Comparative Flow Measurement

Objective:
1. Determination of the discharge coefficient (Cd) of an orifice meter and a venturi meter at
different Reynolds numbers (Re).
2. Comparison of pressure drops across the orifice meter and the venturi meter.
3. To construct a calibration curve for the rotameter.

Introduction:

Flow measurement is an important topic in the study of fluid dynamics. It must be made
in chemical plants, refineries, power plants, and any other place where the quality of the
product or performance of the plant depends on having a precise flow rate. Flow
measurements also enter into our everyday lives in the metering of water and natural gas
into our homes and gasoline into our cars.
There are many instruments used in flow measurements. In this experiment, we are going
to use the following devices:
1) Venturi.
2) Orifice plate.
3) Rotameter.

Equipment:

Figure (1): Flow Measurement Methods equipment.

Description of the unit

Figure (2): Flow Measurement Methods apparatus.

Pos. Designation Pos. Designation

1 Water outlet 6 Multi-tube manometer

2 Gate valve for inlet 7 Water inlet

8 Flow meter with orifice plate, meas-

3 Rotameter
uring nozzle, or Pitot tube

4 Pressure measurement connections 9 Venturi nozzle

5 Base plate with frame

.
Figure (3): Explanatory Diagram of the Flow Measurement Methods Apparatus.

Figures above show the Flow Measurement Methods apparatus, Water-from the Hydraulic Bench-
enters the equipment through a Venturi meter, which consists of a gradually converging section,
followed by a throat, and a long gradually diverging section. After a change in cross-section through
a rapidly diverging section, the flow continues along a settling length and through an orifice meter
from a plate with a hole of reduced diameter through which the fluid flows. The water then
continues around a bend and up through a rotameter-type flow meter.
Introduction to Flow Measuring Methods

Orifice Plate and Measuring Nozzle

The orifice and nozzle are what is known as the

restrictors. They both represent a constriction in a
tube. The reduction in cross section results in an
increase in the speed of the flowing medium. This
is associated with a pressure loss p between
the normal tube cross section AD before the inlet
and the constricted tube cross section Ad at the
orifice or nozzle. This pressure loss p is a meas-
p ure of the volumetric flow.
This type of measurement is extremely accurate,
but the orifice or nozzle have a comparatively high
flow resistance.
Restrictors are very sensitive to disturbances in
the inlet and outlet flow. Elbows, T-pieces, valves,
gate valves or similar fittings must therefore be
installed sufficiently far away from the restrictor.
venturi and Measuring Nozzle

The Venturi tube is also a throttle device. In this

case, the constriction of the tube cross section is
split into three different areas. The inlet corre-
sponds to a nozzle, followed by a straight section
and finally a diffusor with a defined extension
angle  .
The pressure loss p between the normal tube
p cross section AD before the inlet and the con-
stricted straight section Ad is significantly less
than with the orifice or nozzle.
Rotameter

This kind of rotameter consists of a vertical coni-

cal measuring section, through which the liquid
flows from bottom to top.
A specially shaped float moves freely in the liquid
flow and is carried along by the flow due to its flow
resistance. This results in equilibrium between the
weight of the float on the one hand and its drag
and lifting force on the other.
The float adjusts to a particular height in the
measuring tube depending on the flow volume.
Because of the operating principle, a reliable
measuring range on a rotameter never begins at
zero, but at ~5% ... 10% of the final measuring
value.
Different floats are normally used depending on
the medium and the measuring range.
• Standard measuring ranges:
~ 0,0001 ... 100m3/h
• Width of measuring range: ~ 1 : 10
• Standard measuring characteristics: linear
• Measuring accuracy: ~± 1 ... 3%
• Pressure loss over measuring tube:
~0,06 ... 0,6bar
 The rotameter used in the HM 150.13 has the fol-
lowing properties:
• Housing made of transparent plastic
• Removable float, stainless steel
• Removable percentage scale, relative to max.
flow rate

The measured flow rate value is always read at

the upper edge of the float.
rea d
he re

Float
Theory:
The venturi meter, the orifice plate meter and the Rotameter are all dependent upon Bernoulli’s
equation, for their principle of operation. Bernoulli’s equation is given by:

𝑃1 𝑢1 2 𝑃2 𝑢2 2
+ + 𝑧1 = + + 𝑧2 + ∆ℎ12 … … … (1)
𝜌. 𝑔 2. 𝑔 𝜌. 𝑔 2. 𝑔
Where (∆h12)is head loss due to friction and localized effects (area change or fitting) and u is the
velocity of water.
In order to obtain the total head loss due to fitting we therefore have to correct the measured head
loss for the change in velocity head also subtract the head loss due to friction:

𝑢1 2 − 𝑢2 2
∆𝐻 = (ℎ1 − ℎ2 ) + − ∆ℎ𝑓 … … … (2)
2. 𝑔

where∆ℎ12 = ∆𝐻 + ∆ℎ𝑓 … … … (3)

where (∆H) is the head loss due to fitting and (∆hf)is the head loss due to friction. If the length is
small, (∆hf) can be neglected. The head loss is usually expressed in terms of the loss coefficient
(K) defined as:
∆𝐻
𝑘= … … … (4)
𝑢2
( ⁄2𝑔)

where (u) is the velocity in the smaller pipe:

a. Venturi Meter:

Since(∆ℎ12) is negligibly small between the ends of a contracting duct application of

equation (1) between pressure tapping’s (A) and (B) gives:

𝑃𝐴 𝑢𝐴 2 𝑃𝐵 𝑢𝐵 2
+ = + … … … (5)
𝜌. 𝑔 2. 𝑔 𝜌. 𝑔 2. 𝑔
and since, by continuity:
𝑚̇𝐴 = 𝜌. 𝑢𝐴 . 𝐴𝐴 = 𝑚̇𝐵 = 𝜌. 𝑢𝐵 . 𝐴𝐵 … … … (6)
Sub (6) into (1) to get:
1
2𝑔 𝑃𝐴 𝑃𝐵 2
𝑢𝐵 = [ × ( − )] … … … (7)
(1 − (𝐴𝐵 /𝐴𝐴 )2 ) 𝜌. 𝑔 𝜌. 𝑔
 Now
𝑄𝑇ℎ = 𝐴𝐵 . 𝑢𝐵

1
2𝑔 𝑃𝐴 𝑃𝐵 2
𝑄𝑇ℎ = 𝐴𝐵 . [ × ( − )] … … … (8)
(1 − (𝐴𝐵 /𝐴𝐴 )2 ) 𝜌. 𝑔 𝜌. 𝑔
This is theoretical valve.
1
2
2𝑔
𝑄𝑎𝑐𝑡 = 𝐶𝑣 . 𝐴𝐵 . [ × (ℎ𝐴 − ℎ𝐵 )] … … … (9)
𝐴𝐵 2
(1 − (𝐴 ) )
𝐴

where (Qact) is the actual flow rate.

(Cv) may found from experiment.

b. Orifice Meter:

The head losses (∆ℎ12 ) in equation (1) is by no means negligible when applied between
(E) and (F). Rewrite the equation with the appropriate symbols.
𝑢𝐹 2 𝑢𝐸 2 𝑃𝐸 𝑃𝐹
− = − … … … (10)
2. 𝑔 2. 𝑔 𝜌. 𝑔 𝜌. 𝑔
Reducing equation (10) in exactly the same way as for venturi meter, the following
equation will be obtained:
1
2
2𝑔
𝑄𝑎𝑐𝑡 = 𝐶𝑑 . 𝐴𝐹 . [ × (ℎ𝐸 − ℎ𝐹 )] … … … (11)
𝐴𝐹 2
(1 − (𝐴 ) )
𝐸

where Cd is the coefficient of discharge.

Procedure:
1. Press the on/off switch on the hydraulic Bench to start the pump.

2. Close the ventilation valve (13) on the 6 tube manometer.

3. Open the ventilation valve (12) on the 6 tube manometer.
4. Start the water inlet (from the HM 150).
5. Close the gate valve (2).
6. Rinse the 6 tube manometer until no more bub- bles are visible.
7. Stop the water inlet (from the HM 150).
 8. Close the ventilation valve (12).
9. Open the ventilation valve (13) and adjust the water level in the tube manometer (centre
of scale).
10. Close the ventilation valve (13) again.
11. Carefully open the gate valve (2).

12. Carefully open the water inlet (from the HM 150 ).

13. Record the pressure head in all manometer.

14. In the hydraulic Bench measure the time required to fill water in the tank.

15. Change valve setting and repeat above steps.

Calculation:
1. Calculate (Cv), (Cd), (∆H), and k for each flow rate .
2. Calculate Reynolds number foe each flow rate.
3. Fill table (1)
4. Plot (Cv), (Cd), against Re for both the venture tube and the orifice plate.
 Comparative Flow Measurement Data Sheet
Atmospheric pressure: ……………………..

Atmospheric temperature: ………………….

Table (1): measured value

Experiment no.:

Date:
Participant:

Type of experiment:

Measuring object:
·
Flow display
No. Pressure loss V Measuring volu- Measuring time Calculated flow
p in mbar men HM 150 in L HM 150 in s from HM 150
in L/s