Chemical engineering relies heavily on pressure since it has a direct impact on how materials behave, how processes work, and how safe and efficient chemical plants are. Beyond merely measuring pressure, it is an essential metric for managing chemical reactions, flow rates, efficiency, safety, and physical changes. Important elements of the investigation include the process design, material behaviour (to determine phase transitions and solubility), and reaction performance (reaction rates and product yields). When pressure is applied, a needle on the dial of the circular pressure gauge moves. In industry, it is often used for monitoring and offers quick, direct pressure.
There are different types of pressure gauges:
Types of Pressure Gauge
|
Pressure Units
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Applications
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Bourdon Tube Gauge
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psi, Bar, Pa
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General industrial use, hydraulics, gas cylinders
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Diaphragm Gauge
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Pa, Bar, psi
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Low-pressure measurement, process industries
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Capsule Gauge
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mbar, Pa
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low-pressure gases, ventilation systems
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Bellows Gauge
|
Pa, psi, Bar
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Medium pressure ranges in industrial equipment
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Manometer
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mm Hg, mH₂O, Pa
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Laboratory, fluid mechanics experiments
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Digital Pressure Gauge
|
psi, Bar, Pa
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calibration, portable testing
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Piezoelectric Gauge
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Pa, Bar
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Dynamic pressure measurement, aerospace, engines
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Vacuum Gauge
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Torr, mm Hg, Pa
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Vacuum systems, distillation, refrigeration, space applications
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Differential Pressure Gauge
|
Pa, Bar, psi
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Measures the difference between two pressures
(filters, HVAC, flow measurement)
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Absolute (Sealed) Pressure Gauge
|
Bar, Pa, psi
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Measures pressure relative to absolute vacuum (scientific research,
altitude simulation)
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Thermal Conductivity Gauge
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Torr, Pa
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Low vacuum measurement (vacuum furnaces,
thin-film coating systems)
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Ionization Gauge
|
Torr, Pa
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Ultra-high vacuum measurement (particle accelerators, space research)
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Resonant Wire Gauge
|
Pa, psi
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Exact measurement in research and calibration
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Strain Gauge pressure transducer
|
Pa, psi, mV/V
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Electronic measurement in automation, robotics, and aerospace
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Pressure has a wide range of applications in the chemical engineering industries:
Hydraulics and Pneumatics: Hydraulic brakes, lifts, and presses work on Pascal's law.
In Hydraulics pump generates pressure in the fluid by pushing oil into the system. A Control Valve regulates pressure to control the speed and force of actuators. In cylinders, pressure acts on the piston surface that converts into a linear force. Motors require rotary motion by applied pressure. High Pressure - 100-700 bar for heavy force to press metals in hydraulics.
In pneumatic systems, an air compressor compresses atmospheric air to build pressure. Storage tanks of compressed air under pressure. Actuators, pressure pushes pistons that create linear or rotary motion. Medium Pressure around 6-12 bar, for speed and a lighter force is required.
Boilers and steam systems: Pressure is monitored in Boilers, turbines, and reactors.
Inside the boiler drum or furnace where pressure rises are required to build up as water is heated and converted into steam. High pressure raises the boiling point of water, which produces high-energy steam. Pressure differences push water through boiler tubes and maintain circulation because proper circulation ensures uniform heating and prevents tube damage. In superheater tubes, steam is required at high pressure through superheaters to increase the temperature beyond saturation because high-pressure steam carries more energy and improves turbine efficiency. In a steam distribution system, pressure keeps steam flowing from the boiler to process equipment or turbine because, without pressure, steam cannot travel long distances or reach end-users. Pressure Difference between the turbine outlet and the condenser is crucial because this pressure drop increases turbine efficiency and allows condensation.
In safety valves, pressure is monitored and controlled to avoid accidents. If overpressure is exerted, then a boiler explosion is possible.
Pipelines and fluid transport: Oil, gas, and water pipelines use pressure differences for flow.
Pressure differentials are required in pipelines in order to start motion and overcome the inertia of the fluid. Pressure is necessary to overcome friction losses caused by pipe wall friction, couplings, and bands in order for fluids or gases to move continuously over long distances. Real pressure is required in situations when lift fluids are used to provide energy to pump fluids to higher elevations. Water supply pipelines require pressure to transport water to designated areas. Process equipment, sprinklers, and turbines require a working pressure to maintain balance and prevent gases or other fluids from entering the pipes. By avoiding cavitations, vapour lock, and collapse, enough pressure maintains pipeline stability and safety.
Aerospace and Automotive: Tire pressure, aircraft cabin pressure, fuel injection systems.
Many systems in the automotive and aerospace industries depend on pressure to ensure performance, safety, and efficacy. Pressure is required in the aircraft industry for hydraulic systems to precisely control surfaces, landing gear, and brakes, as well as for fuel systems to distribute and regulate fuel at the right flow rate. Pneumatic controls, fuel injection, and combustion chambers all use pressure in the propulsion system. It also circulates refrigerant in air conditioning systems and oil under pressure in lubrication systems to reduce wear and friction. Pressure is essential for power transmission, control, safety, and operational reliability.
Pressure Unit Conversion
1 Pa = 1 N/m2
1 bar = 106 Pa
1 atm = 101325 Pa
1 psi = 6894.76 Pa
1 Torr = 133.322 Pa
1 Ba = 0.1 Pa
1 mmHg = 133.322 Pa
1 cm H2O = 98.0665 Pa
1 mH2O = 0.098 kg/cm2
1 kg/cm2 = 14.22 psi
1 bar = 1.019 kg/cm2
1 kg/cm2 = 0.98 bar
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