What device is used to measure velocity pressure in piping systems?

What device is used to measure velocity pressure in piping systems?

• A. Pitot tube
• B. Dynamic pressure gauge
• C. Hydrostatic manometer
• D. Anemometer

Answer: (A)

Velocity pressure, or dynamic pressure, reflects the energy of the moving fluid in a pipe. To obtain it, you need a device that directly senses the stagnation pressure created by the flow. A Pitot tube does this by facing the flow to capture stagnation pressure, and when used with a static-pressure tap, the difference between stagnation and static pressures gives the velocity pressure. This direct measurement is why the Pitot tube is the standard tool for assessing flow in piping systems. The other instruments don’t provide that flow-specific reading in this context: a dynamic pressure gauge isn’t the typical in-pipe device for obtaining velocity pressure; a hydrostatic manometer measures static pressure from fluid columns and ignores flow-induced dynamic effects; and an anemometer is used for open-air velocity, not water in a pipe.

Velocity pressure, or dynamic pressure, reflects the energy of the moving fluid in a pipe. To obtain it, you need a device that directly senses the stagnation pressure created by the flow. A Pitot tube does this by facing the flow to capture stagnation pressure, and when used with a static-pressure tap, the difference between stagnation and static pressures gives the velocity pressure. This direct measurement is why the Pitot tube is the standard tool for assessing flow in piping systems. The other instruments don’t provide that flow-specific reading in this context: a dynamic pressure gauge isn’t the typical in-pipe device for obtaining velocity pressure; a hydrostatic manometer measures static pressure from fluid columns and ignores flow-induced dynamic effects; and an anemometer is used for open-air velocity, not water in a pipe.