ABSTRACT
In Chapter 2, we discussed instrument systems that can produce a certain output when the measurand is acted upon. In this chapter we will learn how to collect the requisite measurement data in a proper manner and process it to garner appropriate understanding of the phenomena that occur during a process or to control the process. In other words, we will be discussing data acquisition and data handling in terms of how the integrity of data must be maintained properly as it is likely to become flawed due to the adaptation of improper procedures. The sampling of data must be carried out properly to circumvent the loss of signal that can lead to misinterpretation of actual phenomena during a process. The data can be acquired by a person or number of persons who can take readings from a single or number of instruments manually and record on the observation data sheet/notebook. For example, a combustion engineer can look at the
needle of a pressure gauge and read its value in order to recode it into a data log book for further analysis. In earlier days, this was the usual procedure of acquiring data. In modern times, experimental data is acquired electronically using analogto-digital converters that can collect large amounts of data at very high speeds as compared to manual modes. The objective of this chapter is to expose the readers to microprocessor-based data acquisition systems and data processing systems that can be used for measurement of not only combustion systems but other systems as well.
