Pressure is defined as force per unit area, and usually means the force exerted by a fluid, such as air or water on a uniform surface. As such, it is always positive, but the term "negative pressure" is often used in physics and engineering to refer to a situation in which an enclosed volume has lower pressure than its surroundings. Any compromise in the divide between this area and the more highly pressurized area around it would cause substances to flow inwards. It is useful for a number of applications, including the prevention of oil spills, quarantine of highly contagious patients, and in the household vacuum cleaner.
Pipelines
Fluids, such as oil, commonly flow through sections of pipeline where the pressure is below that of the surroundings; usually this is an intentional choice. For example, undersea pipelines used for oil and other materials are kept in a state of negative pressure so that if they rupture, seawater will flood the pipe. If the pipes were positively pressurized, their contents would explode into the ocean, potentially creating a hazardous spill. Negative pressure can also be dangerous, as is the case when municipal waterlines lose pressure, potentially sucking contaminated groundwater up into the water supply if there are any cracks in the pipe. In pipes, pressure is carefully monitored with the use of gauges, and is controlled with valves.
Medical, laboratory and Industrial Uses
In quarantine situations, a room with negative pressure will suck air into it when doors or windows are opened. This prevents microorganisms and contaminated material from escaping through opened doors and windows, and makes it safer for medical personnel to care for the patient. Most research labs have rooms of this type for studying dangerous diseases, preceded by a series of checkpoints to ensure that only authorized individuals enter the room. Negative pressure pipelines and vent hoods are also used in laboratory situations, to vent dangerous gases and fumes away from scientists.
The opposite principal, maintaining an area of higher pressure than the surroundings, is also used to help control environments. Many manufacturing facilities, for example, use positively pressurized "clean rooms" for handling delicate materials such as computer chips. It is essential that these do not pick up dust particles, and the positive pressure ensures that air flows out of the area, rather than dust-laden air flowing in, when a door is opened.
Wound Therapy
Negative pressure wound therapy is a fairly new technique, aimed at speeding up the healing of serious wounds, that has been used for post-operative care, burns, and chronic wounds. A sealed dressing is applied to the wound then a vacuum pump is attached, in order to reduce the pressure around the wound to below one atmosphere. This sucks out fluid, and possibly infected material, from the area, and increases blood flow. It is reported to be quite effective, but, it seems, is not without risks. There have been a number of reports of adverse effects, including fatalities, usually resulting from loss of blood or infection.
Vacuum Cleaners
Many people use a negative pressure device on a fairly frequent basis, when they use a vacuum cleaner. When a vacuum is switched on, an area of negative pressure is formed in the bag or canister, which sucks air in as it tries to even things out. Along with the air, the vacuum picks up particulate matter, leaving the floors cleaner. The basic vacuum principle is also used in a great deal of electronics and industrial applications.
By Mary McMahon
Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a All The Science researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.