Department of Chemical Engineering

School of Engineering and Architecture

Saint Louis University

LABORATORY REPORT EVALUATION SHEET

Laboratory Course: CHE 425 Schedule: 7:30 – 10:30 Daily

Experiment Number: 5
Experiment Title: CALIBRATION OF A VENTURI METER
Group Number: 4 Date Performed: 03 July 2017
Group Members: Feria, Gabriel V. Date Submitted: 17 July 2017
Ariaga, Nichelle Anne A.
Caw-is, Imee Mejia, Gladice Ann
Estillore, Hazel Diane L. Tabangin, Krystine Ayra C.
Legaspi, Marry Angelique M.
CONTENTS TOTAL REMARKS SCORE
POINTS
I. Abstract 10
II. Chapter 1: Introduction 15
III. Chapter 2: Design and Methodology 10
IV. Chapter 3: Results and Discussion 20
V. Chapter 4: Conclusion and 10
Recommendation
VI. References 5
VII. Appendices 15
a. List and Uses of Apparatus
b. Definition of Terms
c. Computations
d. Problems
VIII. Table of Contents / List of Tables / 5
List of Figures
IX. Format and Neatness 10
TOTAL POINTS: 100 SCORE: ______

Evaluated by: Engr. Ray Limuel C. Laureano Date: _____________

 CALIBRATION OF A VENTURI METER

An Experimental Study Presented to the

Faculty of the Department of Chemical Engineering
School of Engineering and Architecture
Saint Louis University

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree

Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering

By
Feria, Gabriel V.

July 2017

2
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We are grateful to our dear instructor, Engineer Ray Limuel C. Laureano, who has guided us

throughout the experiment.

We are also grateful to our laboratory technicians, who have provided us all the apparatus that

we used in the experiment.

We are also grateful to our classmates for the support and assistance.

And finally, for a great teamwork of the group, good job!

3
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

TITLE PAGE 2

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 3

TABLE OF CONTENTS 4

LIST OF TABLES 5

LIST OF FIGURES 6

ABSTRACT 7

Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION 8

Chapter 2: DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY 10

Chapter 3: RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 12

Chapter 4: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION 14

REFERENCES 15

APPENDICES 16

4
 LIST OF TABLES

Table 3.1. Data for Orifice Meter 12

5
 LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 2.1. Fluid Flow Apparatus 12

Figure 3.1. Flow Rate VS Head loss for Venturi Metre 13

6
 ABSTRACT

One of the significant issues in the chemical process industries is controlling the flow in piping

system. In order to control the flow of a pipe, flow must be measured. This experiment

introduces measurement of flow by using Venturi meter. Venturi meters are flow measurement

instruments which use a converging section of pipe to give an increase in the flow velocity and a

corresponding pressure drop from which the flowrate can be deduced. They have been in

common use for many years, especially in the water supply industry. Based from the experiment,

the velocity increases while flow rate increases. The head loss is increasing when the flow rate

increases. The venturi constants vary from one another depending on the flow rate. With an

approximate percentage difference of 19%, the highest venture constant was 0.7478 and the

lowest being 0.7253.

Keywords: Venturi Meter, Venturi Constant, Flow Rate, and Head Loss.

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 CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

In fluid dynamics, an incompressible fluid's velocity must increase as it passes through a

constriction in accord with the principle of mass continuity, while its static pressure must

decrease in accord with the principle of conservation of mechanical energy. Thus any gain in

kinetic energy a fluid may accrue due to its increased velocity through a constriction is balanced

by a drop in pressure.By measuring the change in pressure, the flow rate can be determined, as in

various flow measurement devices such as venturi meters, venturi nozzles and orifice plates.

Venturi meters are flow measurement instruments which use a converging section of pipe

to give an increase in the flow velocity and a corresponding pressure drop from which the

flowrate can be deduced. They have been in common use for many years, especially in the water

supply industry.

A “venturi meter” is a device for determining fluid velocities based on the pressure differ

ence between two closely-spaced locations in a pipe, between which the cross-section of the pipe

decreases smoothly. For sufficiently high Reynolds number, Re (a composite parameter that refle

cts a combination of factors: Re=vdρ/μ), the pressure difference across the venturi meter is propo

rtional to the square of the flow rate. Equivalently, the flow rate is expected to be proportional to

the square root of the pressure difference.

The Venturi tube is a device used for measuring the rate of flow along a pipe. A fluid

moving through it accelerates in the direction of the tapering contraction with an increase in the

velocity in the throat. This is accompanied by a fall in pressure, the magnitude of which depends

on the rate of flow. The flow rate may therefore be inferred from the difference in pressure in as

8
measured by piezometers placed upstream at the throat. The effect that the meter has on the

pressure change is termed as the Venturi effect. A venturi can also be used to mix a liquid with a

gas. If a pump forces the liquid through a tube connected to a system consisting of a venturi to

increase the liquid speed (the diameter decreases), a short piece of tube with a small hole in it,

and last a venturi that decreases speed (so the pipe gets wider again), the gas will be sucked in

through the small hole because of changes in pressure. At the end of the system, a mixture of

liquid and gas will appear.

The purpose of this experiment is to calibrate the venturi meter. This experimental study

also aims to determine the head losses through a venturi meter. And to plot the calibration curves

for the meter on a rectangular coordinate paper in terms of pressure drop vs. flow rate. The

significance of this experiment is to reproduce the classical experiment conducted by Venturi

Meter concerning fluid flow conditions.

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 CHAPTER 2

DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY

Experimental procedure:

In this experiment, the group needed the assistance of the Laboratory Technician as well as the

Supervising Instructor. First, the group with the assistance of the technician selected the pipe run

containing the venturi meter by closing the isolating valves for all other horizontal pipe runs.

Then, the group studied the design and construction of the apparatus to become thoroughly

familiar with the method of operation. Afterwards, the group measured the distance between the

piezometer stations, inside diameters of the venturi meter (specially the throat). This step was

followed by measuring the zero heights of water in the piezometer tubes with the system

completely filled with water but no water flowing. Next was to check that the isolating valve on

the selected pipe run is fully open. Then, the group closed the control valve above the pump and

started the pump and carefully opened the control valve until all the air was displaced from the

pipeline. The group then closed the control valve and re-zeroed the mercury manometer. The

next thing the group did was to operate the control valves to give successively higher flow rates.

The flowrate started from 160 gph to 560 the limits of the venturi piezometer tubes. And then,

the group measured the temperature of the water several times during the experiment. From the

data obtained, the group calculated for each rate of flow, the head loss, across the venturi meter.

After the computation, the group plotted the calibration curves for the meter on a rectangular

coordinate paper in terms of pressure drop vs. flow rate. Then, the group calculated the value of

the venturi constant. Finally, the group compared the experimentally determined venturi constant

with the generally accepted value.

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Experimental Set-up

Drawn by: Gabriel V. Feria

Figure 2.1. Fluid Flow Apparatus

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 CHAPTER 3

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The purpose of this experiment is to calibrate the venturi meter. This experimental study

also aims to determine the head losses through a venturi meter. And to plot the calibration curves

for the meter on a rectangular coordinate paper in terms of pressure drop vs. flow rate.

Table 3.1. Data for Venturi Meter

Flow rate (gph) Rm (mm Hg) Head Loss, Pa Venturi constant

160 4 494.5319 0.7401
260 11 1359.9627 0.7253
360 21 2596.2925 0.7268
460 34 4203.5211 0.7298
560 48 5934.3828 0.7478

Head Loss VS Flow Rate

7000

6000

5000

4000

3000

2000

1000

0
0 100 200 300 400 500 600

Figure 3.1. Flow Rate VS Head loss for a Venturi Meter

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 Based on the data gathered, it was observed that as the manometer reading increases the

head loss also increases. Analyzing the venture constant however shows a deviation from its

theoretical value of 0.98. With an approximate percentage difference of 19%, the highest venture

constant was 0.7478 and the lowest being 0.7253. This shows that an inaccuracy was done

during the experiment.

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 CHAPTER 4

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

The students conclude that in a venturi meter, flow rates are set in which the trend is

increasing. It has also the same trend for head loss. The flow rates affect the velocity which has

an increasing order. Analyzing the venturi constant however shows a deviation from its

theoretical value of 0.98. With an approximate percentage difference of 19%, the highest venture

constant was 0.7478 and the lowest being 0.7253

The students then recommend that the presence of bubbles seen inside pipes should be

removed or at least wait for it to be collided by liquids. It is believed that this causes big

difference on the data with respect to flow rate. A keen eye from the group is also needed for

accurate reading of manometer.

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REFERENCES

 PiriyaVadhanaa B V, “Venturi Metr”.Retrieved from

http://www.thermopedia.com/content/1241/. Retrieved on July 09, 2017.

 Wolfram Demonstrations Project , "The Venturi effect". Retrieved from

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venturi_effect/. Retrieved on July 09, 2017

 Herschel, Clemens. (1898). Measuring Water. Providence, RI:Builders Iron Foundry.

Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venturi_effect/. Retrieved on July 09, 2017

Dunlap,

 David W (December 7, 2006). "At New Trade Center, Seeking Lively (but Secure)

Streets". The New York Times. Retrieved from

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venturi_effect/. Retrieved on July 09, 2017

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 APPENDICES

APPENDIX A

Definition of Apparatus

Fluid flow apparatus- is an apparatus used to determine the relationship between Fanning

Friction Fa tor and the Reynolds number and was used to understand the behavior of fluid in a

straight pipe.

Mercury manometer - consist of a column of liquid in a tube whose ends are exposed to

different pressures. The column will rise or fall until its weight (a force applied due to gravity) is

in equilibrium with the pressure differential between the two ends of the tube (a force applied

due to fluid pressure). A very simple version is a U-shaped tube half-full of liquid, one side of

which is connected to the region of interest while the reference pressure (which might be the

atmospheric pressure or a vacuum) is applied to the other. The difference in liquid level

represents the applied pressure.

Thermometer - is a device that measures temperature or a temperature gradient. A thermometer

has two important elements: (1) a temperature sensor (e.g. the bulb of a mercury-in-glass

thermometer) in which some physical change occurs with temperature, and (2) some means of

converting this physical change into a numerical value (e.g. the visible scale that is marked on a

mercury-in-glass thermometer). Thermometers are widely used in industry to control and

regulate processes, in the study of weather, in medicine, and in scientific research.

Gate valves - are very common due to their simple design and ease of operation. The gate is

raised by a threaded stem to allow fluid flow. Gate valves are not recommended for throttling, or

16
restricting fluid flow by having the valve partially open.

Globe valves - are primarily used for throttling purposes. They are also ideal for situations in

which operation is frequent or tight shutoff is desired.

Venturi meters - are flow measurement instruments which use a converging section of pipe to

give an increase in the flow velocity and a corresponding pressure drop from which the flowrate

can be deduced. They have been in common use for many years, especially in the water supply

industry.

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 APPENDIX B

Definition of Terms

Head Loss - In any real moving fluid, energy is dissipated due to friction; turbulence dissipates

even more energy for high Reynolds number flows. This dissipation, called head loss, is divided

into two main categories, "major losses" associated with energy loss per length of pipe, and

"minor losses" associated with bends, fittings, valves, etc.

Flow Rates - is the volume of fluid which passes per unit time; usually represented by the

symbol Q (sometimes V̇). The SI unit is m3/s (cubic metres per second). Another unit used is

sccm (standard cubic centimeters per minute).

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 APPENDIX C

Computations
Computation

𝑘𝑔
Density of mercury: 𝜌 = 13533.1248 𝑚3

𝑘𝑔
From handbook (Table 2-305) Water at 𝑇 = 24℃: 𝜌 = 997. 2503 𝑚3

𝜇 = 919.4356𝑃𝑎. 𝑠

𝑄 𝜋𝐷 2
VELOCITY: 𝑣 = 𝐴 ; 𝐴= ; 𝐷 = 16.92 𝑚
4

𝑔𝑎𝑙 3.7853 𝐿 1 𝑚3 1 ℎ𝑟
160 ( )(1000 𝐿)(3600 𝑠)
ℎ𝑟 1 𝑔𝑎𝑙
𝑣1 = = 0.7482 𝑚/𝑠
16.92
𝜋(10000)2
4

𝑔𝑎𝑙 3.7853 𝐿 1 𝑚3 1 ℎ𝑟
260 ( )( )( )
ℎ𝑟 1 𝑔𝑎𝑙 1000 𝐿 3600 𝑠
𝑣2 = = 1.2159 𝑚/𝑠
16.92 2
𝜋(10000)
4

𝑔𝑎𝑙 3.7853 𝐿 1 𝑚3 1 ℎ𝑟
360 ( )(1000 𝐿 )(3600 𝑠)
ℎ𝑟 1 𝑔𝑎𝑙
𝑣3 = = 1.6835 𝑚/𝑠
16.92 2
𝜋(10000)
4

𝑔𝑎𝑙 3.7853 𝐿 1 𝑚3 1 ℎ𝑟
460 ( )(1000 𝐿)(3600 𝑠)
ℎ𝑟 1 𝑔𝑎𝑙
𝑣4 = = 2.1511 𝑚/𝑠
16.92
𝜋(10000)2
4

𝑔𝑎𝑙 3.7853 𝐿 1 𝑚3 1 ℎ𝑟
560 ( )(1000 𝐿 )(3600 𝑠)
ℎ𝑟 1 𝑔𝑎𝑙
𝑣5 = = 2.6189 𝑚/𝑠
16.92
𝜋(10000)2
4

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 𝜌𝑣𝐷
REYNOLDS NUMBER: 𝑅𝑒 = 𝜇

997. 2503(40.79/1000)(0.2732)
𝑅𝑒1 = = 33102.0027
(919.4356𝑥 10−6 )

997. 2503(40.79/1000)(0.4440)
𝑅𝑒2 = = 53794.0725
(919.4356𝑥 10−6 )

997. 2503(40.79/1000)(0.6147)
𝑅𝑒3 = = 74481.7181
(919.4356𝑥 10−6 )

997. 2503(40.79/1000)(0.7855)
𝑅𝑒4 = = 95169.3638
(919.4356𝑥 10−6 )

997. 2503(40.79/1000)(0.9563)
𝑅𝑒5 = = 115865.8578
(919.4356𝑥 10−6 )
𝑔
HEAD LOSS: ∆𝑃 = 𝑔 (𝜌𝐻𝑔 − 𝜌𝐻2 𝑂 )
𝑐

At 160 gph:

9.81
∆𝑃 = (13600 − 997. 2503)(4/1000) = 494.5319 Pa
1

At 260 gph:

9.81
∆𝑃 = (13600 − 997. 2503)(11/1000) = 1359.9627 Pa
1

At 360 gph:

9.81
∆𝑃 = (13600 − 997. 2503)(21/1000) = 2596.2925 Pa
1

At 460 gph:

9.81
∆𝑃 = (13600 − 997. 2503)(34/1000) = 4203.5211 Pa
1

At 560 gph:

9.81
𝑃 = (13600 − 997. 2503)(48/1000) = 5934.3828 Pa
1

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 𝐶𝑣 2𝑔𝑐(𝑃1−𝑃2)
VENTURI CONSTANT:𝑣 = √
𝐷2 𝜌
√1.( )^4
𝐷1

Where D2 /D1=16.92/ 40.79 = 0.4148

At 160 gph:

𝐶𝑣 2(1)(494.5390)
0.7482 = √ 𝐶𝑣 = 0.7401
√1 + (0.4148)^4 997. 2503

At 260 gph:

𝐶𝑣 2(1)(1359.9627)
1.2159 = √ 𝐶𝑣 = 0.7253
√1 + (0.4148)^4 997. 2503

At 360 gph:

𝐶𝑣 2(1)(2596.2925)
1.6835 = √ 𝐶𝑣 = 0.7268
√1 + (0.4148)4 997. 2503

At 460 gph:

𝐶𝑣 2(1)(4203.5211)
2.1511 = √ 𝐶𝑣 = 0.7298
√1 + (0.4148)4 997. 2503

At 560 gph:

𝐶𝑣 2(1)(5934.3828)
2.6189 = √ 𝐶𝑣 = 0.7478
√1 + (0.4148)^4 997. 2503

21