Beyond only Temperature monitoring in barrels. Pressure?

[ChemMan]

All,

Have some ideas on potential ways to measure "pressure" inside the Barrel.. I'm thinking the "pressure" is moving small increments, but also note that we a bung is removed there is more vacuum/pressure present sometimes than I expect. Does anyone have experience measuring pressure?

I see most all technically strong companies are measuring barrel temperatures through our warehouse, seasons,etc. BUT.... Really the indicator we should potentially be measuring is how the liquid is working in and out of the wood, which means to me the pressure inside the barrel would be a much stronger indicator. I was also thinking about barrel to barrel, depending on how "Tight" it is this could start to tell us why two barrels of the same wood, char, toast next to each other can come out different. If they are next to each other, the temperature are close for sure, but are the pressures inside the barrel different from barrel to barrel? This is my question/thought/idea.

If pressure is not changing much, a small manometer or water column "vent" tied into the bung or small tapped hole would do the trick, and be easy to do. If we are building more than 2-3 psig...then the water column would need to be 10 feet...and more challenging. A simple pressure transmitter would be required.

Again wondering Ideas and experience everyone has around this topic.

Thanks

[still_stirrin]

I’ve never “measured cask pressure”, but I would expect it would be a couple of psi easy. It is not uncommon to hear a “pewww” when I open a jar, especially if it’s been stored in the furnace room. So there is some expiration and inspiration in a cask as the environment’s temperature varies.

If using a manometer, the difference could see as much as 4 to 5 feet (12” equals 0.433psi). It would be interesting to note the pressure cycles you experience to compliment the ambient conditions. But you’ll also need to document all the data including cask size, volume of fill, proof, etc., as the cycle progresses.

Let us know what you come up with.
ss