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CHE241 - Lab Report Flowmeter Measuremen PDF
CHE241 - Lab Report Flowmeter Measuremen PDF
No Title Page
1 Abstract………………………………. 2
2 Introduction………………………….. 3
3 Objectives…………………………….. 4
4 Theory………………………………... 5 – 11
5 Material And Apparatus……………… 12 – 13
6 Methodology…………………………. 14 – 18
7 Data and Results……………………… 19 – 21
8 Calculations…………………………... 22 – 28
9 Discussion……………………………. 29 – 32
10 Conclusion……………………………. 33
11 Recommendations……………………. 34
12 Reference……………………………... 35
13 Appendix……………………………... 36
This apparatus will allow students to compare between different types of flow measurement
devices, namely by using a venturi device, orifice device and rotameter. The data obtained can be
further used to compare against measurement obtained from the hydraulics bench.
Other feature of the flow apparatus includes a 90 degree elbow with pressure tappings. This
feature allows students to calculate the total head loss and loss coefficient when fluid flows
through the 90 degrees elbow.
loss of fluid flow. Then, we need to learn how to plot graph of ΔH against . Last but not least,
Figure 1 Rotameter
The venturi meter consists of a venturi tube and a suitable differential pressure gauge. The
venturi tube has a converging portion, a throat and a diverging portion as shown in the figure
below. The function of the converging portion is to increase the velocity of the fluid and lower
its static pressure. A pressure difference between inlet and throat is thus developed, where
pressure difference is correlated with the rate of discharge. The diverging cone serves to change
the area of the stream back to the entrance area and convert velocity head into pressure head.
P1 V12 P2 V22
Z1 Z 2 ................................................................ (1)
2g 2g
V22 A2
2
P1 P2
Z1 Z 2 1 ...................................................... (2)
2 g A1
Ideal
1
A 2 2 1
P1 P2 2
Q A2V2 A2 1 2 2 g Z1 Z 2 ....................... (3)
A1
Hence,
1 1
A 2 2
P1 P2 2
q Cd At 1 t 2 g
A
Where,
Pressure connections for attaching separate pressure gauges are made at holes in the pipe
walls on both side of the orifice plate. The downstream pressure tap is placed at the minimum
pressure position, which is assumed to be at the vena contracta. The centre of the inlet pressure
tap is located between one-half and two pipe diameters from the upstream side of the orifice
plate, usually a distance of one pipe diameter is employed. Equation (4) for the venturi meter can
also be applied to the orifice meter where
1
A 2 2 1
P1 P2 2
Actual Q Cd A2 1 2 2 g ............................... (6)
A1
The coefficient of discharge, Cd in the case of the orifice meter will be different from that for
the case of a venturi meter.
1
At 2 2
q Cd At 1 2 g h7 h8 12
A
Where,
If the upstream and downstream lines of linear friction gradient are extrapolated to the plane
of fitting, a loss of piezometric head, h, due to the fitting is found. By introducing the velocity
heads in the upstream and downstream runs of pipe, total head loss, H can be determined in
which
V12 V22
H h ............................................................... (8)
2g 2g
Energy losses are proportional to the velocity head of the fluid as it flows around an elbow,
through an enlargement or contraction of the flow section, or through a valve. Experimental
values for energy losses are usually expressed in terms of a dimensionless loss coefficient K,
where
H H
K 2
or 2 .............................................................. (9)
V1 V2
2g 2g
L V2
Where ∆hf = 4 f ( )( )
D 2g
Δhf = friction head loss which would be incurred in fully developed flow along the
run of pipe between the piezometer tappings.
f = friction factor
L = distance between the piezometer, measured along the pipe center line
D = pipe diameter
V = average velocity of fluid flow in pipe
The friction head loss is estimated by choosing a suitable value of friction factor, f for fully
developed flow along a smooth pipe. The method used in this manual to determine the friction
factor is the Prandtl equation
1
4 log Re f 0.4 ................................................................. (11)
f
Typical values derived from this equation are tabulated in the table below:
In determination of the fraction factor, f, it is sufficient to establish the value of f at just one
typical flow rate, as about the middle of the range of measurement due to the fact that f varies
only slowly with Re, and the friction loss is generally fairly small in relation to the measured
value of ∆h’.
Figure below shows flow round a 90゜elbow which has a constant circular cross section.
The value of loss coefficient K is dependent on the ratio of the bend radius, R to the pipe inside
diameter D. As this ratio increase, the value of K will fall and vice versa.
Where,
K = Coefficient of losses
V = Velocity of flow
g = 9.81 m/s2
Apparatus
1) Flowmeter Measurement Apparatus (Model: FM 101)
1
6
4 7
9 8
Once all bubbles have been “bleed”, start to reduce the water supply by manipulating BOTH
control valves, the flow apparatus discharge valve were reducing and then the hydraulic bench
valve in alternate motion, bringing down the DATUM level of the water in the manometer board.
(k) With above guide, the water level of each probe at a certain flow was recorded. With
the height difference, formulas provided were used to calculate. The results obtained
against rotameter and hydraulic bench was verified for experiment of flow
measurement comparison.
Procedures:
1) The apparatus was placed on bench, inlet pipe were connected to bench supply and outlet
pipe into volumetric tank.
2) As the bench valve fully closed and as the discharge valve fully opened, start up the
pump supply from hydraulic bench.
3) The bench valve, were slowly opened until it was fully opened.
4) After the flows in the pipe were steady and there are certainly no trapped bubble, the
bench valve started to close to reduce the flow to the maximum measurable flow rate.
5) The water level in the manometer board was adjusted, by using the air bleed screw. The
maximum readings on manometers with the maximum measurable flow rate were
recorded.
6) The readings on manometers (A - J), rotameter and measured flow rate were recorded.
7) Step 6 is repeated for different flow rates. The flow rates were adjusted by utilizing both
bench valve and discharge valve.
8) To demonstrate similar flow rates at different system static pressures, bench and flow
control valve were adjusted together. Manometer levels were adjusted as required.
Procedures:
1) The apparatus was placed on bench, inlet pipe were connected to bench supply and outlet
pipe into volumetric tank.
2) As the bench valve fully closed and as the discharge valve fully opened, start up the
pump supply from hydraulic bench.
3) The bench valve, were slowly opened until it was fully opened.
4) After the flows in the pipe were steady and there are certainly no trapped bubble, the
bench valve started to close to reduce the flow to the maximum measurable flow rate.
5) The water level in the manometer board was adjusted, by using the air bleed screw. The
maximum readings on manometers with the maximum measurable flow rate were
recorded.
6) The readings on manometers (I and J) were recorded and the flow rate were calculated.
7) Steps 6 were repeated for different flow rates. The flow rates were adjusted by utilizing
both bench valve and discharge valve.
8) The tables of data were completed.
9) The graph of H against VS2 / 2g for 90 degree elbow were plotted to determine the
coefficient of losses.
1) The water supply valve and venturi discharge valve was closed.
3) The water from the unit were drain off after the experiment was finished.
Venturi Meter
Orifice Meter
Rotameter
20
15
Qactual
Qventuri
10
Qorifice
Qrotameter
5
0
4 8 12 16 20
Qrotameter (L/min)
The graph shows the comparison of the flow rates between the flowmeters. From
experiment 1 up to experiment 5, the graph shows that, the greater the flow rates of rotameter,
the greater the flow rates of venturi and orifice rotameter. However , since the coefficient of
discharged for orifice meter (0.63) is smaller than the venture meter (0.98) , the graph shows that
venturi meters shows that its flow rates calculated using Bernoulli’s equation is nearer to the
actual value of flow rates.
16
14
12 y = 0.8931x + 4.6179
R² = 0.829
10
8
6
4
2
0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18
V2/2g x 10-6 (mm)
The graph shows that the differential pizometer head is increasing as the increasing.
Therefore, is increasing linearly with the . From the graph, we obtained can obtained the
coefficient of losses which is the slope of the graph.
Experiment Calculations
1
( )
2
( )
3
( )
4
( )
5
( )
Where,
*Since the area of the cross section is the same throughout the experiment, therefore the area of
the cross section for experiment 1 up to experiment 4 is the same.
Water Head A
* ( ) + [ ( )]
* ( ) + [ ]
Where,
( )
( )
Calculations
Experiment 1
[ ( ) ] [ ]
Experiment 2
[ ( ) ] [ ]
Experiment 3
[ ( ) ] [ ]
Experiment 4
[ ( ) ] [ ]
Experiment 5
[ ( ) ] [ ]
* ( ) + [ ( )]
* ( ) + [ ]
Where,
( )
( )
Calculations
Experiment 1
[ ( ) ] [ ]
Experiment 2
[ ( ) ] [ ]
Experiment 3
[ ( ) ] [ ]
Experiment 4
[ ( ) ] [ ]
Experiment 5
[ ( ) ] [ ]
Experiment Calculations
1
( )( )
2
( )( )
3
( )( )
4
( )( )
5
( )( )
Convert the flow rates , Qt obtained for Orifice Meter from Qt (m3/s) to Qt (L/min)
Experiment Calculations
1
( )( )
2
( )( )
3
( )( )
4
( )( )
5
( )( )
Experiment Calculations
1
Experiment Calculations
1
m
2
20
15
Qactual
Qventuri
10
Qorifice
Qrotameter
5
0
4 8 12 16 20
Qrotameter (L/min)
The graph shows that all the flow rates of the flowmeters increases as the flow rates of
rotameter increases. Although we set the flow rates of the rotameter to be the parameter of the
experiment, however the actual flow rates that we gain deviates from the rotameter flow rates.
Besides, the flow rates for venturi meter and orifice meter also deviate from the actual flow rates.
This could be happening due to the friction and the no-slip condition as water flows through each
of the flowmeters.
However, orifice meter has the simplest design and it occupies minimal space. The
sudden change in the flow area in the orifice meters causes considerable swirl and as
the velocity of the flow increases, the vena contracta decreases.The smaller the vena contracta
gets the greater the pressure difference, and thus the higher the energy loss and thus significant
head loss. In general, orifice meter have the highest minor loss coefficient, while venturi meter
have the lowest.
When looking for a flowmeter to use for a certain device, a rotameter should only be used
if a large drop in pressure is acceptable, as the energy loss for the rotameter was much higher
than the Venturi and orifice. A Venturi Flowmeter should be used if a large change in pressure
will damage the pipes. However, this flow meter is that it is large, difficult and expensive to
manufacture. Also, because of its large area, it is difficult to install in our pipeline. In contrast,
orifice meter is very inexpensive for it is just a flat plate and a thin orifice plate. It is also very
easy to install in the pipeline very inexpensive for it is just a flat plate and a thin orifice plate. It
is also very easy to install in the pipeline
Why are the constants different? The answer is that the discharge coefficient for a given
valve is smaller for a liquid than it is for a gas due to the expansion of the gas as it passes
through the valve.
Over the course of history, the scientific and engineering study involving fluid flow in
piping systems has resulted in developing different coefficients to characterize the hydraulic
performance of various devices that obstruct fluid flow. Because engineers view the hydraulic
performance of devices differently, mistakes can be made if the proper concepts and equations
are not applied correctly. These can be costly mistakes in sizing and selecting the wrong
equipment which can mean the difference between the system having sufficient pressure
relieving capacity or the system rupturing during a high pressure relief incident.
From the experiment, we could observe that the fluid passes through the 90⁰ elbow. The
component interrupt the smooth flow of the fluid and cause additional losses because of the flow
separation and mixing the component induced. A theoretical analysis is generally not plausible to
determine the minor losses. Therefore, experiment is carried out to determined the minor losses
which usually expressed in terms of the loss coefficient and resistance coefficient.
The loss coefficient can be obtained directly from the slope of the graph of against .
16
14
12 y = 0.8931x + 4.6179
R² = 0.829
10
8
6
4
2
0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18
V2/2g x 10-6 (mm)
The graph shows that the differential piezometer head increases as the value of
increases. Therefore, is increasing linearly with the . From the slope of the graph, we
For results of better accuracy, long sections of straight pipe are required to establish with
certainty the relative positions of the linear sections of the piezometric lines. However , in a
compact apparatus used in this experiment, only two piezometers are used , one placed
upstreams and the other downstream of the fitting, at sufficient distances to avoid severe
disturbances.
From the data obtained, for the orifice meter high pressure drop is unrecovered this is
due to the flow rate is increased at the opening of the orifice plate and not much energy is lost
but as it flows through and starts slowing down, much of the excess energy is lost. Then as for
the rotameter, the energy losses were significantly higher than the Venturi and orifice
flowmeters. This high energy loss is due to the large drop in pressure due to friction.
For the venturi meter, the value obtained were closer to the actual flow rate this this is
due to lower pressure drop that results from its streamlined shape and almost eliminates
boundary-layer separation and thus form drag is assumed negligible. It has a converging and a
diverging part, Although, there may be some pressure loss in the converging part of the venturi
meter but in a properly designed venturi meter some percentage of pressure loss is attained back
in the diverging part of the meter. This meter is good for high pressure and energy recovery. To
be concluded, venture meter was more accurate compared to orifice meter and rotameter.
Besides, we have to ensure that there is no air bubbles for better accuracy and to avoid
readings error. We can used a pen or screw driver to depress the staddle valve at the top right
side of manometer board. Depress staddle valve lightly to allow fluid and trapped air to escape
out. Allow sufficient time for bleeding to allowing all bubbles escape.
Next, when we take the readings from the manometer, it should be taken at the eye level
which is perpendicular to our eyes to avoid parallax error. We must avoid parallax error to get
the accurate data and result.
We also have to monitor the water level in the manometer board. If the water level in the
manometer board is too high where it is out of visible point, we need to adjust the water level by
using the staddle valve. With the maximum measureable flow rate, retain the maximum readings
on manometer.
Last but not least, the experiment should be repeated three times in order to get average
readings. This will reduce the deviation from theoretical results. To get better results, the
experiment should have been repeated at least twice.
Web
1) http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/pber.html
2) http://www.omega.com/prodinfo/flowmeters.html
3) http://www2.emersonprocess.com/en-us/brands/rosemount/flow/dp-flow-
products/compact-orifice-flowmeters/pages/index.aspx
4) http://www.lmnoeng.com/venturi.php
5) http://www.lmnoeng.com/orifice.php
6) https://www.scribd.com/doc/96259752/SOLTEQ-Flowmeter-Measurement-Apparatus