We come to the conclusion from the results that clearly indicates the behavior of U tube manometer
with the applicability of bourdon gauge pressure with both positive and negative domains that
demonstrate that U tube manometer is not sharply synched with Bourdon gauge pressure as
calibration curves are not linear and symmetrical. Also, the application of pressure through syringe
is also not very accurate and there are a lot of fluctuations due to the disturbances in maintaining
the pressure in the bourdon gauge that’s ultimately cause the linearity of the U tube Manometer to
suffer.
 INCLINED MANOMETER

OBJECTIVE:

Draw the calibration curve and report the accuracy of Bourdon gauge using Inclined Manometer.

HYPOTHESIS:

The calibration cure should be straight line showing that the U-tube manometer is accurate and
ready to use. The accuracy of the U-tube manometer should be 100% and there should be no
average error.

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE:

1. First, connect the wiring to points E and G for positive pressure measurement.
2. Fill the manometer with ink to a certain level and make sure that both heights are equal in
manometer.
3. From point H, inject the pressure by using syringe.
4. Note the difference of the height of manometer and correspondingly check the pressure from
bourdon gauge.
5. Repeat the task for 3 times and for negative pressure measurement, connect the wires F and G.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS:

1. Apply pressure carefully as excessive pressure may lead to the overflow of ink in the tube that
results in tripping hazard.
2. As glassware is involved in the experiment, therefore apparatus must be used carefully.
3. Also, wear lab coat and safety mask in order to avoid any damage.

FORMULAE USED:

Average Error = Sum of all errors reported

OBSERVATIONS AND CALCULATIONS:

The Observations and Calculations of Positive Pressure and Negative Pressure are summarized in

Table 3 and Table 4 respectively.

Table 3: Observations and Calculations for Positive Pressure

Pressure as Pressure as
per per
Sr. No. Manometer Readings (mm) manometer manometer E
(P1) (P2)

H1 H2 H = H1 - H2 mBar mBar mBar

1 15 67.2 52.2 5.12 10 4.88

2 70 106.1 36.1 3.54 20 16.46

3 150 148.5 1.5 0.15 30 29.85

4 180 183.8 3.8 0.37 40 39.63

Pressure as Pressure as
per per
Sr. No. Manometer Readings (mm) manometer manometer E
(P1) (P2)

H1 H2 H = H1 - H2 mBar mBar mBar

1 80 2.83 77.2 7.57 10 2.42

2 140 42.4 97.6 9.57 20 10.42

3 195 81.3 113.7 11.15 30 18.85

4 255 120.2 134.8 13.22 40 26.78

GRAPHS:

The Calibration curve between Positive Pressure Bourdon Gauge Pressures (P2) vs. U-tube
manometer pressures (P1) is shown in Fig. 6.

4
(mBar)

3
P1

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
P2 (mBar
)

Fig. 6: P2 vs. P1
The Calibration curve between Negative Pressure Bourdon Gauge Pressures (P2) vs. U-tube
manometer pressures (P1) is shown in Fig. 7.

14

12

10

8
(mBar)

6
P1

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
P2
(mBar)

Fig. 7: P2 vs. P1

RESULTS:

The findings of this experiment is explicitly shown in the Table 3 and Table 4 and calibration
curves illustrates as Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 tells us very much stuff about the results of the experiments
that as the pressure in the bourdon gauge increases, the pressure in the inclined manometer
increases along the corrective factor of cos 45° with little fluctuations. Bourdon gauge shown no
linearity in the Positive pressure of Bourdon gauge but seems to be linear in the case of Negative
pressure of the Bourdon gauge.

DISCUSSION:

We come to the conclusion from the results that clearly indicates the behavior of inclined
manometer with the applicability of bourdon gauge pressure with both positive and negative
domains that demonstrate that inclined manometer is not sharply synched with Bourdon gauge
positive pressure as calibration curves are not linear and symmetrical because the application of
pressure through syringe is also not very accurate and there are a lot of fluctuations due to the
disturbances in maintaining the pressure in the Positive pressure bourdon gauge that’s ultimately
cause the linearity of the inclined Manometer to suffer. But in the Negative pressure Bourdon
gauge, the inclined manometer seems to be linear and accurately calibrate with the Bourdon gauge
that cause the calibration curve to become a straight line.