How does a bourdon tube manometer work?
GUIDE ON THE BOURDON TUBE MANOMETER
The bourdon tube pressure gauge is the type of most used pressure gauge in industry. It is characterized by using a curved bourdon tube, which gives it its name, which will be responsible fortransmitting the pressure to the gear, subsequently, the needle will provide the dial reading as it varies the pressure. The bourdon tube pressure gauge is the industry favorite, and not for nothing, because its strengths are key: The pressure gauge offers high readings precision and accuracy, resistance to vibration (a common phenomenon in most installations) and simple maintenance. In this article we will talk about its operating principle, selection criteria and its applications.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN A DRY AND A WET BOURDON TUBE
The bourdon tube manometer can be filled with glycerin (or silicone) or it can be dry, that is, containing only air.
Unfilled pressure gauges are more economical, less complex and withstand low temperatures better. However, this leads to less precision and also requires more frequent maintenance since the mechanism does not have the same resistance to vibration as it is not protected by liquid. In manometers filled with glycerin, the liquid lubricates the movement of the tube, protecting it from vibrations and sudden changes in temperature. These manometers, although more expensive, are more stable and accurate.
KEY FEATURES
Let’s review the key features of bourdon tube pressure gauges.
High pressure range: Bourdon gauges can withstand high pressures, with typical pressure ranges up to 1034 bar (15,000 psi).
High precision: The Bourdon tube manometer features a high sensitivity to pressure changes, which guarantees great accuracy and precision in the measurement. reading, normally within 2% of full scale. This makes them ideal for use in applications with critical pressure measurements, such as in process control and real-time monitoring systems.
Moderate vibration and corrosion resistance: The vibration and corrosion resistance offered by the pressure gauge makes it the preferred choice of many industries for their pressure measurement applications. pressure.
Ease of use: They are easy to install and require minimal maintenance. In addition, they are equipped with clear and easy-to-read dials and needle indicators.
Low cost: Bourdon tubes are relatively inexpensive, making them a cost-effective option for many industrial and commercial applications.
APPLICATIONS
Bourdon tube manometers are present throughout the industry for measuring medium and low pressures due to their durability, accuracy and ease of use. These are the most common applications:
- Oil and Gas Production: Bourdon tube pressure gauges are often used in the oil and gas industry to measure the pressure of fluids in wells, pipelines, boilers and other equipment.
- Agriculture: Bourdon tubes are commonly used to measure fluid pressure in sprayers, irrigation systems and other agricultural equipment
- Power generation: They are used in power plants to measure the pressure of steam, water and other fluids to generate electricity.
- Water treatment: They are used to measure water pressure in water treatment plants, ensuring that water is pumped and treated at the correct pressure.
- Pneumatics and hydraulics: Used in pneumatic and hydraulic systems to measure the pressure of air and liquids in cylinders, pumps and other components
