Fluid Mechanics 2

Practical 1- Discharge through an Orifice

Lecturer: Mr. Van Wyk

Group: 34
Date performed: 14 April 2011
Date submitted: 29 April 2011

Group members:
Dildar A.

20900360

Gumpe S.

20904907

Naidoo D.

20920925

Neerputh K.

20902223

Sunder S.

20921378

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
4

page 3 and

2. Aim, Hypothesis and Apparatus

page 5

3. Method

page 6

4. Results and observations

7,8,9,10 and 11

page

5. Discussion and Conclusion

page 12

6. References

page 13

Introduction:
An orifice meter is a type if flow measurement and it consists of a flat orifice
plate. This orifice plate has a hole in the middle where fluid flows through. As
the fluid flows through the opening in the middle of the orifice plate, there is
a change in the velocity and pressure of the fluid.
The vena contracta is created as the fluid flows through the hole and it is the
narrowest point of the flow of fluid. After the fluid flows past the vena
contracta point, the fluid begins to expand and the velocity and pressure of
the fluid changes again. The vena contracta produces losses in the orifice.
Coefficients of contraction, velocity, and discharge (flow rate) are equations
used to express the losses induced in the orifice.

Coefficient of contraction:
Cc=

Avc
Ao

Where:
Cc= coefficient of contraction (no units).
(

Avc=

Dv c 2
) area of the vena contracta (m).
4

D o2
Ao= (
) area of the orifice (m).
4

Coefficient of velocity:
Cv=

Va
Vt

Where:
Cv= coefficient of velocity (no units).
3

Va= (2gH) actual velocity of the fluid (m/s).

Vt= (2gHc) theoretical velocity of the fluid (m/s).

Coefficient of discharge (flow rate):

Cd=

Qa
Qt

Where:
Cd= coefficient of discharge (flow rate).

Qa=

time

Vol actual flow rate of the fluid (m/s).

Qt=(Ao2gH) theoretical flow rate of the fluid (m/s).

Aim:
To determine the coefficient values of contraction, velocity and discharge
(flow rate) in an orifice and how the different values of heads affect these
coefficients.

Hypothesis:
It is expected that the velocity of the fluid will increase as the fluid passes
through the vena contracta because its area is smaller than the area of the
orifice. The pressure of the fluid is assumed to decrease after it passes
through the vena contracta point. The actual velocity and flow rate of the
fluid will be less than the theoretical values for the velocity and flow rate of
the fluid.

Apparatus:
An orifice meter attached to a tank containing water.
A hydraulic bench.
A pitot tube.
Orifice plate with a circular opening in the middle which has a diameter
of 12.7mm.
A piezometer to measure the head values of water in the tank (inches).
A calliper to measure the diameter of the fluid flowing from the vena
contracta point.
A mass of 15 lbs (pounds) attached to the tank containing water.
A stopwatch to record the time taken.
5

Method:
The tank was allowed to be filled with water so that the level of water
in the tank is kept constant as the overflow pipe was taken into
consideration.
The height of water in the tank (H) was recorded using the left-hand
scale of the piezometer (inches).
The diameter of the water flowing through the vena contracta point
was measures using a calliper.
The pitot tube was rotated into the flow of water and the height (Hc) of
the water was measured using the right-hand scale of the piezometer.
The pitot tube was then rotated back out after the reading was taken.
The valve on the tank was closed and the timer was started on the
stopwatch. The tank on the lever dropped as the mass of water
exceeded the 15 lbs (pounds) of weight. As the weight started to rise,
the timing was stopped.
The valve for the flow of water into the tank was closed and the flow of
water was adjusted so that the inflow and outflow of water was
equivalent. The height of the water (H) was recorded using the left
hand scale of the piezometer and will be kept constant.
This entire procedure was repeated five times.

Results and observations:

Diamet
er of
vena
contrac
ta
10.5m
m

11mm

10mm

10mm

10mm

Numb
er of
readin
gs

H
15.4inchesx25.4=391.
16mm
13.5inchesx25.4=342.
9mm
12.6inchesx25.4=320.
04mm
10inchesx25.4=254m
m
5.5inchesx25.4=139.7
mm

Hc

t (s)

15.2inchesx25.4=386.08mm

37.3

13.4inchesx25.4=340.36mm

43.16

12inchesx25.4=304.8mm

46.41

9.8inchesx25.4=248.92mm

49.8

5.5inchesx25.4=139.7mm

Volume conversion:
15lbs0.4535923=6.804kg
6.804kg1000=6.804x10-3m

1St reading:
Coefficient of contraction:
velocity:
Cc=

Coefficient of

Avc
Ao

Cv=

Va
Vt

70

Cc= [ (0.0105)/4]/ [ (0.0127)/4]

Cv=(2x9.81x0.38608)/
Cc= 0.684
(2x9.81x0.39116)
Cv= 0.993
Coefficient of discharge:
Cd=

Qa
Qt

Cd= [6.804X10-3/37.3] /{[(0.0127)/4] (2x9.81x0.39116)}

Cd= 0.52

2nd reading:
Coefficient of contraction:
Cc=

Coefficient of velocity:

Avc
Ao

Va
Cv= Vt

Cc=

[(0.011)/4]/[(0.0127)/4]
Cv=(2x9.81x0.34036)
/
(2x9.81x0.3429)

Cc= 0.75

Cv= 0.996

Coefficient of discharge:
Cd=

Qa
Qt

Cd= [6.804x10-3/43.16]/ { [ (0.0127)/4] (2x9.81x0.3429) }

Cd=0.48
8

3rd reading:
Coefficient of contraction:
Cc=

Coefficient of velocity:

Avc
Ao

Cv=

Va
Vt

Cc= [(0.01)/4]/[(0.0127)/4]

Cv=(2x9.81x0.3048)/
(2x9.81x0.32004)

Cc= 0.62

Cv= 0.976

Coefficient of discharge:
Cd=

Qa
Qt

Cd= [6.804x10-3/46.41]/{ [(0.0127)/4](2x9.81x0.32004) }

Cd= 0.462

4th reading:
Coefficient of contraction:
Cc=

Coefficient of velocity:

Avc
Ao

Cv=

Cc=

Va
Vt

[(0.01)/4]/[(0.0127)/4]
Cv=(2x9.81x0.24892)
/ (2x9.81x0.254)

Cc= 0.62

Cv= 0.99

Coefficient of discharge:

Cd=

Qa
Qt

Cd= [6.804x10-3/49.8]/{[(0.0127)/4](2x9.81x0.254) }
Cd= 0.483

5th reading:
Coefficient of contraction:
Cc=

Coefficient of velocity:

Avc
Ao

Cv=

Va
Vt

Cc= [(0.01)/4]/[(0.0127)/4]

Cv=(2x9.81x0.1397)/
(2x9.81x0.1397)

Cc= 0.62

Cv= 1

Coefficient of discharge:
Cd=

Qa
Qt

Cd= [6.804x10-3/70]/{[(0.0127)/4](2x9.81x0.1397) }
Cd= 0.463

Numb
er of
readin
gs
1
2

H(m)
0.3911
6
0.3429

H
(m)
0.625
0.586

Qt= Ao2gH
(m/s)
0.000351
0.000329
10

3
4
5

0.3200
4
0.254
0.1397

0.566
0.504
0.374

0.000317
0.000283
0.00021

Line graph showing H versus Qt and H versus Qt:

0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0

Numb
er of
readin
gs
H(m)
0.391
1
16

H(m)
H (m)

Vt= 2gH
(m/s)
2.77
11

2
3
4
5

0.342
9
0.320
04
0.254
0.139
7

2.594
2.506
2.232
1.656

Line graph showing H versus V

0.45
0.4
0.35
0.3
0.25
H(m)

0.2
0.15
0.1
0.05
0
1.6

1.8

2.2

2.4

2.6

2.8

Discussion:
12

The results obtained in this practical investigation indicate that the vena
contracta produced losses in the orifice. These losses induced, were
expressed through the coefficients of contraction, velocity and discharge
(flow rate). The height of water decreased after each reading was taken
which means that the velocity and pressure also decreased.
The area of the vena contracta affected the coefficient of contraction; as
the area reduced, the value of the coefficient of contraction decreased.
Actual velocity affected the coefficient of velocity; as the actual head
value decreased after each reading, the coefficient of velocity value
decreased as well. Actual flow rate affected the coefficient of discharge;
as time increased after each reading, the actual flow rate together with
the coefficient of discharge decreased.
The line graph illustrating the head value (H) and the square root of the
head value versus the theoretical flow rate (Qt) shows as the head
values decreased after each reading was taken, the theoretical flow rate
decreased as well. The decreasing lines on the graph show this
relationship. Errors encountered during this experiment affected the
slope of the graph and should have been straight decreasing lines.
The line graph illustrating the head value (H) versus the theoretical
velocity of the fluid (Vt) shows that as the head values decreased after
each reading was taken, the theoretical velocity decreased as well. This
relationship is indicated on the decreasing slope of the line. Errors
encountered during this experiment affected the slope of the graph and
should have been a straight decreasing line.
Errors encountered in this practical investigation include the following:
timing taken could have been inaccurate, readings were not taken at eye
level, the diameter of the vena contracta could have been measured
incorrectly using the calliper and external forces surrounding this
experiment could have affected the readings recorded. These errors are
evident in the equations to calculate the coefficient of discharge
(Cd=Qa/Qt) and (Cd=CcxCv) which should have been identical but are
different.
The most common function of an orifice meter is to measure the flow of
fluid in piping systems. It is used to increase the pressure of fluid in the
pipe, decrease its flow rate and increase the velocity of the fluid through
the system. Accuracy is reduced due to low flow rates in the piping
systems and the wear of the orifice plates. An orifice meter can also be
used in natural environments to control the flow of water in flood-relief
dams.
Conclusion:

13

The hypothesis of this investigation is proved correct and concludes that

losses occurred in the orifice due to the vena contracta. The coefficients
of contraction, velocity and discharge calculated, indicated that these
losses exist. Reduction in the head values of the fluid result in smaller
coefficients of contraction, velocity and discharge.
References:

Meyer C.F. Principles of Fluid Mechanics. 1995. Pretoria: CFM

Publications
Orifice plate- Wikipedia. 2011. http://www.en.wikipedia.org.
(Accessed 21/04/2011).

14