One of the most common kinds of instruments found in a plant is the pressure gauge that is often used for steam boilers, pumps, compressors and other pressurized vessels. These devices have a wide range of industrial applications particularly in the chemical and petrochemical industries, hydraulic and pneumatic systems and instrumentations. The Ashcroft pressure gauge is designed to measure the pressure of liquid and gas hence the device must be made with exceptional quality in order to produce precise and accurate results.
Types of Ashcroft pressure gauge
- Air pressure gauges – used to evaluate the amount of gas contained in an object necessary for optimum use. One example of the air pressure gauges are those used to measure air in car tires. Once the tire loses air pressure, it is called a flat tire and the driver has to stop the car and have the tire vulcanized. Excess air pressure can make the tires stiff and can impact on the driving quality.
- Oil pressure gauge – an example of the oil pressure gauge is the instrument found on the dashboard which shows the oil pressure. Once the oil level drops, it means the oil has to be replenished otherwise you are compromising your engine. There is also a high possibility for the car to overheat which will cause you to stall in the middle of the highway.
- Differential pressure gauges – the devices that can measure both liquid and gas which is very common in airplanes. The aircraft gauges calculate the difference of the pressure allowing the pilot to determine whether there is no great difference in pressure between the inside and the outside of the plane.
How to maintain pressure gauges
If a plant operates with a failed pressure gauge, its safety might be compromised. The goal therefore of the plant is to install quality and reliable pressure gauges and switches. The gauge should be useful in the sense that it can accurately read a pressure drop in the process. Two reasons for the failure of pressure gauges are pipe vibrations and water condensation. The pressure gauges have delicate components that can be impacted by condensation and vibration like the links, pivots and pinions. The oil filling of a pressure gauge is beneficial not only because it dampens pointer vibration but is also leaves no room for humid ambient air to enter. As a result, water cannot condensate and accumulate in order to provide better visibility when reading the gauge.
Accessories that protect an ashcroft pressure gauge
- Shutoff valve – once this type of valve is tripped, flow will be quickly stopped and an indicator will tell the operator that the electric circuit has been opened or there is some kind of failure somewhere in the system.
- Pipe coils or siphons – which in a steam service protect the gauge from temperature damage and snubbers or pulsation dampeners that can absorb pressure shocks and average out pressure fluctuations.
- Chemical seals – protects the gauge from plugging up in viscous or slurry service and prevent corrosive, noxious or poisonous elements from reaching the sensor.
