Pressure Measurement

Types of Pressure Transducers Diapharagm type Capsule & Bellow type Piston type Bourden Tube Pressure Guage Wheatstone bridge (strain based) Electrical Pressure Transducers
Strain Gauge types. Piezo electric types.

Pressure Guages
Pressure is probably one of the most common variables in the power plant. It includes the measurement of steam pressure; feed water pressure, condenser pressure, lubricating oil pressure and many more. Pressure is actually the measurement of force acting on area of surface. Pressure =Force/Area The units of measurement are either in pounds per square inch (PSI) in British units or Pascals (Pa) in metric. As one PSI is approximately 7000 Pa

These are similar in principle to the capsule but the diaphragm is usually very thin and perhaps made of rubber. The diaphragm expands when very small pressures are applied. The movement is transmitted to a pointer on a dial through a fine mechanical linkage . Diaphragms provide fast acting and accurate pressure indication. However, the movement or stroke is not as large as the bellows

Diaphragms

Capsules & Bellows

A bellows is made of several capsules. These are hollow flattened structures made from thin metal plate. When pressurised the bellows expand and produce mechanical movement. It converts a pressure differential into a physical displacement, here the displacement is much more a straight-line expansion. very useful for measuring small pressures. Figure shows how a LVDT can be connected to the bellows so that the pressure measurement is converted directly from displacement to voltage.

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Piston
The pressure acts directly on the piston and compresses the spring. The position of the piston is directly related to the pressure. A window in the outer case allows the pressure to be indicated. This type is usually used in hydraulics where the ability to withstand shock, vibration and sudden pressure changes is needed (shock proof gauge). The piston movement may be connected to a secondary device to convert movement into an electrical signal.

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LVDT

LVDT Working

Bourdon Tube
The Bourdon tube is a hollow tube with an elliptical cross section. When a pressure difference exists between the inside and outside, the tube tends to straighten out and the end moves. The movement is usually coupled to a needle on a dial to make a complete gauge. It can also be connected to a secondary device such as a suitable transducer to convert it into an electric signal.

Wheatstone bridge (strain based) sensors are the

most common, offering solutions that meet varying accuracy, size, ruggedness, and cost constraints. Bridge sensors are used for high and low pressure applications, and can measure absolute, gauge, or differential pressure All bridge sensors make use of a strain gauge and a diaphragm

Electrical Pressure Transducers Strain Gauge types

Strain gauges are small elements that are fixed to a surface that is strained. The change in length of the element produces changes in the electrical resistance. This is processed and converted into a voltage. A typical pressure transducer would contain a metal diaphragm which bends under pressure.

Piezo Electric Types

The element used here is a piece of crystalline material that produces an electric charge on its surface when it is mechanically stressed. The electric charge may be converted into voltage. This principle is used in the pick up crystal of a record player, in microphones and even to generate a spark in a gas ignitor. When placed inside a pressure transducer, the pressure is converted into an electric signal.

DP Pressure Transmitter
Provision is made in the housing for highpressure fluid to be applied on one side of the capsule and low-pressure fluid on the other. Any difference in pressure will cause the capsule to deflect and create motion in the force bar. The top end of the force bar is then connected to a position detector, which via an electronic system will produce a 4 - 20 ma signal that is proportional to the force bar movement.

The Electrical Output of Pressure Transducers

Pressure transducers are generally available with three types of electrical output

Millivolt Volt and 4-20mA

Millivolt Output Pressure Transducers

Are normally the most economical. The output is nominally around 30mV. The actual output is directly proportional to the input power or excitation. If the excitation fluctuates, the output changes. Because the output signal is so low, the transducer should not be located in an electrically noisy environment. The distances between the transducer and the readout instrument should also be kept relatively short.

Voltage Output Pressure Transducers

Include integral signal conditioning which provide a much higher output than a millivolt transducer. The output is normally 0-5Vdc or 0-10Vdc. Because they have a higher level output these transducers are not as susceptible to electrical noise as millivolt transducers and can therefore be used in much more industrial environments.

4-20 mA Output Pressure Transducers

Since a 4-20mA signal is least affected by electrical noise and resistance & are best used for long distances. It is not uncommon to use these transducers in applications where the lead wire must be 1000 feet or more

Styles of Pressure Transducers

PC Board Mountable Pressure Transducers are generally compact economical pressure transducers designed to mount on an electrical PC board and be integrated into other products

General Purpose Transducers

General purpose pressure transducers are the most common since they are designed to fit the broadest set of applications

Heavy Duty/Industrial Pressure Transducers

Feature a much more rugged enclosure than other transducers. They are designed to accommodate heavy industrial environments. 4-20mA output provides much greater immunity to electrical noise in industrial environments.

High Stability/High Accuracy Pressure Transducers

An accuracy of 0.25% of full scale or higher. High stability and high accuracy can offer errors as low as 0.05% of full scale Although more expensive than general purpose transducers, they may be the only option if high precision is required.

Flush Diaphragm Pressure Transducers

With flush diaphragm pressure transducers, the diaphragm is flush to the process. This eliminates a cavity above the diaphragm that could collect fluid matter from the process. Those applications include monitoring the pressure of foods or liquids that have very high viscosity

Special Purpose Transducers

These include pressure transducers specially designed for pressure measurement in very high or low temperatures, submersible pressure transducers, barometric pressure transducers and pressure transducers with digital communications output or wireless outputs.