U-Tube Manometer
The inclined and vertical u-tube manometers are inexpensive and common in the differential pressure measurement with flow meters like pitot tubes, orifices and nozzles
Pressure measuring devices using liquid columns in vertical or inclined tubes are called manometers. One of the most common is the water filled u-tube manometer used to measure pressure difference in pitot or orifices located in the airflow in air handling or ventilation system.
In the figure bellow illustrates the water levels in an u-tube where the left tube is connected to a point with higher pressure than the right tube - example: the left tube may be connected to a pressurized air duct when the right tube is open to the ambient air.
Vertical U-Tube Manometer
The pressure difference in a vertical U-Tube manometer can be expressed as
pd = γ h
= ρ g h (1)
where
pd = pressure (Pa, N/m2, lb/ft2)
γ = specific weight of the fluid in the tube (kN/m3, lb/ft3 )
ρ = density (kg/m3, lb/ft3)
g = acceleration of gravity (9.81 m/s2, 32.174 ft/s2)
h = liquid height (m, ft)
The specific weight of water, which is the most commonly used fluid in u-tube manometers, is 9.81 kN/m3 or 62.4 lb/ft3.
Example - Orifice Differential Pressure Measurement
A water manometer connects the upstream and downstream pressure of an orifice located in an air flow. The difference height in the water column is 10 mm.
The pressure difference head can calculated
pd = (9.8 kN/m3) (103 N/kN) (10 mm) (10-3 m/mm)
= 98 N/m2 (Pa)
where
9.8 (kN/m3) is the specific weight of water in SI-units.
Inclined U-Tube Manometer
A common problem when measuring pressure difference in a low velocity system - like an air ventilation system - is a low column height and accuracy. Accuracy can be improved by inclining the u-tube manometer.
The figure bellow indicates a u-tube where the left tube is connected to a higher pressure than the right tube. Note that the left and the right tube must in the same declined plane for the angle to the horizontal plane to be correct.
The pressure difference in a inclined u-tube manometer can be expressed as
pd = γ h sin(θ) (2)
where
h = length, difference in position of the liquid column along the tube (mm, ft)
θ = angle of column relative the horizontal plane (degrees)
Inclining the tube manometer increases the accuracy of the measurement.
Example - Differential Pressure Measurement with an Inclined U-Tube manometer
We use the same data as in the example above, except that the U-Tube is inclined 45o.
The pressure difference head can then be expressed as:
pd = (9.8 kN/m3) (103 N/kN) (10 mm) (10-3 m/mm) sin(45o)
= 69.3 N/m2 (Pa)
U-tube Manometer Calculator
This calculator can be used to calculate the differential pressure measured with an U-tube manometer.
γ - specific weight of the fluid in the tube (kN/m3, lb/ft3 ) (9.8 kN/m3, 62.4 lb/ft3 default values for water)
h - length, difference in position of the liquid column along the tube (mm, ft)
θ - angle of column relative the horizontal plane (degrees)
SIImperial
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