Can a differential pressure transmitter be converted to measure an absolute pressure?
Yes, it can be modified by evacuating the negative side pressure port and sealing the vacuum inside, although before attempting this the manufacturer should be consulted first to ascertain whether it is ok to apply a high vacuum to the device. Some devices maybe affected by high vacuums, for example those with an oil filled capsule on the negative side may drift due to outgassing of the oil. Also the vacuum maybe spoiled over time due to the internal material surfaces outgass particularly at higher temperatures. The absolute reference should be checked regularly to ensure a stable reference.
