/*! This file is auto-generated */ .wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none} Problem 59 An open-end mercury manometer is... [FREE SOLUTION] | 91Ó°ÊÓ

91Ó°ÊÓ

An open-end mercury manometer is connected to a low-pressure pipeline that supplies a gas to a laboratory. Because paint was spilled on the arm connected to the line during a laboratory renovation, it is impossible to see the level of the manometer fluid in this arm. During a period when the gas supply is connected to the line but there is no gas flow, a Bourdon gauge connected to the line downstream from the manometer gives a reading of 7.5 psig. The level of mercury in the open arm is \(900 \mathrm{mm}\) above the lowest part of the manometer. (a) When the gas is not flowing, the pressure is the same everywhere in the pipe. How high above the bottom of the manometer would the mercury be in the arm connected to the pipe? (b) When gas is flowing, the mercury level in the visible arm drops by \(25 \mathrm{mm}\). What is the gas pressure (psig) at this moment?

Short Answer

Expert verified
The height of the mercury in the arm connected to the pipe when the gas is not flowing is approximately \(25307.9175 \, \text{mm}\). When the gas is flowing, the new pressure is \(7.21 \, \text{psig}\).

Step by step solution

01

Convert Pressure Reading to Mercury Height

For the first part of the question, you should take the given Bourdon gauge reading of 7.5 psig and convert it to the corresponding mercury height. The conversion factor here is 0.491 in./psia = 3386.389 mmHg/psia. Thus, an equivalent mercury height is \(7.5 \, \text{psig} =7.5 \times 3386.389 \, \text{mmHg} =25447.9175 \, \text{mmHg}\). Remember, since 1 psig = 1 psi above atmospheric pressure and the atmospheric pressure = 760 mmHg, therefore you need to add 760 mmHg to the Bourdon gauge reading making it \(25447.9175 \, \text{mmHg} + 760 \, \text{mmHg} = 26207.9175 \, \text{mmHg}\).
02

Calculate the mercury level in the pipe arm

When the gas is not flowing, the pressure is the same everywhere in the pipe. The heights of the mercury in both arms of the manometer are added together to equal this pressure. Given that the mercury in the open arm is at \(900 \, \text{mm}\), the height of the mercury in the pipe arm is therefore \(26207.9175 \, \text{mm} - 900 \, \text{mm} = 25307.9175 \, \text{mm}\). This is how high above the bottom of the manometer the mercury level is in the arm connected to the pipe.
03

Calculate the change in gas pressure when the gas is flowing

When gas is flowing, the mercury level in the visible arm drops by \(25 \, \text{mm}\). This means the pressure has changed. The difference in mercury height between the two arms of the manometer equals the pressure. This is \(25307.9175 \, \text{mm} - 875 \, \text{mm} = 24432.9175 \, \text{mm}\). This can be converted back into pressure using the conversion factor, giving \(24432.9175 \, \text{mm} / 3386.389 \, \text{mmHg/psia} = 7.21 \, \text{psig}\). Therefore, the gas pressure when flowing is \(7.21 \, \text{psig}\).

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91Ó°ÊÓ!

Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Pressure Conversion
Pressure conversion is a crucial concept, especially when dealing with different measurement units. In this exercise, the Bourdon gauge measures pressure in pounds per square inch gauge (psig), which is a measure above atmospheric pressure. To convert this to a mercury height, understanding the conversion factor is key. Here, the conversion used is 3386.389 mmHg/psia. This implies that every 1 psi corresponds to 3386.389 mmHg. When converting pressure in psig to mmHg, you would add the atmospheric pressure, which is standard at 760 mmHg to the resulting value from the conversion. This ensures the calculated pressure is absolute, accounting for atmospheric conditions. Thus, pressure conversion isn't just transferring numbers; it's about setting them into the right context, which here means considering both gauge and atmospheric pressures accordingly.
Bourdon Gauge
A Bourdon gauge is a common instrument used to measure pressure. These gauges are particularly known for their simplicity and durability. They use a flexible metal tube which curves in response to pressure changes, thus giving a measure of the pressure. In our exercise scenario, the gauge showed 7.5 psig when the gas was not flowing. This specific reading hinted at the pressure difference between the gas inside the pipeline and the atmospheric pressure. Using such devices in conjunction with a manometer allows for consistent pressure readings even though the Bourdon gauge does not directly indicate the height of a liquid column, like mercury. Instead, it gives an immediate value that must be converted into other formats for comprehensive analysis.
Gas Pressure Calculation
Calculating gas pressure when the gas is flowing involves understanding the dynamics of the pressure drop indicated by the manometer. When gas begins to flow, it changes the pressure in the system. In this case, the visible mercury level drops by 25 mm when the gas flows. This drop indicates a lower pressure on the side of the pipeline, relative to the originally stable, non-flowing state. To find the new pressure, you first calculate the new height difference between the two arms of the manometer and then convert this height back to a pressure with the conversion factor (3386.389 mmHg/psia). These calculations show that understanding the behavior of the manometer readings is essential in finding the gas pressure, which in flowing conditions registered as 7.21 psig, slightly lower than the non-flowing state.

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

The following data have been obtained for the effect of solvent composition on the solubility of a serine, an amino acid, at \(10.0^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) : $$\begin{array}{|l|c|c|c|c|c|c|c|c|}\hline \text { Volume \% Methanol } & 0 & 10 & 20 & 30 & 40 & 60 & 80 & 100 \\\\\hline \text { Solubility (g/100 mL solvent) } & 22.72 & 18.98 & 11.58 & 6.415 & 4.205 & 1.805 & 0.85 & 0.65 \\\\\hline \text { Solution Density (g/mL) } & 1.00 & 0.98 & 0.97 & 0.95 & 0.94 & 0.91 & 0.88 & 0.79 \\\\\hline\end{array}$$ The data were obtained by mixing known volumes of methanol and water to obtain the desired solvent compositions, and then slowly adding measured amounts of serine to each mixture until no more would go into solution. The temperature was held constant at \(10.0^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\). (a) Derive an expression for solvent composition expressed as mass fraction of methanol, \(x\), as a function of volume fraction of methanol, \(f\) (b) Prepare a table of solubility of serine (g serine/g solution) versus mass fraction of methanol.

A gas stream contains 18.0 mole \(\%\) hexane and the remainder nitrogen. The stream flows to a condenser, where its temperature is reduced and some of the hexane is liquefied. The hexane mole fraction in the gas stream leaving the condenser is \(0.0500 .\) Liquid hexane condensate is recovered at a rate of \(1.50 \mathrm{L} / \mathrm{min}\). (a) What is the flow rate of the gas stream leaving the condenser in mol/min? (Hint: First calculate the molar flow rate of the condensate and note that the rates at which \(C_{6} H_{14}\) and \(N_{2}\) enter the unit must equal the total rates at which they leave in the two exit streams.) (b) What percentage of the hexane entering the condenser is recovered as a liquid? (c) Suggest a change you could make in the process operating conditions to increase the percentage recovery of hexane. What would be the downside?

Coal being used in a power plant at a rate of \(8000 \mathrm{lb}_{\mathrm{m}} / \mathrm{min}\) has the following composition: $$\begin{array}{lc}\hline \text { Component } & \text { Weight } \% \text { (dry basis) } \\ \hline \text { Ash } & 7.2 \\\\\text { Sulfur } & 3.5 \\\\\text { Hydrogen } & 5.0 \\\\\text { Carbon } & 75.2 \\ \text { Nitrogen } & 1.6 \\\\\text { Oxygen } & 7.5 \\\\\hline\end{array}$$ In addition, there are \(4.58 \mathrm{lb}_{\mathrm{m}} \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}\) per \(\mathrm{lb}_{\mathrm{m}}\) of coal. Determine the molar flow rate of each element in the coal (including water) other than ash.

The level of toluene (a flammable hydrocarbon) in a storage tank may fluctuate between 10 and \(400 \mathrm{cm}\) from the top of the tank. Since it is impossible to see inside the tank, an open-end manometer with water or mercury as the manometer fluid is to be used to determine the toluene level. One leg of the manometer is attached to the tank \(500 \mathrm{cm}\) from the top. A nitrogen blanket at atmospheric pressure is maintained over the tank contents. (a) When the toluene level in the tank is 150 cm below the top \((h=150 \mathrm{cm})\), the manometer fluid level in the open arm is at the height of the point where the manometer connects to the tank. What manometer reading, \(R\) (cm), would be observed if the manometer fluid is (i) mercury, (ii) water? Which manometer fluid would you use, and why? (b) Briefly describe how the system would work if the manometer were simply filled with toluene. Give several advantages of using the fluid you chose in Part (a) over using toluene. (c) What is the purpose of the nitrogen blanket?

Perform the following estimations without using a calculator. (a) Estimate the mass of water (kg) in an Olympic-size swimming pool. (b) A drinking glass is being filled from a pitcher. Estimate the mass flow rate of the water (g/s). (c) Twelve male heavyweight boxers coincidentally get on the same elevator in Great Britain. Posted on the elevator wall is a sign that gives the maximum safe combined weight of the passengers, \(W_{\mathrm{max}},\) in stones. (A stone is a unit of mass equal to \(14 \mathrm{lb}_{\mathrm{m}}\). It is commonly used in England as a measure of body weight, which, like the numerical equivalence between the \(1 \mathrm{b}_{\mathrm{m}}\) and \(\mathrm{Ib}_{\mathrm{f}},\) is only valid at or near sea level.) If you were one of the boxers, estimate the lowest value of \(W_{\max }\) for which you would feel comfortable remaining on the elevator. (d) The Trans-Alaska Pipeline has an outside diameter of 4 ft and extends 800 miles from the North Slope of Alaska to the northernmost ice-free port in Valdez, Alaska. How many barrels of oil are required to fill the pipeline? (e) Estimate the volume of your body \(\left(\mathrm{cm}^{3}\right)\) in two different ways. (Show your work.) (f) A solid block is dropped into water and very slowly sinks to the bottom. Estimate its specific gravity.

See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Chemistry Textbooks

View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.