Lecture 11: Practical applications of Bernoulli’s equation

Objective: To study the applications of the Bernoulli’s 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
1

x
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 Bernoulli’s equations at sections 1 and 2, we get

2 2
p1 w1 p2 w2
+ + z1 = + + z2 .
ρ g 2g ρ g 2g
As pipe is horizontal z1=z2
2 2
p − p2 v2 − v1
⇒ 1 =
ρg 2g
2 2
v − v1
⇒h= 2
2g
 p1 − p2
Where h≡ , difference of pressure heads at sections 1 and 2.
ρg
From the continuity equation at sections 1 and 2, we obtain
A2 v2
A1v1 = A2 v2 ⇒ v1 =
A1
v2  A12 − A22 
2
Hence h=  
2 g  A12 
A1
⇒ v2 = 2 gh
2 2
A −A
1 2
Discharge Q = A1v1 = A2 h
A1 A2
⇒Q= 2 gh
2 2
A −A
1 2

Note that the above expression is for ideal condition and is known as
theoretical discharge.
Actual discharge will be less than theoretical discharge.
A1 A2
Qactual = Cd 2 gh
2 2
A −A
1 2

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  Sh: Specific gravity of the heavier liquid.

h = x  − 1
 S0  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 −  SL: Specific gravity of the lighter liquid.
 S0  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.

2D D/2 Vena contracta

Orifice 2
1

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 Bernoulli’s equations at sections 1 and 2, we get

2 2
p1 v1 p2 v2
+ + z1 = + + z2
ρ g 2g ρ g 2g
 p1   p2  v2 2 − v12
⇒ + z1  −  + z2  =
 ρg   ρg  2g
2 2
v − v1
⇒h= 2
2g
⇒ v2 = 2 gh + v12

where h is the differential head.

Let A0 is the area of the orifice.
A2
Coefficient of contraction, Cc =
A0

By continuity equation, we have

A1v1 = A2v2
A0Cc
⇒ v1 = v2
A1

Hence, A02Cc2 v22

v2 = 2 gh +
A12
2 gh
⇒ v 2=
A02 2
1 − 2 Cc
A1
Thus, discharge,

A0Cc 2 gh
Q = A2 v2 = v2 A0Cc =
A02 2
1 − 2 Cc
A1

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

A02
1− 2
A1
Cd = Cc
A02 2
1 − 2 Cc
A1
A02 2
1 − 2 Cc
A1
⇒ Cc = Cd
A02
1− 2
A1
Hence,

A0 A1 2 gh
Q = Cd
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 h

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

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

Point 1 is far away from the tube
Applying Bernoulli’s equations at sections 1 and 2, we get
2 2
p1 v1 p v
+ + z1 = 2 + 2 + z2 But z1 = z2 , and v2 = 0.
ρ g 2g ρ g 2g
p1
= Pressure head at 1=H
ρg
p2
= Pressure head at 2=h+H
ρg
2
v
Substituting these values, we get H + 1 = h+H
2g
⇒ v1 = 2 gh

This is theoretical velocity. Actual velocity is given by

( v1 )act = Cv 2 gh

Cv ≡ coefficient of pitot-tube