Problem 3.

31 [Difficulty: 2]

Given: A U-tube manometer is connected to the open tank filled with water as
shown (manometer fluid is mercury). The tank is sealed and pressurized.

D1 = 2.5⋅ m D2 = 0.7⋅ m d = 0.2⋅ m po = 0.5⋅ atm SGHg = 13.55 (From Table A.1, App. A)

Find: The manometer deflection, l

Solution: We will apply the hydrostatics equations to this system.

Governing Equations: dp
= ρ⋅ g (Hydrostatic Pressure - h is positive downwards)
dh
ρ = SG⋅ ρwater (Definition of Specific Gravity)

Assumptions: (1) Static liquid

(2) Incompressible liquid

Integrating the hydrostatic pressure equation we get:

Δp = ρ⋅ g⋅ Δh

When the tank is filled with water and pressurized, the mercury in the left leg of the D1
manometer is displaced downward by l/2. The mercury in the right leg is displaced d d
upward by the same distance, l/2.

Beginning at the free surface of the tank, and accounting for the changes in pressure with D2 c
elevation:

patm + po + ρwater⋅ g⋅ ⎛⎜ D1 − D2 + d + ⎟ − ρHg⋅ g⋅ l = patm

l⎞
⎝ 2⎠
Upon simplification: po
+ D1 − D2 + d
ρwater⋅ g
po + ρwater⋅ g⋅ ⎛⎜ D1 − D2 + d +
l⎞
⎟ = ρHg⋅ g⋅ l l=
⎝ 2⎠
SGHg −
1
2
Substituting values into the expression:

⎛ 5 3 2⎞
⎜ 0.5⋅ atm × 1.013 × 10 ⋅ N × 1 ⋅ m × 1 ⋅ s ⎟ + 2.5⋅ m − 0.7⋅ m + 0.2⋅ m
⎜ 2 1000 kg 9.8 m ⎟
l = ⎝ m ⋅ atm ⎠ l = 0.549 m
1
13.55 −
2