Harare Institute of Technology

School of Engineering and Technology

Department of Chemical and Process Systems Engineering

ECP 214: PRACTICAL 2

Measurement of differential pressure using U type manometer.

OBJECTIVES

Determine the differential pressure drop across two points in a pipe, for a fluid flowing
through it.
APPARATUS

-U type manometer -Container

-Scale -Stop watch -Water

THEORY:

Manometer is a simple device used for measuring pressure differences. A U-Tube manometer
is the simplest form of manometer. It consists of a small diameter U-shaped tube of glass. The
U-Tube is clamped on a wooden board. Between the two arms the manometer, scale is fixed
on the same board. The U-Tube is partially filled with a manometer fluid. The two limbs of the
manometer are connected by the tubing to the taps between which the pressure drop is to be
measured. Air vent valves are provided at the end of the each arm for removal of trapped air
in the arm. The manometric fluid is immiscible with the process fluid and heavier than process
fluid.

Figure 1: U-TUBE MANOMETER

The common manometric fluid is mercury. U-Tube manometer filled with manometric fluid up
to certain height. The remaining portion of the U-Tube is filled with process fluid/flowing fluid
of density , including the tubing. The one limb of the manometer is connected to upstream
tap in the pipeline and other limb is connected to the downstream tap in the pipeline between
which the pressure difference P1 P2 is required to be measured Air if any is there in the line
of the manometer should be removed. At steady state, for a given flow rate, the reading of the
manometer i.e. difference in the level of the manometric fluid in two arms is measured and it
gives the value of pressure difference in terms of manometric fluid across the taps. It is
converted in terms of m of flowing liquid.

PROCEDURE

1. Connect U type manometer across a pipeline such a way that one gauge point is at
the junction of the pipe before the hindrance in the pipeline and the other gauge point
is after the hindrance. Manometer tapping are done from their gauge points and
connected to a differential manometric head having a U-Tube manometer fixed on a
measuring scale.
2. With the help of the regulating valve, adjust the rate of flow through pipe so as to get
maximum possible difference in the manometer liquid levels.
3. Note the reading of the right limb and the left limb of the manometer.
4. With the help of the stopwatch note the time taken for a specific volume of water
collected in the measuring tank.
5. Vary the flow rate and take more readings.
OBSERVATIONS:

OBSERVATION TABLE:
CALCULATION: For each reading

Differential manometer reading H = (X1 X2) (cm)

Differential pressure head P = H*(m - )*g (N/m2)

RESULTS

[30]

CONCLUSION

ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS

1. List down different types of manometer [4 marks]

2. What is the effect of flow rate on differential pressure? [3 marks]
3. Define pressure head and what its unit. [3 marks]
4. Discuss the advantages of differential manometer over the simple manometer
[10 marks]