Different types of manometers used in laboratory as well as on industrial scale are U-shaped, well type, inclined, inverted, two liquids and multi-tube manometers [3]. The general classification of manometers is based on whether they have an open end or sealed end or have both the ends open [4].Holley et al. [5] showed that manometers are a passive form of instrument which can be left unattended to monitor fluid loads. Modern day use of these conventional and modified manometers involves a wide variety of applications for example; Webster [6] developed a less expensive, reliable and easily maintained tensiometer for determining the water in soil under growing plants. Patin [7] used manometers for frosting control. In some cases these can be used in less accessible places like nuclear industry.
Manometers made for commercial purpose are available in different shapes and ranges depending upon the nature of use; one of the commercial usages is McLeod manometer developed by Jansen et al. [8] for measurement of low gas pressures up to 5�� 10-5 mm Hg without changing the composition of the gas. In medical field, measurement of carotid artery back pressure is also done by manometer. This device can measure arterial pressures less than 60 torr [9]. Poiseuille [10] introduced mercury hydrodynometer for pressure measurement which than later developed for different pressure measuring processes.Much of the research work accounts for the use of pressure measuring devices and thus modern day use of these manometers involve different areas as Brunold and et al.
[11] used U-shaped manometers to study oscillatory flow in geometries that contained sharp edges. Another type of manometer named vapor pressure manometer have its edge in measuring water activity of saturated salt solutions as done by Lewicki [12]. Nielson et al. [13] incorporated combined use of manometers with tube�Ctransducer systems for coastal water level and wave measurements. Salcudean et al. [14] investigated the pressure drops due to flow obstructions in horizontal air-water systems. Axial pressure distributions along a 25.4 mm inside diameter tube, with and without flow obstructions were measured using multi-tube manometers. Obstructions Dacomitinib of various shapes and sizes were investigated to determine the kinetic energy and momentum of flow for different radial void distribution measurements.
Most of the manometers which are in use have inherent disadvantage in their design. If there is a sudden surge in the flow of fluid; the manometer fluid jumps out of manometer tubing and comes out in either the main fluid line whose pressure is been measured or in the container connected to the other end of the manometer. Some times mercury is used as sensing fluid and its spillage can cause hazardous problems.