Pressure Pulsation Measurement

Pulsation is inherent in all reciprocating equipment such as compressors and pumps, screw compressors, and any other type of equipment used to move gas or liquid.  Field testing, using piezoelectric pressure transducers, and sometimes strain gages in high pressure systems, is used to determine the pulsation characteristics and identify whether it is the driving force of a vibration problem.

Since Pressure x Area = Force, pressure pulsation causes a dynamic force which causes vibration of the piping or fluid containg structure.  In reciprocating machinery, pulsation induced forces act on the pulsation bottles and cylinders which can cause excessive vibration.