Lecture 11: Practical applications of Bernoullis equation

Objective: To study the applications of the Bernoullis equation

Venturimeter
Orifice meter
Pitot-tube

Venturimeter
Venturimeter: is a device used for measuring the rate of flow of a fluid
flowing through a pipe. It consists of three parts:
A short converging part
Throat
Diverging part
Throat

Inlet
2

Let d1 = diameter at the inlet (section 1)

p1 = pressure at section 1
v1 = velocity at section 1
A1= area at section1
d2, p2, v2, A2 are the corresponding values at the throat (section 2)
Applying Bernoullis equations at sections 1 and 2, we get
2

p1 w1
p2 w2
+
+ z1 =
+
+ z2 .
g 2g
g 2g
As pipe is horizontal z1=z2
2

p p2 v2 v1
1
=
g
2g
2

v v1
h= 2
2g

Where

p1 p2
h
, difference of pressure heads at sections 1 and 2.
g

From the continuity equation at sections 1 and 2, we obtain

A1v1 = A2 v2 v1 =
Hence

2
v2 A12 A22
h=

2 g A12

v2 =
Discharge

A2 v2
A1

A1
2
1

2
2

2 gh

A A

Q = A1v1 = A2 h

Q=

A1 A2
2
1

2
2

2 gh

A A

Note that the above expression is for ideal condition and is known as
theoretical discharge.

Actual discharge will be less than theoretical discharge.

Qactual = Cd

A1 A2
2
1

2
2

2 gh

A A

Cd is the coefficient of venturimeter and its value is always less then 1.

Expression of h given by differential U-tube manometer:
Case 1: The liquid in the manometer is
heavier than the liquid flowing through the pipe

Sh
h = x 1
S0

Sh: Specific gravity of the heavier liquid.

S0: Specific gravity of the flowing liquid.

Case 2: The liquid in the manometer is lighter

than the liquid flowing through the pipe

SL
h = x 1
S0

SL: Specific gravity of the lighter liquid.

X: difference of the liquid columns in U-tube

Orifice meter
Orifice meter: is a device used for measuring the rate of flow of a fluid flowing through a pipe.
It is a cheaper device as compared to venturimeter. This also work on the same principle as that of
venturimeter.
It consists of flat circular plate which has a circular hole, in concentric with the pipe. This is called
orifice.
The diameter of orifice is generally 0.5 times the diameter of the pipe (D), although it may vary from
0.4 to 0.8 times the pipe diameter.

D/2

2D

Orifice

Vena contracta
2

Direction
of flow

x
Differential manometer

Let d1 = diameter at section 1

p1 = pressure at section 1
v1 = velocity at section 1
A1= area at section1
d2, p2, v2, A2 are the corresponding values at section 2.
Applying Bernoullis equations at sections 1 and 2, we get
2

p1 v1
p2 v2
+
+ z1 =
+
+ z2
g 2g
g 2g
p1
p2
v2 2 v12

+ z1
+ z2 =
2g
g
g

v v1
h= 2
2g

v2 = 2 gh + v12
where h is the differential head.

Let A0 is the area of the orifice.

Coefficient of contraction, Cc =

A2
A0

By continuity equation, we have

A1v1 = A2v2
v1 =
Hence,

A0Cc
v2
A1

A02Cc2 v22
v2 = 2 gh +
A12
v 2=

2 gh
A02 2
1 2 Cc
A1

Thus, discharge,

Q = A2 v2 = v2 A0Cc =

A0Cc 2 gh
A02 2
1 2 Cc
A1

If Cd is the co-efficient of discharge for orifice meter, which is defined as

Cd = Cc

A02
1 2
A1
A02 2
1 2 Cc
A1

Cc = Cd

A02 2
1 2 Cc
A1
A02
1 2
A1

Hence,

Q = Cd

A0 A1 2 gh
A12 A02

The coefficient of discharge of the orifice meter is much

smaller than that of a venturimeter.

Pitot-tube
Orifice meter: is a device used for measuring the velocity of flow at any
point in a pipe or a channel.
Principle: If the velocity at any point decreases, the pressure at that point
increases due to the conservation of the kinetic energy into pressure energy.
In simplest form, the pitot tube consists of a glass tube, bent at right angles.

Let p1 = pressure at section 1

p2 = pressure at section 2
v1 = velocity at section 1
v2 = velocity at section 2 = 0
H = depth of tube in the liquid
h = rise of liquid in the tube
above the free surface

H
1

Point 2 is just at the inlet of the Pitot-tube

Point 1 is far away from the tube

Applying Bernoullis equations at sections 1 and 2, we get

2

p1 v1
p
v
+
+ z1 = 2 + 2 + z2
g 2g
g 2g
p1
= Pressure head at 1=H
g
p2
= Pressure head at 2=h+H
g
Substituting these values, we get

But

v
H + 1 = h+H
2g
v1 = 2 gh

This is theoretical velocity. Actual velocity is given by

( v1 )act = Cv

z1 = z2 , and v2 = 0.

2 gh

Cv coefficient of pitot-tube